Donald Martin Stadtner

Donald Martin Stadtner is an American art historian known for his publications on South and Southeast Asian art. After completing his Ph.D. in the 1970s, he became a professor at the University of Texas in Austin and made multiple trips to Asian countries including India, Myanmar, and Japan focused on their art history and religious iconography. His research has frequently discussed Buddhist imagery and temples throughout the region. He has organized several exhibits in United States museums and other functions to showcase pieces an photos of his research, along with published books and art catalogues on the subject.

Education and career Stadtner completed his Ph.D. in art history from the University of California at Berkeley in 1976 with a thesis titled From Sirpur to Rājim: The Art of Kosala During the Seventh Century. and later an associate professor. His early research was on the art of India, including temples and art connected to Buddhist traditions. In 1979, he went on a trip to India and Japan through a Fulbright Grant to continue his studies before returning to the University of Texas to teach in the 1980 fall term.

Collaborating with Sylvia Fraser-Lu in 2015, Stadtner organized an exhibit titled "Buddhist Art of Myanmar" at the Asia Society museum headquarters in New York City. They worked with the curator, Adriana Proser, to showcase different aspects of the Buddha throughout many periods of Myanmar's history with collection pieces loaned from Myanmar museums and various US organizations.

Publications Stadtner has published several books and numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals and co-authored two museum catalogues.

Personal life Stadtner lives in Walnut Creek, California.