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Rockwell Kent papers

Creator:
Kent, Rockwell, 1882-1971  Search this
Names:
American Artists' Congress  Search this
Artists League of America  Search this
Artists' Union (New York, N.Y.)  Search this
Citizens' Committee for Government Arts Projects  Search this
Farmers Union of the New York Milk Shed  Search this
Federal Art Project  Search this
Federal Writers' Project  Search this
International Workers Order  Search this
Macbeth Gallery  Search this
National Farmers' Union (U.S.)  Search this
National Maritime Union of America  Search this
United American Artists  Search this
United Office and Professional Workers of America  Search this
United Scenic Artists  Search this
Boyesen, Bayard  Search this
Chamberlain, J. E.  Search this
Chase, William Merritt, 1849-1916  Search this
Cleland, T. M. (Thomas Maitland), 1880-1964  Search this
Daniel, Charles, 1878-1971  Search this
Davies, Arthur B. (Arthur Bowen), 1862-1928  Search this
DuBois, W.E.B. (William Edward Burghardt), 1868-1963  Search this
Fitzgerald, James, 1899-1971  Search this
Freuchen, Peter, 1886-1957  Search this
Gellert, Hugo, 1892-1985  Search this
Gottlieb, Harry, 1895-  Search this
Hartley, Marsden, 1877-1943  Search this
Hays, Lee, 1914-1981  Search this
Henri, Robert, 1865-1929  Search this
Jones, Dan Burne  Search this
Keller, Charles, 1914-2006  Search this
Miller, Kenneth Hayes, 1876-1952  Search this
Nearing, Helen  Search this
Nearing, Scott, 1883-1983  Search this
Pach, Walter, 1883-1958  Search this
Phillips, Duncan, 1886-1966  Search this
Rasmussen, Knud, 1879-1933  Search this
Reeves, Ruth, 1892-1966  Search this
Robeson, Paul, 1898-1976  Search this
Roosevelt, Franklin D. (Franklin Delano), 1882-1945  Search this
Ruggles, Carl, 1876-1971  Search this
Seeger, Pete, 1919-2014  Search this
Stefansson, Vilhjalmur, 1879-1962  Search this
Untermeyer, Louis, 1885-1977  Search this
Wildenstein, Felix, 1883-1952  Search this
Zigrosser, Carl, 1891-  Search this
Extent:
88 Linear feet
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Poems
Sketches
Business records
Photographs
Drawings
Date:
circa 1840-1993
bulk 1935-1961
Summary:
The Rockwell Kent papers measure 88.0 linear feet and date from circa 1840 to 1993 with the bulk of the collection dating from 1935 to 1961. The collection provides comprehensive coverage of Kent's career as a painter, illustrator, designer, writer, lecturer, traveler, political activist, and dairy farmer.
Scope and Content Note:
The Rockwell Kent papers measure 88 linear feet and date from circa 1840 to 1993 with the bulk of the collection dating from 1935 to 1961. The collection provides comprehensive coverage of Kent's career as a painter, illustrator, designer, writer, lecturer, traveler, political activist, and dairy farmer.

Circumstances surrounding the acquisition of the papers are highlighted in an article by Garnett McCoy ("The Rockwell Kent Papers," in the Archives of American Art Journal, 12, no. 1 [January 1972]: 1-9), recommended reading for researchers interested in the collection. The collection is remarkably complete, for in the mid 1920s Kent began keeping carbon copies of all outgoing letters, eventually employing a secretary (who became his third wife and continued her office duties for the remainder of Kent's life).

Series 1: Alphabetical Files contain Kent's personal and professional correspondence, along with business records of the dairy farm and associated enterprises; also included are printed matter on a wide variety of topics and promotional literature relating to organizations and causes of interest to him. Voluminous correspondence with his three wives, five children, and other relatives, as well as with literally hundreds of friends, both lifelong and of brief duration, illuminates Kent's private life and contributes to understanding of his complex character. Among the many correspondents of note are: his art teachers William Merritt Chase, Robert Henri, and Kenneth Hayes Miller; fellow artists Tom Cleland, Arthur B. Davies, James Fitzgerald, Hugo Gellert, Harry Gottleib, Marsden Hartley, Charles Keller, and Ruth Reeves; collectors Duncan Phillips and Dan Burne Jones; critics J. E. Chamberlain and Walter Pach; and dealers Charles Daniel, Felix Wildenstein, and Macbeth Galleries. Kent corresponded with such diverse people as Arctic explorers Peter Freuchen, Knud Rasmussen, and Vilhjalmar Steffanson; composer Carl Ruggles and songwriters Lee Hays and Pete Seeger; civil rights pioneers Paul Robeson and Dr. W. E. B. Du Bois; writers Bayard Boyesen, Scott and Helen Nearing, and Louis Untermeyer; and art historian and print curator Carl Zigrosser.

Kent's interest and involvement in the labor movement are reflected in correspondence with officials and members of a wide variety and large number of unions and related organizations, among them: the Farmers' Educational and Cooperative Union of America, Farmers' Union of the New York Milk Shed, International Workers Order, National Maritime Union, and United Office and Professional Workers of America. Of special interest is his participation, often in leadership roles, in various attempts to organize artists. Files on the American Artists' Congress, Artists League of America, The Artists Union, United American Artists, and United Scenic Artists contain particularly valuable material on the movement.

A supporter of New Deal efforts to aid artists, Kent was actively interested in the various programs and often was critical of their limitations; he advocated continuing federal aid to artists after the Depression abated. The Kent papers include correspondence with the Federal Arts Project, Federal Fine Arts Project, Federal Writers Project, and the War Department, as well as correspondence with the Citizens' Committee for Government Art Projects and President Franklin D. Roosevelt on the subject.

Kent's professional correspondence documents exhibitions, sales, consignments, and reproduction of prints and paintings. He kept meticulous records of his advertising commissions and illustration work. Detailed correspondence with publishers and printers indicates Kent's involvement in the technical aspects of production and provides a good overview of the publishing industry during the mid-twentieth century.

Business records of Asgaard Farm include records of the dairy and transfer of ownership to its employees, tax and employee information, and documents concerning several related business ventures such as distributor ships for grain, feed, and farm implements.

Series 2: Writings consists of notes, drafts, and completed manuscripts by Rockwell Kent, mainly articles, statements, speeches, poems, introductions, and reviews. The Kent Collection given to Friendship House, Moscow, in 1960, was augmented later by a set of his publications and the illustrated manuscripts of many of his monographs. Also included are a small number of manuscripts by other authors.

Series 3: Artwork consists mainly of drawings and sketches by Kent; also included are works on paper by other artists, many of whom are unidentified, and by children.

Series 4: Printed Matter consists of clippings, exhibition catalogs and announcements, brochures, broadsides, programs, and newsletters. These include items by and about Kent and his family, as well as articles written and/or illustrated by him, and reviews of his books. There is also material on a variety of subjects and causes of interest to him. Additional printed matter is included among the alphabetical files, mainly as attachments to correspondence.

Series 5: Miscellaneous includes biographical material, legal documents, and memorabilia. Artifacts received with papers include textile samples, a silk scarf, dinnerware, ice bucket, and rubber stamp, all featuring designs by Rockwell Kent. Also with this series are a variety of documents including a phrenological analysis of an ancestor, lists of supplies for expeditions, a hand-drawn map of an unidentified place, and technical notes regarding art materials and techniques.

Series 6: Photographs includes photographs of Kent, his family and friends, travel, and art number that over one thousand. Also included here are several albums of family and travel photographs.
Arrangement:
The collection is arranged into six series. Series 1 is arranged alphabetically. The arrangement of the remaining series is explained in each series description. Note that sealed materials that became available in 2000 were microfilmed separately on reels 5740-5741, but have integrated into this finding aid.

Missing Title

Series 1: Alphabetical Files, circa 1900-1971, undated (Reels 5153-5249, 5256, 5740-5741)

Series 2: Writings, 1906-1978, undated (Reels 5249-5252, 5741)

Series 3: Art Work, 1910-1972, undated (Reels 5252, 5741)

Series 4: Printed Matter, 1905-1993, undated (Reels 5252-5254)

Series 5: Miscellaneous, 1859-1969, undated (Reels 5254, 5741)

Series 6: Photographs, circa 1840-1970, undated (Reels 5254-5255, 5741)
Biographical Note:
Rockwell Kent (1882-1971), an energetic and multitalented man, pursued many interests and careers during his very long and active life. At various times he was an architect, draftsman, carpenter, unskilled laborer, painter, illustrator, printmaker, commercial artist, designer, traveler/explorer, writer, professional lecturer, dairy farmer, and political activist.

While studying architecture at Columbia University, Kent enrolled in William Merritt Chase's summer school at Shinnecock Hills, Long Island. He then redirected his career ambitions toward painting and continued to study with Chase in New York. Kent spent a summer working and living with Abbott H. Thayer in Dublin, New Hampshire, and attended the New York School of Art, where Robert Henri and Kenneth Hayes Miller were his teachers.

Critically and financially, Kent was a successful artist. He was very well known for his illustration work--particularly limited editions of the classics, bookplates, and Christmas cards. He was a prolific printmaker, and his prints and paintings were acquired by many major museums and private collectors. During the post-World War II era, Kent's political sympathies resulted in the loss of commissions, and his adherence to artistic conservatism and outspoken opposition to modern art led to disfavor within art circles. After many years of declining reputation in this country and unsuccessful attempts to find a home for the Kent Collection, Kent gave his unsold paintings--the majority of his oeuvre--to the Soviet Union, where he continued to be immensely popular.

An avid traveler, Kent was especially fascinated by remote, Arctic lands and often stayed for extended periods of time to paint, write, and become acquainted with the local inhabitants. Between 1918 and 1935, he wrote and illustrated several popular books about his experiences in Alaska, Tierra del Fuego, and Greenland. In the 1930s and 1940s, Kent was much in demand as a lecturer, making several nationwide tours under the management of a professional lecture bureau; he spoke mainly about his travels, but among his standard lectures were some on "art for the people."

In 1927, Kent purchased Asgaard Farm at AuSable Forks, New York, in the Adirondacks, where he lived for the remainder of his life, operating a modern dairy farm on a modest scale for many years.

As a young man, Kent met Rufus Weeks, became committed to social justice, and joined the Socialist Party. Throughout his life, he supported left-wing causes and was a member or officer of many organizations promoting world peace and harmonious relations with the Soviet Union, civil rights, civil liberties, antifascism, and organized labor. Kent was frequently featured as a celebrity sponsor or speaker at fund-raising events for these causes. In 1948, he ran unsuccessfully as the American Labor Party's candidate for Congress. Kent's unpopular political views eventually led to the dissolution of his dairy business, resulted in a summons to appear before the House Un-American Activities Committee, and prompted the U.S. State Department to deny him a passport, an action that subsequently was overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Kent wrote two autobiographies, This Is My Own (1940) and It's Me, O Lord (1955). In 1969, he was the subject of an oral history interview conducted by Paul Cummings for the Archives of American Art.
Provenance:
In 1969, Rockwell Kent donated his papers to the Archives of American Art; textile samples were received in 1979, and his widow gave additional papers in 1971 and 1996. Letters to Rockwell Kent from wives Frances and Sally, sealed during Sally Kent Gorton's lifetime, became available for research after her death in 2000, and further material was donated to the Archives of American Art in 2001 by the Estate of Sally Kent [Shirley Johnstone] Gorton.
Restrictions:
The microfilm of this collection has been digitized and is available online via AAA's website. Use of material not microfilmed or digitized requires an appointment.
Rights:
The Archives of American Art makes its archival collections available for non-commercial, educational and personal use unless restricted by copyright and/or donor restrictions, including but not limited to access and publication restrictions. AAA makes no representations concerning such rights and restrictions and it is the user's responsibility to determine whether rights or restrictions exist and to obtain any necessary permission to access, use, reproduce and publish the collections. Please refer to the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for additional information.
Occupation:
Painters -- New York (State)  Search this
Topic:
Designers -- New York (State)  Search this
Mural painting and decoration  Search this
Politics and culture  Search this
Authors -- New York  Search this
Art, Modern -- 20th century -- United States -- Political aspects  Search this
Dairy farms  Search this
Federal aid to the arts  Search this
Illustrators -- New York (State)  Search this
Illustration of books  Search this
Works of art  Search this
Art and war  Search this
Commercial art  Search this
World War, 1939-1945 -- Art and the war  Search this
Function:
Labor unions
Genre/Form:
Poems
Sketches
Business records
Photographs
Drawings
Citation:
Rockwell Kent papers, circa 1840-1993, bulk 1935-1961. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.
Identifier:
AAA.kentrock
See more items in:
Rockwell Kent papers
Archival Repository:
Archives of American Art
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/mw97edd9940-eb61-4562-9583-def2da778b6a
EDAN-URL:
ead_collection:sova-aaa-kentrock

Explorers of the Danish Fifth Thule Expedition

Author:
Hansen, Leo  Search this
Subject:
Bangsted, Helge  Search this
Rasmussen, Knud 1879-1933  Search this
Birket-Smith, Kaj 1893-  Search this
Mathiassen, Therkel 1892-  Search this
Freuchen, Peter 1886-1957  Search this
Pedersen, Peder  Search this
Oleson, Jacob  Search this
Thule Expedition (5th : 1921-1924) Report of the Fifth Thule Expedition, 1921-24  Search this
Physical description:
Number of Images: 1; Color: Sepia; Size: 10w x 6h; Type of Image: Group, candid; Medium: Photographic print
Type:
Photographic print
Group, candid
Place:
Alaska
Date:
1924
Topic:
Arctic  Search this
Explorers  Search this
Inuit  Search this
Indians of North America  Search this
Scientific expeditions  Search this
Translators  Search this
Standard number:
2005-8627
Restrictions & Rights:
No restrictions
Data Source:
Smithsonian Archives - History Div
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:siris_sic_11491

Mammals, by Magnus Degerbøl and Peter Freuchen

Author:
Degerbøl, Magnus 1895-  Search this
Freuchen, Peter 1886-1957  Search this
Rask-Ørsted fondet  Search this
Physical description:
278 p. illus., fold. map. 29 cm
Type:
Books
Place:
Northwest, Canadian
Arctic regions
Date:
1935
Topic:
Mammals  Search this
Call number:
QL721.5.N67 D43 1935Y
QL721.5.N67D43 1935Y
Data Source:
Smithsonian Libraries
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:siris_sil_445571

Peter Freuchen's Book of the Eskimos / edited and with a pref. by Dagmar Freuchen

Title:
Book of the Eskimos
Author:
Freuchen, Peter 1886-1957  Search this
Physical description:
441 p. : ill. ; 25 cm
Type:
Books
Date:
1961
Topic:
Eskimos  Search this
Data Source:
Smithsonian Libraries
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:siris_sil_306735

Zoology I : mammals / by Magnus Degerbøl and Peter Freuchen

Author:
Degerbøl, Magnus 1895-  Search this
Freuchen, Peter 1886-1957  Search this
Subject:
Thule Expedition (5th : 1921-1924)  Search this
Physical description:
278 p., [1] fold. leaf of plates : ill. ; 24 cm
Type:
Books
Place:
Canada, Northern
Arctic regions
Date:
1976
1935
Topic:
Mammals  Search this
Call number:
QL721.5.N67 D43 1976X
QL721.5.N67D43 1976X
Data Source:
Smithsonian Libraries
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:siris_sil_81630

Ice floes and flaming water; a true adventure in Melville Bay. Translated from the Norwegian by Johan Hambro

Author:
Freuchen, Peter 1886-1957  Search this
Physical description:
242 p. 22 cm
Type:
Books
Place:
Greenland
Melville Bay (Greenland)
Date:
1954
[1954]
Topic:
Eskimos  Search this
Call number:
G765.M4 F7X
G765.M4F7X
Data Source:
Smithsonian Libraries
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:siris_sil_36652

It's all adventure

Author:
Freuchen, Peter 1886-1957  Search this
Physical description:
508 p. illus. 24 cm
Type:
Books
Date:
1941
[1941]
Topic:
Voyages and travels  Search this
Adventure and adventurers  Search this
Call number:
G530 .F89i
G530.F89i
Data Source:
Smithsonian Libraries
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:siris_sil_35175

I sailed with Rasmussen

Author:
Freuchen, Peter 1886-1957  Search this
Subject:
Rasmussen, Knud 1879-1933  Search this
Physical description:
224 p. illus. 22 cm
Type:
Books
Date:
1958
[1958]
Call number:
G635.R3 F73X
G635.R3F73X
Data Source:
Smithsonian Libraries
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:siris_sil_37562

Eskimo = Der Storfanger / by Peter Freuchen ; translated by A. Paul Maerker-Branden and Elsa Branden

Author:
Freuchen, Peter 1886-1957  Search this
Physical description:
vii, 504 p., [1] leaf of plates : front. ; 21 cm
Type:
Books
Date:
1931
C1931
Call number:
PT8175.F65 S88 E1931
PT8175.F65S88 E1931
Data Source:
Smithsonian Libraries
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:siris_sil_67312

The Peter Freuchen reader / a selection by Dagmar Freuchen

Author:
Freuchen, Peter 1886-1957  Search this
Freuchen, Dagmar  Search this
Subject:
Freuchen, Peter 1886-1957  Search this
Physical description:
471 p. ; 25 cm
Type:
Books
Date:
1965
[1965]
Data Source:
Smithsonian Libraries
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:siris_sil_980376

Peter Freuchen's book of the seven seas / by Peter Freuchen, with David Loth

Title:
Book of the seven seas
Author:
Freuchen, Peter 1886-1957  Search this
Physical description:
512 p. : ill. ; 24 cm
Type:
Books
Date:
1957
Topic:
Adventure and adventurers  Search this
Ocean  Search this
Call number:
G525 .F74 1957
Data Source:
Smithsonian Libraries
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:siris_sil_523921

Vagrant Viking; my life and adventures. Translated from the Danish by Johan Hambro

Author:
Freuchen, Peter 1886-1957  Search this
Physical description:
422 p. illus. 22 cm
Type:
Books
Date:
1953
[1953]
Topic:
Adventure and adventurers  Search this
Call number:
G530 .F89X
G530.F89X
Data Source:
Smithsonian Libraries
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:siris_sil_24143

The Arctic year [by] Peter Freuchen and Finn Salomonsen

Author:
Freuchen, Peter 1886-1957  Search this
Salomonsen, Finn 1909-1983  Search this
Physical description:
438 p. illus. 22 cm
Type:
Books
Place:
Arctic regions
Date:
1958
[1958]
Topic:
Natural history  Search this
Call number:
QH199.F7 1958X
Data Source:
Smithsonian Libraries
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:siris_sil_216141

Arctic adventure; my life in the frozen North, by Peter Freuchen; illustrated with photographs and maps

Author:
Freuchen, Peter 1886-1957  Search this
Physical description:
xi, 467 p. incl. illus., ports., maps. front. 24 cm
Type:
Books
Place:
Greenland
Arctic regions
Date:
1935
[c1935]
Topic:
Eskimos  Search this
Description and travel  Search this
Call number:
G743 .F7 1935aX
G743.F7 1935aX
Data Source:
Smithsonian Libraries
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:siris_sil_24151

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