The papers of painter, illustrator, and curator Edith Emerson measure 2.1 linear feet and date from 1839 to 1981, with the bulk of the material dating from 1894-1971. Found within the papers are biographical material; letters from friends and colleagues; writings and notes by Emerson and others; artwork, including three sketchbooks; subject files; photographs of Emerson, family, friends, and artwork; and scattered printed material.
Scope and Contents:
The papers of painter, illustrator, and curator Edith Emerson measure 2.1 linear feet and date from 1839 to 1981, with the bulk of the material dating from 1894-1971. Found within the papers are biographical material; letters from friends and colleagues; writings and notes by Emerson and others; artwork, including three sketchbooks; subject files; photographs of Emerson, family, friends, and artwork; and scattered printed material.
Arrangement:
This collection is arranged as 7 series:
Missing Title
Series 1: Biographical Material, circa 1950s (Box 1; 1 Folder)
Series 2: Letters, 1916-1965 (Box 1, OV 3; 0.2 linear feet)
Series 3: Writings and Notes, 1887-1970 (Box 1; 0.3 linear feet)
Series 4: Artwork, 1839, 1882-1954 (Box 1, OV 3; 0.2 linear feet)
Series 5: Subject Files, circa 1865-1955 (Box 1-2; 0.9 linear feet)
Series 6: Photographs, circa 1900-1971 (Box 2; 0.2 linear feet)
Series 7: Printed Material, circa 1916-1981 (Box 2, 6 folders)
Biographical / Historical:
Edith Emerson (1888-1981) was a painter, illustrator, and curator in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Born in Oxford, Ohio, Emerson studied at the Art Institute of Chicago with John Vanderpoel and Thomas Wood Stevens and at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts with Cecilia Beaux, Violet Oakley, and Daniel Garber. She assisted Violet Oakley primarily between 1917 and 1930 and shared her studio from 1918 until Oakley's death in 1961. Emerson served on the Board of Directors of the Woodmere Art Gallery beginning in 1940, subsequently becoming Curator. She was also a founding member of the Violet Oakley Memorial Foundation.
Separated Materials:
Edith Emerson lent four scrapbooks for microfilming in 1977. Loaned material is available on microfilm reels 1186-1187, but is not described in the container listing of this finding aid.
Provenance:
Edith Emerson lent the Archives of American Art material for microfilming in 1977. Addition papers were donated in 1990 by the Free Library of Philadelphia, who received them from Emerson.
Restrictions:
Use of original papers 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 -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia Search this
Muralists -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia Search this
Illustrators -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia Search this
Art museum curators -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia Search this
