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Catalog Data

Creator:
Ramos, Mel, 1935-2018  Search this
Names:
Alloway, Lawrence, 1926-1990  Search this
Lichtenstein, Roy, 1923-1997  Search this
Thiebaud, Wayne  Search this
Wesselmann, Tom, 1931-2004  Search this
Extent:
0.6 Linear feet
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Works of art
Interviews
Date:
1959-1984
Summary:
The papers of California pop artist and teacher Mel Ramos measure 0.6 linear feet and date from 1959 to 1984. The collection documents Ramos's career as an artist through correspondence with Lawrence Alloway, Dwan Gallery, Roy Lichtenstein, David Stuart, and Tom Wesselman, among others; a few inventories, invoices, and loan agreements; documentation of his work with the San Francisco Art Institute; and exhibition announcements and catalogs. Writings include two manuscripts on Ramos and the Pop Art movement, a one-page interview of Ramos, and poetry by Robin Skelton. Of interest in the collection, are files containing photographs, photo-collages, and clippings used for paintings such as "Elephant Seal," "Virnaburger," and "Manet's Olympia."
Scope and Contents:
The papers of California pop artist and teacher Mel Ramos measure 0.6 linear feet and date from 1959 to 1984. The collection documents Ramos's career as an artist through correspondence with Lawrence Alloway, Dwan Gallery, Roy Lichtenstein, David Stuart, and Tom Wesselman, among others; a few inventories, invoices, and loan agreements; documentation of his work with the San Francisco Art Institute; and exhibition announcements and catalogs. Writings include two manuscripts on Ramos and the Pop Art movement, a one-page interview of Ramos, and poetry by Robin Skelton. Of interest in the collection, are files containing photographs, photo-collages, and clippings used for paintings such as "Elephant Seal," "Virnaburger," and "Manet's Olympia."
Arrangement:
Due to the small size of this collection, the papers are arranged as one series.
Biographical / Historical:
Mel Ramos (1935-2018), born Melvin John Ramos, was a painter, pop artist, and teacher in California. Ramos was born in Sacramento, California. In 1955 he married Leta Helmers, who served as a model for many of his early paintings. Ramos received his M.A. from Sacramento State College in 1958 and taught a Mira Loma High School. In 1963 his work was included in Six More, a major exhibition of Pop Art at the Los Angeles County Museum. One year later he had his first solo show in New York at Bianchini Gallery. In 1965, he began showing his art at David Stuart Gallery in Los Angeles. Ramos also had a long career (1966-1997) as a professor at California State University, East Bay.
Related Materials:
Also found at the Archives of American Art is an interview of Mel Ramos conducted on May 15, 1981, by Paul Karlstrom.
Provenance:
The collection was donated by Mel Ramos in July 1985.
Restrictions:
Use of original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C., Research Center.
Occupation:
Painters -- California -- Oakland  Search this
Topic:
Painting, Modern -- 20th century -- California  Search this
Pop art  Search this
Hispanic American artists  Search this
Genre/Form:
Works of art
Interviews
Citation:
Mel Ramos papers, 1959-1984. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.
Identifier:
AAA.ramomel
See more items in:
Mel Ramos papers
Archival Repository:
Archives of American Art
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/mw9396dffb6-c3c3-4a98-b59e-8a5a41d1a345
EDAN-URL:
ead_collection:sova-aaa-ramomel