3 Linear feet ((partially microfilmed on 3 reels))
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Date:
1923-1989
Scope and Contents:
Primarily research material compiled by Smith for her MA Thesis on Arthur Dove (1944, American University), and for the American Art Research Council, and papers relating to Smith's personal life and career as a painter.
REEL 1043: Photocopies of 19 letters and 2 telegrams from Dove and his wife Helen ("Reds") to Smith, 1943-1944 (originals donated in 1992); a card catalog of Dove's paintings; and a typescript of the 1976 revised edition of Smith's master's thesis, "Arthur G. Dove: A Study in Contemporary Art."
REELS 2425-2426: Provenance records for ca. 700 of Dove's paintings and sketches, compiled by Smith under the auspices of the American Art Research Council, containing information about title, ownership, medium, special markings on picture and frame, condition, date of work, and exhibition of work.
UNMICROFILMED: Personal papers relating to Smith's career and civic and social activities in the Washington, D.C. area, 1923-1988, including correspondence, letters to her husband, Gordon H. Smith, while he was an army musician stationed in California in 1944; class notes from her studies at American University; annotated sketchbooks; Smith's wedding album; printed material; and photographs of Smith, relatives and friends, including artist Peter Hurd.
Also included are materials on Dove, 1936-1989, including letters concerning Dove from Georgia O'Keeffe, Alfred Stieglitz, Edward Alden Jewell, Duncan Phillips,and Charles Alan; Smith's 1944 edition of her master's thesis; research notes on Dove, including transcribed Dove writings and correspondence; printed material; slides of Dove's work; and 4 microfilm reels of material collected during her research, portions contained in her papers.
Biographical / Historical:
Art historian, author, painter (1913-1989) of Washington, D.C.
Provenance:
Material on reels 2425-2426 donated 1972 by Nathaly Baum. Material on reel 1043 lent for microfilming 1976 by Smith, and except for the 1976 revised thesis, was subsequently donated along with the unmicrofilmed material 1992 by Daisy Mullet Smith, Smith's daughter.
Restrictions:
Use of original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C., Research Center. Microfilmed materials must be consulted on microfilm. Contact Reference Services for more information.
