The Archives of American art does not own the original papers. Use is limited to the microfilm copy.
Summary:
2 notebooks, one labeled "Paintings/Watercolor/Landscapes" (79 pages) and the other "Decoration/Fresco/Drawings/Misc./Oils" (129 pages) containing titles and descriptions of works completed; lists of works exhibited at the Society of Independent Artists, 1917-1941; 3 exhibition catalogs and announcements, undated, 1963-1964; 2 scrapbooks containing correspondence and articles associated with Ms. Whitney; 1 album of 34 photographs of Ms. Whitney from infancy to young adulthood, of her family and friends, and of her murals; 2 samples of floral fabric designs and 1 sample of wallpaper designed for Katzenbach & Warren, Inc.
3 watercolor studies for murals; 1 pen and ink drawing of the trademark for Whitney Work Stop Motion Silk; 18 photographs of Ms. Whitney, her family, and works of art; and 3 letters from Dawn Langley Simmons to Robert Coggins regarding Ms. Whitney's paintings, 1972-1973.
Citation:
Isabel Lydia Whitney papers, 1832-1973. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.
Additional Forms:
35mm microfilm reel 3615 available at Archives of American Art offices and through interlibrary loan.
Location of Originals:
Originals returned to Robert Coggins after microfilming.
Loan:
Loan
Biography Note:
Painter. Known as the first woman fresco painter in America. Studied at Pratt Institute. Using Cennino Cennini's fifteenth century book on fresco painting as a guide, Ms. Whitney devised her own fresco formulas that could better endure the harsh New York climate. Her career as a fresco painter ended, however, after a crippling fall but she was to continue to work in watercolors and oils. Ms. Whitney also decorated homes of the famous, restored old houses, and designed wallpaper (including restoration of the Williamsburg prints). She exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum, Fifteen Gallery, Pen & Brush Club, and others.
Ms. Whitney is a direct descendant of William Penn and Eli Whitney.
Language Note:
English .
Provenance:
Lent for microfilming 1985 by Robert P. Coggins.
Location Note:
Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution, 750 9th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
Topic:
Mural painting and decoration -- New York (State) -- Brooklyn Search this
Texile design -- New York (State) -- Brooklyn Search this
