This collecton contains six series. Series 1: Biographical Material, circa 1930-1961 (.1 Linear feet: Box 1) Series 2: Correspondence, circa 1933-1981 (.2 Linear feet: Box 1) Series 3: Writings, circa 1930-1978 (.7 Linear feet: Box 1) Series 4: Printed Material, circa 1924-1970 (1.1 Linear feet: Box 2, OV 5, and OV 6) Series 5: Photographic Material, circa 1893-1960 (1.7 Linear feet: Boxes 2-4, OV 7, and OV 8) Series 6: Artwork, circa 1934 (.1 Linear feet: Box 3)
Access Note / Rights:
This collection is open for research. Access to original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C. Research Center.
Summary:
The papers of Dean Cornwell measure 3.9 linear feet and date from circa 1893-1981. They illustrate his career through biographical material, correspondence, writings, printed and photographic material, and artwork.
Citation:
Dean Cornwell papers, 1893-1981. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.
Additional Forms:
Portions of the collection are available on 35mm microfilm reels 3781-3783 at the Archives of American Art offices and through interlibrary loan. Researchers should note that the arrangement of material described in the container inventory does not reflect the arrangement of the collection on microfilm.
Funding:
The processing of this collection received Federal support from the Smithsonian Collections Care and Preservation Fund, administered by the National Collections Program and the Smithsonian Collections Advisory Committee.
Use Note:
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.
Biography Note:
Dean Cornwell (1892-1960) was a muralist, painter, and illustrator who worked primarily in New York.
Cornwell was born in Louisville, Kentucky. He began his career as a cartoonist for the Louisville Herald and then moved to Chicago where he studied at the Art Institute and worked for the Chicago Tribune . In 1915 he moved to New Rochelle, New York where he studied under Harvey Dunn at the Art Students League of New York. Eventually he traveled to London where he began to study mural painting under Frank Brangwyn.
Cornwell was a teacher at the Art Students League in New York, served as President of the Society of Illustrators (1922-1926), and was elected to its Hall of Fame in 1959. In 1934, he was elected Associate Academician into the National Academy of Design, and became a full Academician in 1940. He also served as president of the National Society of Mural painters from 1953 to 1957. At the peak of his career, he earned the nickname "Dean of Illustrators".
Cornwell's artwork was featured in multiple publications including Cosmopolitan , Harper's Bazaar , Redbook , and Good Housekeeping . He painted many murals during his career including those found in the Sir Walter Raleigh Room in the Hotel Warwick, the Lincoln Memorial Shrine in Redlands, and the General Motors Mural at the 1939 World's Fair in New York.
Cornwell died on December 4th, 1960 at the age of sixty-eight in New York City.
Language Note:
English .
Provenance:
Papers were donated in 1984 by Lucy Cornwell, daughter of Dean Cornwell.
Location Note:
Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution, 750 9th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
Topic:
Mural painting and decoration, American Search this
Mural painting and decoration -- 20th century -- United States Search this
