The collection is arranged as 6 series: Series 1: Biographical Information, 1995-1996 (Box 1; 2 folders) Series 2: Correspondence, 1959-1990 (Box 1; 0.6 linear feet) Series 3: Professional Files, 1947-1986 (Boxes 1-6, OV18; 5.2 linear feet) Series 4: Getty Museum Files, 1978-1991 (Boxes 6-9; 1.7 linear feet) Series 5: National Endowment for the Arts, Arts and Artifacts Indemnity Files, 1976 (Box 9; 0.2 linear feet) Series 6: Scrapbooks, 1932-1977 (Boxes 10-17; 2.4 linear feet)
Access Note / Rights:
Use of original papers requires an appointment.
Summary:
The papers of museum director, art consultant and curator Otto Wittmann (1911-2001)date from 1932 to 1996 and measure 10.1 linear feet. The bulk of the collection consists of correspondence and other files concerning Wittmann's career as Director of the Toledo Museum of Art and as trustee and acting chief curator of the Getty Museum in Los Angeles. Eleven scrapbooks contain materials primarily relating to the activities of the Toledo Museum of Art, but also contain documentation of Wittmann's World War II service in the Art Looting Investigation Unit (ALIU) of the U.S. Office of Strategic Services, the precursor to the present day CIA. Also found within the papers are files relating to his work with the National Endownment of the Arts, Arts and Artifacts Indemnification Committee, scattered biographical information, and personal correspondence.
Citation:
Otto Wittmann papers, 1932-1996. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.
Funding:
Funding for the processing of this collection was provided by the Samuel H. Kress Foundation.
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.
Related Materials:
The Archives of American Art has an oral history interview with Otto Wittmann conducted by Paul Cummings on August 19-20, 1976, and another conducted by Thomas Carr Howe on October 25, 1976.
Biography Note:
Otto Wittmann (1911-2001) was director of the Toledo Museum of Art in Toledo Ohio from 1959-1976. He left Toledo to work as an arts consultant, trustee, and acting chief curator for the Getty Museum in Los Angeles from 1978 though 1989. During World War II, he served in the Army Air Force and as a special intelligence officer assigned to locate and return works of art looted by the Nazis.
Language Note:
English .
Provenance:
Otto Wittmann donated his papers to the Archives of American Art in 1991 and 1995.
Location Note:
Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution, 750 9th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
