An interview of George McNeil conducted by Dorothy Seckler for the Archives of American Art. McNeil speaks of his childhood and his family; becoming interested in art during high school; attending Pratt Institute, and not being satisfied there; deciding to drop out of Pratt after attending a lecture from Vaclav Vytlacil; going to the Metropolitan Museum every day drawing and analyzing paintings; meeting Arshile Gorky while at the Metropolitan Museum; attending the Art Students League; studying with Hans Hofmann; the start of the American Abstract Artists; his involvement in the WPA's mural project; attending Teachers College at Columbia before joining the Navy; re-entering the New York art scene during the forties and liking it very much; meeting and being influenced by Pollock; his views on the state of painting; how his work has evolved; the various stages in the way a painting developed for him; how The Club and the Eighth Street Club has influenced him; the ideas discussed at The Club, and how he feels surrealism was not a big influence on them; Jackson Pollock's influence on abstract expressionism; artists he admires or has admired; and his thoughts on the contemporary art scene. He recalls Vaclav Vytlacil, Arshile Gorky, Jan Matulka, David Smith, Dorothy Dehner, Edgar Levy, Leo Manso, Burgoyne Diller, Irene Rice Pereira, Hans Hofmann, Jo Hopper, Giorgio Cavallon, Linda Lindaberg (Cavallon), Mercedes Kahls, George Byron Brown, Albert Swinden, Willem de Kooning, Jackson Pollack, Franz Kline, Jack Tworkov, Ad Reinhardt, Mark Rothko, and many others.
Biographical / Historical:
George McNeil (1908-1995) was a painter and a printmaker in Brooklyn, N.Y.
General:
Originally recorded on 2 sound tapes. Reformatted in 2010 as 4 digital wav files. Duration is 1 hr., 49 min.
Provenance:
This interview is part of the Archives' Oral History Program, started in 1958 to document the history of the visual arts in the United States, primarily through interviews with artists, historians, dealers, critics and others.
Restrictions:
Transcript is available on the Archives of American Art's website.
An interview of Emma Amos conducted 1968 October 3, by Al Murray, for the Archives of American Art.
Amos speaks of the development of her interest in art and her early influences, her education at Antioch, Black politics and the problems facing Black artists, image problems among Black people, her travels in Europe, her interests in different media, and the effect of marriage and motherhood on her work.
Biographical / Historical:
Emma Amos (1937-2020) was a painter and printmaker in New York, New York.
Provenance:
This interview is part of the Archives of American Art Oral History Program, started in 1958 to document the history of the visual arts in the United States, primarily through interviews with artists, historians, dealers, critics and others. Funding for this interview provided by the New York State Council on the Arts.
Restrictions:
This interview transcript is open for research. No audio exists. Contact Reference Services for more information.
Occupation:
Painters -- New York (State) -- New York Search this
Printmakers -- New York (State) -- New York Search this
An interview of Robert Blackburn conducted 1970 December 4, by Paul Cummings, for the Archives of American Art. Blackburn speaks of his early life in Jamaica and New York; the influences of his youth including school, gangs, religion, art, music, and culture; the Harlem Community Art Center; studying with Charles Alston; the difficulties suffered by Black artists trying to gain recognition in a white-dominated art world; attending the Art Students League and studying under Vaclav Vytlacil and Will Barnet; his work with children; his film work at the Harmon Foundation; financial problems; the Printmaking Workshop; attending New York University's School of Visual Arts and the Cooper Union School; Black people in the arts; and the influence of music on his paintings. He recalls Jacob Lawrence, Will Barnet, Vaclav Vytlacil, Wallace Harrison, Tatyana Grosman, Grace Hartigan, Sam Francis, and Robert Rauschenberg.
Biographical / Historical:
Robert Blackburn (1920-) was a printmaker from New York, New York.
General:
Originally recorded 2 sound tape reels. Reformatted in 2010 as 6 digital wav files. Duration is 3 hr., 28 min.
Provenance:
This interview is part of the Archives' Oral History Program, started in 1958 to document the history of the visual arts in the United States, primarily through interviews with artists, historians, dealers, critics and others.
Occupation:
Printmakers -- New York (State) -- New York Search this
Nancy Spero (1926-2009) was a painter, printmaker, and sculptor in New York, N.Y. Carol Homick is an artist who was a Spero's colleague.
Related Materials:
The Archives of American Art also holds the papers of Nancy Spero, 1940s-2009.
Provenance:
Donated in 2023 by Carol Homick Kiendl.
Restrictions:
This collection is open for research. Access to original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C. Research Center.
Rights:
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.
Occupation:
Sculptors -- New York (State) -- New York Search this
Printmakers -- New York (State) -- New York Search this
Painters -- New York (State) -- New York Search this
The papers of painter and printmaker Leah Gold measure 1.0 linear feet and date from 1939 to 1975. The papers focus on Gold's exhibition career in the New York City area. Found are biographical materials; correspondence with institutions and organizations and designer Ruth Reeves; photographs; printed materials including clippings and detailed exhibition material; and a sketchbook of pencil drawings by Gold and Hans Hofmann.
Scope and Contents:
The papers of painter and printmaker Leah Gold measure 1.0 linear feet and date from 1939 to 1975. The papers focus on Gold's exhibition career in the New York City area. Found are biographical materials; correspondence with institutions and organizations and designer Ruth Reeves; photographs; printed materials including clippings and detailed exhibition material; and a sketchbook of pencil drawings by Gold and Hans Hofmann.
Arrangement:
Due to the small size of this collection the papers are arranged as one series.
Biographical / Historical:
Leah Gold was a painter and printmaker in New York City, New York. She was included in many exhibitions in New York City and throughout the United States. She was an active member of the Artists Equity Association.
Provenance:
The collection was donated 1975 by Leah Gold.
Restrictions:
This collection is open for research. Access to original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C. Research Center.
Rights:
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.
Occupation:
Painters -- New York (State) -- New York Search this
Printmakers -- New York (State) -- New York Search this
Photographs, business correspondence, printed matter, writings, and miscellaneous files documenting Wilmarth's career as a sculptor and printmaker, 1956-1987, and his teaching activities at Cooper Union, 1970-1980.
Photographs, color transparencies, and color slides of pieces of Wilmarth's studio at the time of his death (with estate inventory), of works owned by collectors and museums, and of some destroyed pieces. Business correspondence concerns gallery representation, exhibitions, sales, proposals and commissions, and grants and awards; also documented is Wilmarth's "Studio for the First Amendment," and a dispute with Andre Emmerich Gallery in 1978. Miscellaneous files include information on artists' rights with sample contracts; notes on shipping, crating, framing, and related services, with invoices; detailed installation instructions, both general and for specific pieces; insurance and damage claims.
Printed matter consists mainly of reviews and criticism, exhibition catalogs, and invitations. Records concerning Wilmarth's teaching career include photographs of works by individual students, installation views of student exhibitions, class rosters and grade sheets, course descriptions, class assignments/problems, correspondence with college administrators, and ephemera (possibly souvenirs collected by students on a class trip).
Arrangement:
I. Works in the Wilmarth estate. II. Works owned by others. III. Awards and grants. IV. Commissions and proposals. V. Packing, shipping, and installation notes. VI. "Emmerich War." VII. Studio for the First Amendment. VIII. Studios. IX. Exhibitions. X. Writings. XI. Reviews. XII. Correspondence. XIII. Teaching. XIV. Miscellaneous. Exhibitions filed alphabetically by the name of the museum or gallery, and correspondence arranged alphabetically within the subcategories of publications, individuals, museums and galleries; all other material is arranged chronologically.
Biographical / Historical:
Sculptor, printmaker, and educator; New York, N.Y. d. 1987 B.F.A., Cooper Union, 1965.
Provenance:
Donated 1989. Material is from the artist's studio, and was donated by his widow, Susan Wilmarth.
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.
Occupation:
Art dealers -- New York (State) -- New York Search this
Educators -- New York (State) -- New York Search this
Printmakers -- New York (State) -- New York Search this
Letters, handmade greeting cards, and a telegram to the Sturges family from the Sternbergs and six photographs taken by Frances Sturges of Harry Sternberg, Stuart Sturges, and a family cat.
Biographical / Historical:
Stuart Sturges (1913-1988) and his wife Frances were friends with the Harry and his wife, Mary Sternberg.
Provenance:
Donated 2014 by Jonathan Sturges, Stuart and Frances Sturges' son.
Restrictions:
Use of original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C., Research Center.
Occupation:
Muralists -- New York (State) -- New York Search this
Printmakers -- New York (State) -- New York Search this
Biographical notes; a typescript of newspaper and magazine reviews of Brecher's work, 1933-1982; 39 letters received, 1933-1982 and a letter of condolence to Mrs. Brecher, 1983; newspaper and magazine clippings, undated and 1938-1979, and 3 scrapbooks, 1921-1983, containing biographical notes, photographs, correspondence, catalogs, and clippings.
Biographical / Historical:
Painter and printmaker; New York, N.Y. Born 1897, died 1982.
Provenance:
Material on reel 4909 donated 1984 by Mrs. Samuel Brecher, widow of Brecher. The scrapbooks on reel 3267 lent for microfilming 1984 by Mrs. Florence Brecher. Photocopies discarded after microfilming.
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.
Occupation:
Painters -- New York (State) -- New York Search this
Printmakers -- New York (State) -- New York Search this
Topic:
Painting, Modern -- 20th century -- New York (State) -- New York Search this
An interview of Federico Castellon conducted 1971 April 7-14, by Paul Cummings, for the Archives of American Art. Castellon speaks of his childhood; his early interest in art; contact with Diego Rivera and the Weyhe Gallery in 1933; studying in Madrid and Paris; his involvement with the Spanish military; teaching at Columbia; traveling in Italy and in the Southwestern U.S.; making his first prints; his involvement with the Associated American Artists Gallery; printmaking methods and techniques; his publications; subject matter and surrealism in his work; his working routine; one-man exhibitions; collecting prints; other printmakers; aesthetics. He recalls Diego Rivera, Carl Zigrosser, Elizabeth Ames, Reeves Lowenthal, Sylvan Cole, Terry Dintenfass, Lawrence Fleischman, the Weyhe Gallery, and the Associated American Artists Gallery.
Biographical / Historical:
Federico Castellon (1914-1971) was a printmaker and painter from Brooklyn, New York.
General:
Originally recorded on 2 sound tape reels. Reformatted in 2010 as 4 digital wav files. Duration is 4 hr., 16 min.
Provenance:
This interview is part of the Archives' Oral History Program, started in 1958 to document the history of the visual arts in the United States, primarily through interviews with artists, historians, dealers, critics and others.
Restrictions:
Transcript available on the Archives of American Art website.
An interview of Alice Baber conducted 1973 May 24, by Paul Cummings, for the Archives of American Art.
Biographical / Historical:
Alice Baber was a painter and printmaker from New York, N.Y.
General:
Originally recorded on 2 sound tape reels. Reformatted in 2010 as 3 digital wav files. Duration is 3 hr., 12 min.
Provenance:
This interview is part of the Archives of American Art Oral History Program, started in 1958 to document the history of the visual arts in the United States, primarily through interviews with artists, historians, dealers, critics and others.
Occupation:
Painters -- New York (State) -- New York Search this
Printmakers -- New York (State) -- New York Search this
REEL D10: Letter to an unidentified person regarding the sale of some of Hassam's paintings.
REEL D30: Postcard to W.J. Whittemore, Esq.
Biographical / Historical:
Painter, printmaker; New York, N.Y.
Provenance:
Material on reel D30 donated 1955-1962 by Charles E. Feinberg, an active donor and friend of AAA. Material on reel D10 bought by AAA with funds given by Mr. Hamilton, 1956.
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.
Occupation:
Painters -- New York (State) -- New York Search this
Printmakers -- New York (State) -- New York Search this
1.4 Linear feet ((partially microfilmed on 2 reels))
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Sound recordings
Date:
1949-1965
Scope and Contents:
Correspondence; research materials for a book; a tape recording; manuscripts; photographs; drawings; and miscellany.
REEL N70-46: Working mock-up, original drawings, layout, for Watson's book SKETCH DIARY (1965); and other works; plus clippings of articles by him.
REEL 64: Correspondence, 1949-1955, arising from Watson's position as editor-in-chief of the magazine AMERICAN ARTIST. Correspondence relates to articles for the magazine; color engraving; controversy between "modern" vs. "conservative" art; awards to watercolorists; gallery fees for exhibiting works of art; and personal matters.
UNMICROFILMED: Correspondence; various manuscripts and other papers relating to SKETCH DIARY; tape recording in which he tells about the establishment of Berkshire Summer School of Art in 1916; preliminary manuscripts of "Getting a Likeness"; photographs; drawings; Christmas cards from other artists; pencil rendering "Temple of Zeus," created as an advertisement for Eldorado pencils; and miscellany.
Biographical / Historical:
Illustrator and block printer; New York, N.Y. Founder & editor of American Artist, 1937-1955.
Provenance:
Material on reel N70-46 lent for microfilming 1970; some drawings and portions of material of sketch diary was subsequently donated 1972 along with unmicrofilmed material by Eve Watson, widow of Watson; material on reel 64 donated 1971 by Norman Kent, editor of American Artist.
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.
Occupation:
Illustrators -- New York (State) -- New York Search this
Printmakers -- New York (State) -- New York Search this
Biographical material, personal and professional correspondence, writings, three photographs of Rosenquit, and printed material consiting of press reviews.
Bernard Rosenquit (1923-1991) was a painter and printmaker in New York , N.Y.
Provenance:
Donated 1976 by Bernard Rosenquit and in 2003 by Vivian Hecht and Pauline Seener, Rosenquit's sisters.
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.
Occupation:
Painters -- New York (State) -- New York Search this
Printmakers -- New York (State) -- New York Search this
Conover, Robert F. (Robert Fremont), 1920- Search this
Extent:
136 Items
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Date:
1947-1979
Scope and Contents:
17 business letters regarding exhibitions, 1950-1972; photographs, and slides of Conover, and of his work; exhibition catalogs and announcements; clippings, 1951-1961; statements of purpose and other writings on art.
Biographical / Historical:
Painter, printmaker; New York, N.Y.
Provenance:
The additional material given in 1979 has not been physical combined.
Restrictions:
Use of original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C., Research Center. Contact Reference Services for more information.
Occupation:
Printmakers -- New York (State) -- New York Search this
Painters -- New York (State) -- New York Search this
An interview of Stanley William Hayter conducted 1971 Mar. 11, by Paul Cummings, for the Archives of American Art.
Hayter speaks of his trip to the U.S. in 1940, the Atelier for etching techniques at the New School for Social Research and some of the members in the group, the influence of the WPA on American art, the studios on 8th and 13th Streets and the variety of personalities and working methods among those who inhabited them. He discusses the relationship between teacher and student, the influence of the exhibition of Atelier prints at the Museum of Modern Art, life in America as compared with that in France, printmaking in Europe and America, the Tamarind Institute, the close of the Atelier in 1955, and the limitations of lithography.
Biographical / Historical:
Stanley William Hayter (1901-1988) was a printmaker from Paris, France.
Provenance:
This interview is part of the Archives of American Art Oral History Program, started in 1958 to document the history of the visual arts in the United States, primarily through interviews with artists, historians, dealers, critics and others.
Restrictions:
Transcript: Patrons must use microfilm copy.
Topic:
Prints -- New York (State) -- New York -- Technique Search this
Printmakers -- New York (State) -- New York -- Interviews Search this
An interview of Will Barnet conducted 1964 January 20-1964 February 17, by Richard Brown Baker, for the Archives of American Art.
Biographical / Historical:
Will Barnet (1911-2012) is a painter and printmaker from New York, New York.
General:
Originally recorded 3 sound tape reels. Reformatted in 2010 as 6 digital wav files. Duration is 10 hr., 37 min.
Partially transferred from original acetate tape reels.
Provenance:
This interview is part of the Archives' Oral History Program, started in 1958 to document the history of the visual arts in the United States, primarily through interviews with artists, historians, dealers, critics and others.
Topic:
Painters -- New York (State) -- New York -- Interviews Search this
The papers of Michael Ponce de Leon measure 0.3 linear feet and date from 1952 to 1979. The papers document his career as an artist through two letters, one being a congratulatory letter from David Goddard upon receiving a Guggenheim award, 1967; photos and slides of Ponce de Leon's work, a slide of him in a workshop, and photos showing his metal collage intaglio printing technique; exhibition catalogs and announcements, reprints, clippings, miscellaneous notes, three cartoon drawings, and an intaglio, "There's a Time."
Scope and Contents:
The papers of Michael Ponce de Leon measure 0.3 linear feet and date from 1952 to 1979. The papers document his career as an artist through two letters, one being a congratulatory letter from David Goddard upon receiving a Guggenheim award, 1967; photos and slides of Ponce de Leon's work, a slide of him in a workshop, and photos showing his metal collage intaglio printing technique; exhibition catalogs and announcements, reprints, clippings, miscellaneous notes, three cartoon drawings, and an intaglio, "There's a Time."
Arrangement:
The collection is arranged into one series.
Series 1: Michael Ponce de Leon papers 1952-1979 (0.3 linear feet; Box 1, OV 2)
Biographical / Historical:
Michael Ponce de Leon (1922-2006) was a an artist, printmaker, and cartoonist based in New York, N.Y. Ponce de Leon was born in Miami, but he grew up and attended school in Mexico City. He served in the United States military during World War II, and he settled in New York after the war where he studied at the Art Students League of New York, the National Academy of Design, and the School of the Brooklyn Museum. Between 1953 and 1980 Ponce de Leon taught at various colleges and universities including the Art Students League, Columbia University, Cooper Union, Hunter College, New York University, Pratt Institute, the Pratt Graphic Art Center, and Vassar College. Ponce de Leon died in Mexico in 2006.
Provenance:
Material on reels N69-127 & N70-14 lent for microfilming 1969 and unmicrofilmed material donated 1977-1979 by Michael Ponce de Leon.
Restrictions:
This collection is open for research. Access to original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C. Research Center.
Rights:
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.
Occupation:
Cartoonists -- New York (State) -- New York Search this
Printmakers -- New York (State) -- New York Search this
The papers of realist painter Raphael Soyer date from 1933 to 1989 and measure 3.9 linear feet. They document Soyer's career as a painter, printmaker, and writer. Found within the papers are scattered biographical materials, including several transcripts of interviews with Soyer; extensive personal and professional correspondence; writings and notes by Soyer and others; scattered legal and financial records; exhibition materials, clippings and other printed material; and photographs of Soyer in his studio, with artists and friends, and at art events. Also found are one sketch and a facsimile of Soyer's 1968 sketchbook produced by Forum Gallery.
Scope and Content Note:
The papers of realist painter Raphael Soyer date from 1933 to 1989 and measure 3.9 linear feet. They document Soyer's career as a painter, printmaker, and writer. Found within the papers are scattered biographical materials, including several transcripts of interviews with Soyer; extensive personal and professional correspondence; writings and notes by Soyer and others; scattered legal and financial records; exhibition materials, clippings and other printed material; and photographs of Soyer in his studio, with artists and friends, and at art events. Also found are one sketch and a facsimile of Soyer's 1968 sketchbook produced by Forum Gallery.
Biographical materials include award certificates, including a 1975 certificate from the National Academy of Design, lists of artwork by Soyer, and several transcripts of interviews with Raphael Soyer in which he discusses topics such as his career as an artist, artists in New York City, and the inspiration for his artwork.
Personal and professional correspondence is with numerous artists, writers, art historians, curators, gallery owners, arts organizations, museums, and universities. Correspondents include Lambro Ahlas, Rudolf Baranik, George Biddle, John Bratby, David Burliuk, Peter De Francia, Lloyd Goodrich, Joseph Hirsch, Joseph Hirshhorn, Edward Hopper, Joe Lasker, Henry Varnum Poor, Isaac Bashevis Singer, and many others. Additional correspondence is addressed to Reality magazine, for which Soyer was an editor.
Writings and notes by Soyer include several drafts and notes for his four published books A Painter's Pilgrimage (1962), Homage to Thomas Eakins (1966), Self-Revealment: a Memoir (1969), and Diary of an Artist (1977). Also by Soyer are draft essays, lectures, and articles - many about social realism. Writings by others include essays and articles by artists and art scholars sent to Soyer for review.
Scattered legal and financial records include bank statements, receipts, leases, and documents related to the publishing of his books. Printed material consists of exhibition catalogs and announcements, clippings, and other published items.
Photographs depict Soyer in his studio, with other artists and friends such as Chaim Gross, Edward Hopper, and Jose De Creeft, and at art events, and include a few photographs of his artwork. Also found are one pencil sketch and a facsimile of Soyer's 1968 sketchbook produced by Forum Gallery.
Arrangement:
The collection is arranged into 7 series:
Missing Title
Series 1: Biographical Material, 1939-1986 (Box 1, OV 6; 12 folders)
Series 2: Correspondence, 1940-1988 (Box 1-2; 1.0 linear foot)
Series 3: Writings & Notes, circa 1946-1987 (Box 2-3; 1.5 linear feet)
Series 4: Legal & Financial Records, 1959-1988 (Box 3; 0.2 linear feet)
Series 5: Printed Material, 1933-1989 (Box 3-4; 0.3 linear feet)
Series 6: Photographs, circa 1953-1987 (Box 5, OV 6; 0.5 linear feet)
Series 7: Artwork, 1968, undated (Box 5; 2 folders)
Biographical Note:
Raphael Soyer (1899-1987) and his twin brother Moses (1899-1974) were born on December 25, 1899, in the Russian town Borisoglebsk. Their father Abraham was a scholar and Hebrew teacher who encouraged all of his children to sketch and paint. After the family was deported from Russia, they settled in the Bronx, New York, in 1912. Raphael and Moses briefly attended school, but at 16 they began working various jobs to help support their family. They also began taking free art classes at Cooper Union and later Raphael attended the National Academy of Design and the Art Students League where he studied with Guy Pene du Bois. He began to show his paintings in 1926 and in 1929 gallery owner Charles Daniel gave him his first one man show. Soyer became one of the leading realist painters and printmakers, often depicting Depression-era transients, Manhattan streetscapes, shoppers, and women at work. He also painted and sketched numerous self-portraits and portraits of fellow artists and cultural figures, many of whom were also his friends, including Allen Ginsberg, Chaim Gross, Edward Hopper, and Arshile Gorky.
Beginning in the 1930s Soyer showed his work frequently at the Whitney Museum of American Art, Associated American Artists Galleries, National Collection of Fine Arts, and other national and international exhibitions. During the 1940s and 1950s he was a leading advocate of realism and spoke out against the abstract style that was dominating the New York art scene. In 1953 he co-founded Reality magazine.
Soyer joined the Forum Gallery in New York in the early 1960s and became good friends with his dealer Bella Fishko. Also during the 1960s he published three books, A Painter's Pilgrimage (1962), Homage to Thomas Eakins (1966), and Self-Revealment: a Memoir (1969), and had his first retrospective at the Whitney Museum in 1967.
Throughout his career Soyer also occasionally taught at art schools including the Art Students League and the New School. He also collaborated with his friend, writer Isaac Bashevis Singer, by illustrating several of Singer's books. Soyer and his wife Rebecca, whom he married in 1931, lived the rest of their lives in New York City, but often traveled to Europe. They had one daughter, Mary. Soyer's final book, Diary of an Artist, was published in 1977 and in 1979 he received the Gold Medal from the National Arts Club. He continued painting realist subjects until his death in 1987.
Related Material:
Also found at the Archives of American Art are several collections related to Raphael Soyer: Esther Reier letter from Raphael Soyer, 1978 May 29; Raphael Soyer's Artist Statement from 1947; a Raphael Soyer lecture from 1960; the papers of his twin brother, Moses Soyer; Brooklyn Museum interviews of artists, circa 1965-1968 (includes an interview of Soyer); and the Karl E. Fortess taped interviews with artists, 1963-1985, which also includes an interview with Raphael Soyer. The Archives of American Art's Oral History collection has an interview of Raphael Soyer dated May 13-June 1, 1981 conducted by Milton Brown.
Additional Raphael Soyer papers, 1949-1954, are available at Cornell University.
Separated Material:
The Archives of American Art also holds material lent for microfilming (N68-1) including a small amount of correspondence and three sketchbooks. Lent materials were returned to the lender and are not described in the collection container inventory.
Provenance:
Raphael Soyer donated portions of the collection between 1961 and 1980. He also loaned materials for microfilming in 1968. His widow, Rebecca, and his grandson, Joseph Leiber, on behalf of the entire Soyer family, donated additional materials in 1991 and 1993.
Restrictions:
Use of the original papers requires an appointment.
Rights:
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.
Topic:
Printmakers -- New York (State) -- New York Search this
The papers of painter, pritnmaker and instructor, Rudolf Baranik, measure 0.4 linear feet and date from 1951-1982. Included is biographical data; letters from Philip Evergood, Raphael Soyer, John Canaday, Philip Guston, and others; photographs of Baranik and of his work; transcripts of interviews of Baranik conducted by Martin Reis, Irving Sandler, Mary Gordon, leonard Altman, and Lynn Katzman; exhibition announcements and catalogues, including one for the work of his son, Steven Baranik; clippings and other printed material.
Biographical / Historical:
Rudolf Baranik (1920- 1998) was a painter, printmaker, and instructor in New York, N.Y.
Provenance:
Donated 1975-1983 by Rudolf Baranik.
Restrictions:
Use of original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C., Research Center. Contact Reference Services for more information.
Occupation:
Art teachers -- New York (State) -- New York Search this
Painters -- New York (State) -- New York Search this
Printmakers -- New York (State) -- New York Search this
Topic:
Painting, Abstract -- New York (State) -- New York Search this
An interview of Seong Moy conducted 1971 Jan. 18-28, by Paul Cummings, for the Archives of American Art.
Moy speaks of his childhood in Canton, China; his immigration to Minnesota; the art scene in Minneapolis and Saint Paul in the 1930s; his education; the influence of his teachers, including Cameron Booth, Hans Hofmann, and Vaclav Vytlacil; the influence of Stanley William Hayter; being introduced to printmaking by the WPA art project in Minnesota; his service as a photographer in World War II; his teaching philosophy; and the art scene in Provincetown in the 1970s.
Biographical / Historical:
Seong Moy (1921-2013) was a Chinese American painter and printmaker based in New York City, New York and Provincetown, Massachusetts. Moy was born in Canton, China. He studied at the St. Paul School of Art, Hans Hofmann School of Art and the Art Students League. He was also the director of the Seong Moy School of Painting and Graphics, Provincetown, Massachusetts in the summer.
General:
Originally recorded on 2 sound tape reels. Reformatted in 2010 as 3 digital wav files. Duration is 3 hrs., 19 min.
Provenance:
These interviews are part of the Archives' Oral History Program, started in 1958 to document the history of the visual arts in the United States, primarily through interviews with artists, historians, dealers, critics and others.
Restrictions:
Transcript available on the Archives of American Art website.
Occupation:
Painters -- New York (State) -- New York Search this
Printmakers -- New York (State) -- New York Search this