Biographical material (1945-1965), letters (1917-1979), notes (1950-1970), writings (1944-1970), business records (1927-1977), art works (1932-1964), subject files (1952-1955), scrapbook (1927-1939), printed material (1923-1977), and photographs (1922-1968) documenting Botkin's career and his friendship with George and Ira Gershwin and other entertainment and artistic figures.
Among the correspondents and subjects of photographs or letters are: George and Ira Gershwin, their sister Frances Godowsky, Botkin's brother Benjamin, Botkin's daughter Toinette Botkin Laurent, and grandson Alexander Laurent, composer Harold Arlen, Fanny Brice and her son William Brice, artists Chaim Gross, Saburo Hasegawa, Hans Hofmann, Karl Knaths, Paul Manship, Paul Mocsanyi, Robert Motherwell, Louise Nevelson, Barnett Newman, Pablo Picasso, Wallace Putnam, Abrahmam Rattner, Hugo Robus, Arnold Schoenberg, Jack Shadbolt, John Von Wicht, and Abraham Walkowitz. Also included are photographs of Botkin's studio, night picnic in Provincetown attended by many artists; and material relating to American Abstract Artists, New School Art Center, Provincetown Art Association, and the Federation of Modern Painters and Sculptors. [See Finding Aid for information on location of items on the microfilm].
UNMICROFILMED: 3 untranscribed interviews of Botkin, 1 done for the "Today" show, NBC, June 4, 1965; 1 for Colette Roberts "Meet the Artist" Program, undated, and 1 by an unidentified interviewer. Also included is an untranscribed monologue, Oct. 11, 1970.
Biographical / Historical:
Painter; New York, N.Y. and Provincetown, Mass. Born in Boston and attended art schools there from 1913-1917. From 1917-1920, he attended the Art Students League and was employed as an illustrator for prominent magazines until 1929. Traveling abroad between 1926 and 1933, he attained his first one-man show in 1927 at the Billiet Galleries in Paris. Through his cousin, composer George Gershwin, Botkin became acquainted with people active in the performing arts, such as Harold Arlen, Fanny Brice, Harry Kurnitz, and Bert Lahr. Botkin was also involved in the American Abstract Artists, Artists Equity Association, Federation of Modern Painters and Sculptors, and Gallery 256 in Provincetown, Massachusetts.
Related Materials:
Henry Botkin papers also at Syracuse University.
Provenance:
Donated 1969-1982 by Henry Botkin and by his son Glenn and his assistant Rene Barilleaux. Many items were returned to Botkin after microfilming.
Restrictions:
Patrons must use microfilm copy. Use of untranscribed tapes requires an appointment at the Washington, D.C. office.
2.9 Linear feet ((partially microfilmed on 3 microfilm reels))
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Date:
1930-1963
Scope and Contents:
Photographs of Browne and his works of art; biographical material; business and financial records, including check stubs, financial records kept for income tax purposes, income tax records, payroll slips, bills and receipts; a eulogy by Joseph Solman; gallery literature; exhibition catalogs, announcements, and brochures; correspondence, including letters regarding a lottery to help Browne after his heart attack in 1952; greeting cards, letters of condolence and business letters; 19 slides of his work; a drawing by Browne; teaching charts for his classes at the Art Students League and New York University; and printed material, including clippings and other miscellaneous materials. A brief motion picture film clip of Browne working is also found.
Correspondents include John von Wicht, James Michener, Abraham Rattner, Yasuo Kunioshi, Robert Gwathmey, and Edith Lowenthal.
Biographical / Historical:
Painter, sculptor, educator; New York, N.Y. and Provincetown, Mass. Was Married to Rosalind Bengelsdorf Browne, painter, art critic and educator.
Provenance:
Lent and donated 1963-1978 by Rosalind Bengelsdorf Browne, widow of Byron Browne.
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
Topic:
Sculpture, Modern -- 20th century -- History -- New York (State) -- New York Search this
Painting, Abstract -- New York (State) -- New York Search this
Sculptors -- New York (State) -- New York -- Interviews Search this
