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Mercury Galleries records

Creator:
Mercury Galleries (New York, N.Y.)  Search this
Names:
Anton, Harold  Search this
Ben-Zion, 1897–1987  Search this
Harris, Louis, 1902-1970  Search this
Kerkam, Earl, 1891-1965  Search this
Rothko, Mark, 1903-1970  Search this
Extent:
0.2 Linear feet
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Interviews
Date:
1937-1943
Summary:
The records of Mercury Galleries measure 0.2 linear feet and date from 1937 to 1943. The collection sheds light on the gallery's brief existence through correspondence, printed material including exhibition catalogs, announcements, press releases, and newspaper clippings, photographs of artwork, one transcript from a radio discussion, and flyers from WPA art tours.
Scope and Contents:
The records of Mercury Galleries measure 0.2 linear feet and date from 1937 to 1943. The collection sheds light on the gallery's brief existence through printed material including exhibition catalogs, announcements, press releases, and newspaper clippings, correspondence with artists, museums, and galleries, photographs of artwork, one transcript from a radio discussion, and flyers from WPA art tours.
Arrangement:
Due to the small size of this collection the papers are arranged as one series.
Biographical / Historical:
Mercury Galleries was established in 1938 in New York, New York, by Sidney Paul Schectman (also known as Paul Kollmer) and Bernard Braddon. The gallery exhibited contemporary drawings, paintings, and sculptures and was known for its abstract expressionist and surrealist art shows.

Cornell graduates Schectman and Braddon opened Artmart Galleries in late 1937 in the loft of a building owned by family. They priced contemporary art between $5 and $50 regardless of who created it and any artist could exhibit and sell their original work there for a fee. Artists who exhibited there included Cleo Hartwig, Stanley William Hayer, and many more. Schectman and Braddon repeated this business model at Mercury Galleries the following year, and later organized the Circuit Art Association using the same idea.

Located in close proximity to the Whitney Museum, Mercury held The Ten: Whitney Dissenters (1938), featuring artists Adolph Gottlieb, Ralph Rosenborg, Mark Rothkowitz (Rothko), Ben-Zion, Joe Solman, Nahum Tschacbasov, Lou Schanker, Louis Harris, Earl Kerkam (guest), and Ilya Bolotowsky. Schectman, Braddon, and Louis Harris (a member of The Ten) broadcast a radio discussion titled "What's Wrong with American Art," in support of the show. The exhibition catalog foreword was written jointly by Schectman, Braddon, and Rothko.

Another notable Mercury Galleries group show was Visions of Other Worlds (circa 1937-1940), with works by surrealist painters Joan Miro, Yves Tanguy, Max Ernst and others, African sculpture, and drawings by patients of psychiatric institutions in France. Schectman and Braddon were introduced to African art through visiting exhibitions and by the collector Ladislos Segy.

In addition to those mentioned above, other artists exhibited at Mercury during its short existence included Henri Matisse, Zoltan Hecht, Jackson Pollock, Salvador Dali, poet Rachel Mack Wilson, Hananiah Harari, and John Rood.

The gallery closed in 1940.
Related Materials:
Also found in the Archives of American Art is an oral history interview with Bernard Braddon and Sidney Paul Schectman conducted by Avis Berman, October 9, 1981.
Provenance:
The collection was donated by Bernard B. Braddon, co-owner of Mercury Galleries, in 1981.
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.
Topic:
Abstract expressionism  Search this
Surrealism  Search this
Function:
Art galleries, Commercial -- New York (State)
Genre/Form:
Interviews
Citation:
Mercury Galleries, 1937-1943. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.
Identifier:
AAA.mercgall
See more items in:
Mercury Galleries records
Archival Repository:
Archives of American Art
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/mw9f0dd6d74-6e8d-4a3b-897a-9104a3275032
EDAN-URL:
ead_collection:sova-aaa-mercgall
Online Media:

Poindexter Gallery records

Creator:
Poindexter Gallery  Search this
Names:
Corcoran Gallery of Art  Search this
Denver Art Museum  Search this
Fogg Art Museum  Search this
Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York, N.Y.)  Search this
Montana Historical Society  Search this
Oberlin College  Search this
Smithsonian Institution  Search this
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum  Search this
University of Arizona  Search this
Worcester Art Museum  Search this
Yale University  Search this
De Kooning, Willem, 1904-1997  Search this
De Niro, Robert, Sr., 1922-1993  Search this
Dickinson, Eleanor, 1931-  Search this
Diebenkorn, Richard, 1922-1993  Search this
Harris, Paul, 1925-  Search this
Kerkam, Earl, 1891-1965  Search this
Kline, Franz, 1910-1962  Search this
Olitski, Jules, 1922-2007  Search this
Resnick, Milton, 1917-2004  Search this
Spaventa, George, 1918-  Search this
Extent:
7.1 Linear feet
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Photographs
Date:
1931-1985
bulk 1955-1978
Summary:
The records of the Poindexter Gallery measure 7.1 linear feet and date from 1931-1985 with the bulk of the materials dating from 1955-1978 when the gallery was active. The majority of the collection consists of artists' files documenting the gallery's relationships with its artists, including exhibitions, and containing a wide variety of materials, including photographs. Also found are the "desk files" kept by the gallery's founder, Elinor Poindexter; correspondence; and financial and legal records.
Scope and Contents:
The records of the Poindexter Gallery measure 7.1 linear feet and date from 1931-1985 with the bulk of the materials dating from 1955-1978 when the gallery was active. The majority of the collection consists of artists' files documenting the gallery's relationships with its artists, including exhibitions, and containing a wide variety of materials, including photographs. Also found are the "desk files" kept by the gallery's founder, Elinor Poindexter; correspondence; and financial and legal records.

Elinor Poindexter's desk files consist of documents she kept as a reference for both her personal needs and gallery business. Correspondence is with artists, museums, colleges and universities, and art institutes. Notable correspondents include Worcester Art Museum, Corcoran Gallery of Art, Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Solomon Guggenheim Museum, Denver Art Museum, Yale University, Oberlin College, University of Arizona, the Fogg Art Museum at Harvard University, Smithsonian Institution, and the Montana Historical Association. Additional correspondence is found throughout desk files and artists' files as well.

Artists' files are found for artists represented by the gallery, or in whom the gallery took an interest. Contents of the files vary, but may contain correspondence, photographs, sales records, exhibition files, and printed materials. There is extensive material relating to artists Richard Diebenkorn, Willem de Kooning, Giorgio Spaventa, Robert De Niro, Earl Kerkam, Franz Kline, Milton Resnick, Eleanor Dickinson, Paul Harris, Jules Olitski, among others.

The remainder of the collection consists of financial and legal files containing sales inventories and receipts, price lists, bills, loan agreements, and documents pertaining to the estate of Giorgio Spaventa, as well as photographic materials consisting of prints, negatives, slides and color transparencies of artwork.
Arrangement:
This collection is arranged as 5 series.

Missing Title

Series 1: Elinor Poindexter Desk Files, 1947-1969 (Box 1, 8 folders)

Series 2: Correspondence, 1955-1971 (Box 1-2, 1.8 linear feet)

Series 3: Artists' Files, 1931-1983, undated (Box 2-5, 2.4 linear feet)

Series 4: Financial and Legal Files, 1955-1985 (Box 5-6, 1.0 linear feet)

Series 5: Photographic Materials, 1933-1977 (Box 6-7, 1.4 linear feet)
Biographical / Historical:
The Poindexter Gallery was founded in 1955 in New York City by Elinor Poindexter. The gallery specialized in sculpture, abstract, and figurative art and featured the works of such artists as Richard Diebenkorn, Jules Olitski, Nell Blaine, Willem de Kooning, Giorgio Spaventa, Franz Kline, Earl Kerkam, Milton Resnick and Robert De Niro, among others. The Poindexter Gallery closed in 1978.
Related Materials:
Among other resources relating to the Poindexter Gallery records in the Archives of American Art is an oral history with gallery owner, Elinor Poindexter, conducted by Paul Cummings on September 9, 1970.
Provenance:
The Poindexter Gallery records were donated over a period from 1968-1978 by the Poindexter Gallery via owners Elinor Poindexter and art director Harold Fondren. A 2006 accession was donated by Christie Poindexter Dennis, daughter of Elinor.
Restrictions:
Use of 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:
Art, Modern -- 20th century  Search this
Function:
Art galleries, Commercial -- New York (State)
Genre/Form:
Photographs
Citation:
Poindexter Gallery records, 1931-1985, bulk 1955-1978, Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution
Identifier:
AAA.poingall
See more items in:
Poindexter Gallery records
Archival Repository:
Archives of American Art
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/mw9a881e053-d7f5-4294-bdb7-1386100cf956
EDAN-URL:
ead_collection:sova-aaa-poingall
Online Media:

Claude C. Cowles papers relating to Earl Kerkam

Creator:
Cowles, Claude C.  Search this
Names:
De Kooning, Elaine  Search this
Kerkam, Earl, 1891-1965  Search this
Schwartz, Barbara, 1948-  Search this
Vincente, Esteban  Search this
Vincente, Hanna  Search this
Extent:
2 Items ((on 2 partial microfilm reels))
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Interviews
Date:
1972-1973
Scope and Contents:
A published article, "Earl Kerkam: Paintings and Drawings," by Cowles, 1973, and a transcript of an interview with Elaine de Kooning, Esteban Vicente, Hanna Vicente, and Barbara Schwartz concerning Kerkam. The interview was conducted by Cowles in Elaine de Kooning's studio, March 29, 1972.
Biographical / Historical:
Art historian; East Lansing, Mich.
Provenance:
Donated 1975 by Claude C. Cowles.
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  Search this
Art historians -- Michigan  Search this
Genre/Form:
Interviews
Identifier:
AAA.cowlclau
Archival Repository:
Archives of American Art
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/mw9826e1b42-b884-4b00-bc9d-52397b8b17ed
EDAN-URL:
ead_collection:sova-aaa-cowlclau

Earl Kerkam papers

Creator:
Kerkam, Earl, 1891-1965  Search this
Extent:
24 Items ((on partial microfilm reel))
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Date:
1936-1968
Scope and Contents:
Obituary, exhibition announcements, testimonials by fellow artists, bibliographical material, and articles and clippings about Kerkam.
Biographical / Historical:
Painter; New York City.
Provenance:
The donor, E. Bruce Kirk, is Kerkam's son.
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  Search this
Identifier:
AAA.kerkearl
Archival Repository:
Archives of American Art
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/mw96f31033b-b6bc-453b-9e3e-6b0deae9a548
EDAN-URL:
ead_collection:sova-aaa-kerkearl

Oral history interview with Sol LeWitt

Interviewee:
LeWitt, Sol, 1928-2007  Search this
Interviewer:
Cummings, Paul  Search this
Names:
Museum of Modern Art (New York, N.Y.)  Search this
Syracuse University -- Students  Search this
Candido, Anthony, 1924-  Search this
Flavin, Dan, 1933-  Search this
Kerkam, Earl, 1891-1965  Search this
Muybridge, Eadweard, 1830-1904  Search this
Extent:
75 Pages (Transcript)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Pages
Sound recordings
Interviews
Date:
1974 July 15
Scope and Contents:
An interview of Sol LeWitt conducted 1974 July 15, by Paul Cummings, for the Archives of American Art.
LeWitt speaks of his studies at Syracuse University, the Tiffany Foundation award for his lithograph, odd jobs, his work for magazines and the graphics department of I. M. Pei's firm, travel in Europe, his army service, graphic design work, typography, and abstract expressionism.
He discusses his job at the Museum of Modern Art, influences upon his work, his interest in film and the photographs of Eadward Muybridge, and exhibitions at the Dwan, Daniels, and Kaymar Galleries. LeWitt comments on his change from metal to wood sculpture; conceptual, minimal and post-minimal art; series and systems; his wall drawings; torn paper and folded paper "drawings"; prints and etchings; music and books; and the exploitation of art and artists. He recalls Anthony Candido, Dan Flavin, Earl Kerkam, and others.
Biographical / Historical:
Sol LeWitt (1928-2007) was a sculptor and draftsman of Italy and New York.
General:
Originally recorded on 1 sound tape reel. Reformatted in 2010 as 2 digital wav files. Duration is 2 hrs., 6 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.
Restrictions:
Transcript available on the Archives of American Art website.
Topic:
Abstract expressionism  Search this
Minimal sculpture -- United States  Search this
Sculpture, Modern -- 20th century -- United States  Search this
Graphic artists -- Interviews  Search this
Sculptors -- Interviews  Search this
Genre/Form:
Sound recordings
Interviews
Identifier:
AAA.lewitt74
Archival Repository:
Archives of American Art
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/mw92cd3e18b-f239-46c8-91a2-94311f11f231
EDAN-URL:
ead_collection:sova-aaa-lewitt74
Online Media:

Abraham Walkowitz [painting] / (photographed by Peter A. Juley & Son)

Artist:
Kerkam, Earl 1891-1965  Search this
Subject:
Walkowitz, Abraham  Search this
Type:
Photograph
Date:
Ca. 1943-1944
Topic:
Portrait male--Bust  Search this
Occupation--Art--Artist  Search this
Image number:
JUL J0010596
See more items in:
Photograph Study Collection
Data Source:
Photograph Study Collection, Smithsonian American Art Museum
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:siris_jul_10596

(No Title Given) [art work] / (photographed by Peter A. Juley & Son)

Artist:
Kerkam, Earl 1891-1965  Search this
Type:
Photograph
Date:
1956
Image number:
JUL J0011327
See more items in:
Photograph Study Collection
Data Source:
Photograph Study Collection, Smithsonian American Art Museum
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:siris_jul_11327

Earl Kerkam, oil and drawings : March 10 - March 30, 1968 : Donald Morris Gallery

Author:
Donald Morris Gallery  Search this
Subject:
Kerkam, Earl 1891-1965 Exhibitions  Search this
Physical description:
1 folded sheet
Type:
Books
Date:
1968
[1968]
Data Source:
Smithsonian Libraries
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:siris_sil_906085

Earl Kerkam; memorial exhibition, May 13 - June 26, 1966, Washington Gallery of Modern Art, Washington, D.C

Author:
Kerkam, Earl 1891-1965  Search this
Washington Gallery of Modern Art (Washington, D.C.)  Search this
Subject:
Kerkam, Earl 1891-1965  Search this
Physical description:
32 p. illus. 27 cm
Type:
Books
Date:
1966
C1966]
Call number:
N40.1.K39 W3
ND237.K48 W37X
N40.1.K39W3
Data Source:
Smithsonian Libraries
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:siris_sil_33610

Earl Kerkam

Author:
Kerkam, Earl 1891-1965  Search this
Zabriskie Gallery  Search this
Subject:
Kerkam, Earl 1891-1965  Search this
Physical description:
[4] p. : ill. ; 21 cm
Type:
Books
Exhibitions
Date:
1968
Call number:
ND237.K48 A4 1968
Data Source:
Smithsonian Libraries
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:siris_sil_637632

Earl Kerkam : [Feb. 23-Mar. 19, 1960]

Author:
Kerkam, Earl 1891-1965  Search this
Sawin, Martica  Search this
World House Galleries  Search this
Subject:
Kerkam, Earl 1891-1965  Search this
Physical description:
[8] p. : ill. (some col.) ; 21 cm
Type:
Books
Exhibitions
Date:
1960
Call number:
ND237.K48 A4 1960
Data Source:
Smithsonian Libraries
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:siris_sil_637631

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