Archives of American Art

A Finding Aid to the Ruth Abrams Papers, 1934-1983, in the Archives of American Art

Summary

Collection ID:
AAA.abraruth
Creators:
Abrams, Ruth, 1912-1986
Dates:
1934-1983
Languages:
English
.
Physical Description:
1 Linear foot
Repository:
The papers of New York based artist and educator Ruth Abrams measure 1.0 linear foot and date from 1934 to 1984. The collection includes correspondence, writings and notes, personal business records, printed material, and photographs.

Scope and Contents

Scope and Contents
The papers of New York based artist and educator Ruth Abrams measure 1.0 linear foot and date from 1934 to 1984. The collection includes correspondence with colleagues and business associates; writings and notes related to Abrams 1970's film Paradox of the Big and writings by others; personal business records; exhibition announcements, news clippings, and other printed materials; and photographs. Photographs depict Abrams in her studio and with colleagues and students, exhibition openings, including four photographs of Ilya Bolotowsky attending her 1977 exhibition, and photographs of artwork.

Arrangement

Arrangement
The collection is arranged as five series.
  • Series 1: Correspondence, 1948-1982 (Box 1; 12 folders)
  • Series 2: Writings and Notes, 1957-1977 (Box 1; 10 folders)
  • Series 3: Personal Business Records, 1958-1977 (Box 1; 3 folders)
  • Series 4: Printed Material, 1934-1983 (Box 1; 16 folders)
  • Series 5: Photographs, 1950-1978 (Box 1; 6 folders)

Biographical / Historical

Biographical / Historical
Ruth Abrams (1912-1986) was a painter in New York, NY. She was the art director at the Research Association of The New School from 1965 to 1966, and a lecturer at Parsons School of Design. Abrams is best known for her abstract style and outer-space paintings as well as a 1970s art film entitled, Paradox of the Big.

Administration

Author
Caroline Donadio
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The Ruth Abrams papers were donated to the Archives of American Art by Ruth Abrams between 1981-1983.
Processing Information
The collection was processed in 1989 by Jean Fitzgerald. A finding aid was written by Caroline Donadio in 2018.

Using the Collection

Conditions Governing Access
Use of original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C., Research Center. Contact Reference Services for more information.
Preferred Citation
Ruth Abrams papers, 1934-1983. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.

Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Painters -- New York (State) -- New York Occupation Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Educators -- New York (State) -- New York Occupation Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Filmmakers -- New York (State) -- New York Occupation Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Art -- Study and teaching Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Artists' studios--Photographs Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Women artists Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Women painters Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Women educators Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Photographs Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Bolotowsky, Ilya, 1907-1981 Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

Archives of American Art
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Victor Building, Suite 2200
Washington, D.C. 20001
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