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Archives of American Art
John Altoon art work and papers
Summary
- Collection ID:
- AAA.altojohn
- Creators:
-
Altoon, John, 1925-
- Dates:
-
circa 1940-1969
- Languages:
-
English.
- Physical Description:
-
2.3 Linear feet
- Repository:
Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents
Over 300 pencil and pencil and ink drawings, circa 1950s-1960s, mostly contained in sketchbooks and tablets, as well as numerous loose sketches and several mixed-media works on board. Also found are Altoon's letters and a ship's log dating from his years of WWII Navy service in the Pacific.
Scope and Contents
An addition of 0.6 linear feet donated 2017 included approximately 100 sketches by John Altoon, 1956-1966 and undated, created in printmaker Kenneth Tyler's Los Angeles workshop.
Biographical / Historical
Biographical / Historical
John Altoon (1925-1969) was a painter in Los Angeles, Calif. Altoon (born Altoonian), was a major figure in the Los Angeles art scene from the 1950s until his death from a heart attack in 1969. He began painting in the abstract-expressionist style, but by the mid-1960s his works turned to the figure, characterized by skillful draftsmanship and sexual imagery.
Administration
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated 1998 by Roberta L. Thompson, John Altoon's widow and in 2017 by printmaker Kenneth E. Tyler who collaborated on projects with John Altoon.
Using the Collection
Conditions Governing Access
Use of original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C., Research Center.
Keywords
Keyword Terms | Keyword Types | ||
---|---|---|---|
Prints -- Technique -- Study and teaching | Topical | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
Drawings | Genre Form | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
Sketchbooks | Genre Form | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
Painters -- California -- Los Angeles | Occupation | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
World War, 1939-1945 | Topical | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
Tyler, Kenneth E. | Personal Name | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
Archives of American Art
750 9th Street, NW
Victor Building, Suite 2200
Washington, D.C. 20001
https://www.aaa.si.edu/services/questions