Irving Amen papers

Scope and Contents

A loose leaf diary, 1960-1962, containing about 100 entries, mostly undated or from the first few months of each year, and painting lists for each year; a letter, 1960; 2 exhibition catalogs for Amen's woodcuts, 1960 and 1964; and 3 uninscribed greeting cards, copyrighted by the Artists Studio Publication, which feature Amen's color woodcuts.

Scope and Contents

Diary contains entries on his current work, including etchings, monotypes, paintings, woodcuts, etc., and refers to them by title. He often expresses his attitude toward his work, especially his experiments with new materials and techniques such as spray paint, masonite, air brush, and Duco dripping. He refers to sales, exhibits, galleries, juries, customers, and his reactions to the work of other artists seen in museums and galleries. He expresses his concern that control of the Print Council is going into the hands of "a few Eastern and mainly New York curators;" records his negative impression of Fritz Eichenberg, and writes of having to destroy some of his works to make room for his new ones. Included are a summary of what he calls his 1961 successes, and lists of hundreds of his works with occasional notes about their condition.

Biographical / Historical

Painter, printmaker.