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Archives of American Art
Oral history interview with Elizabeth Cornell Benton
Summary
- Collection ID:
- AAA.benton76
- Creators:
-
Benton, Elizabeth CornellCummings, Paul
- Dates:
-
1976 April 21
- Languages:
-
English.
- Physical Description:
-
83 PagesTranscript
- Repository:
Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents
An interview of Elizabeth Cornell Benton conducted 1976 April 21, by Paul Cummings, for the Archives of American Art.
Scope and Contents
Interview concerns her brother, Joseph Cornell. Benton speaks of Cornell's education; his relationship with his family, especially with his brother, Robert; his interests in astronomy, music, movies, surrealism, and other subjects; his business dealings; his variations on themes in his collages and boxes; his "zany" sense of humor and other aspects of his personality; his use of toxic materials in his art; his health; his places of employment; his sources of inspiration; his diary and other writings; his attraction to youth; and his assistants. Benton also describes art classes she took from Edward Hopper and her collages.
Biographical / Historical
Biographical / Historical
Elizabeth Cornell Benton (1905- ) was the sister of the artist Joseph Cornell.
Administration
Sponsor
Funding for the digital preservation of this interview was provided by a grant from the Save America's Treasures Program of the National Park Service.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
This interview is part of the Archives' 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.
Digital Content
Using the Collection
Conditions Governing Access
The transcript and recording are open for research. Contact Reference Services for more information.
More Information
General
General
Originally recorded on 2 sound tape reels. Reformatted in 2010 as 3 digital wav files. Duration is 3 hr., 10 min.
Keywords
Keyword Terms | Keyword Types | ||
---|---|---|---|
Painters -- New York (State) -- New York | Occupation | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
Women artists | Topical | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
Women painters | Topical | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
Assemblage (Art) | Topical | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
Sound recordings | Genre Form | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
Interviews | Genre Form | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
Cornell, Joseph | 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