Summary
- Collection ID:
- AAA.diammart2
- Creators:
-
Diamond, Martin
- Dates:
-
1928-2013
- Languages:
-
The collection is in English.
- Physical Description:
-
3.2 Linear feet
- Repository:
The papers of New York art dealer, writer and teacher Martin Diamond measure 3.2 linear feet and date from 1928 to 2013. The materials involve to a limited degree Diamond's wife, Harriette Diamond, co-owner and co-operator of Martin Diamond Fine Arts, Inc. Their gallery work and relationships with artists they represented are documented by writings, subject and artist files, and photographic materials. Subject files concern American abstract art, particularly the 20th century Transcendental abstract painters, and include printed materials, correspondence and photographic materials. Artists' files include similar materials and some writings by artists. Photographic materials are of artworks and exhibition installations.
Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents
The papers of New York art dealer, writer and teacher, Martin Diamond measure 3.2 linear feet and date from 1928 to 2013. The materials involve to a limited degree Diamond's wife, Harriette Diamond, co-owner and co-operator of Martin Diamond Fine Arts, Inc. Their gallery work and relationships with artists they represented are documented by writings, subject and artist files, and photographic materials. Subject files concern American abstract art, particularly the 20th century Transcendental abstract painters, and include printed materials, correspondence and photographic materials. Artists' files include similar materials and some writings by artists. Photographic materials are of artworks and exhibition installations.
Arrangement
Arrangement
The collection is arranged in 4 series. Materials are generally arranged by record type and chronologically thereafter.
- Series 1: Writings, 1995 (Box 1; 1 folder)
- Series 2: Subject Files, 1940-2008 (Box 1; 0.3 linear feet)
- Series 3: Artists' Files, 1928-2013 (Boxes 1-3; 2.5 linear feet)
- Series 4: Photographic Materials, 1988 (Boxes 3-4; 0.4 linear feet)
Biographical / Historical
Biographical / Historical
Art dealer and writer, Martin Diamond (b. 1924) owned Martin Diamond Fine Arts, Inc. with his wife, Harriette. The gallery was established in January 1976 and operated until 1986, specializing in pre-world War II American modern and Abstract Art. It then became a private gallery operating until 1996, when the couple retired. Martin Diamond was particularly interested in Transcendental Art, an area of Abstract Art focused on the artwork's spiritual qualities. His writings include Who Were They? My Personal Contact with 35 American Modernists Your Art Hisory Course Never Mentioned (1995) and his memoirs of his years as a New York City art dealer (1975-1985). Martin and Harriette Diamond presently reside in New Rochelle, New York. Artists represented by the gallery included Vaclav Vytlacil, Blanche Lazzell, and Marguerite and William Zorach.
Administration
Processing Information
The collection was processed to a minimal level and a finding aid prepared in 2015 by Harriet E. Shapiro.
Author
Harriet E. Shapiro
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The papers were donated to the Archives of American Art in 1993 and 2014 by Martin Diamond.
Using the Collection
Conditions Governing Access
Use of original materials requires an appointment. Use of archival audiovisual recordings with no duplicate access copy requires advance notice.
Preferred Citation
Martin Diamond papers, 1928-2013. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.
Terms of Use
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.
Related Materials
Related Materials
The Rutgers University Art Library in New Brunswick, New Jersey holds the "Martin and Harriet Diamond Vertical Files of American Art," which consists of 300 cubic feet of art exhibition catalogs dating from the late nineteenth century through the first half of the twentieth century.
Keywords
Repository Contact
Archives of American Art
750 9th Street, NW
Victor Building, Suite 2200
Washington, D.C. 20001
https://www.aaa.si.edu/services/questions