Archives of American Art

A Finding Aid to the Burgoyne Diller Papers, 1924-1987, in the Archives of American Art

Summary

Collection ID:
AAA.dillburg
Creators:
Diller, Burgoyne, 1906-1965
Dates:
1924-1987
Languages:
English
.
Physical Description:
1.5 Linear feet
Repository:
The Burgoyne Diller papers measure 1.5 linear feet and date from 1924-1987. The collection documents the abstract painter's career and includes two letters, a notebook, four annotated sketchbooks, art work, and clippings. The collection primarily consists of art work, including hundreds of drawings that document the development of Burgoyne Diller's unique artistic style. An unprocessed addition measuring 0.4 linear feet consists of sketches and studies by Diller.

Scope and Content Note

Scope and Content Note
The Burgoyne Diller papers measure 1.5 linear feet and date from 1924-1987. The collection documents the abstract painter's career and includes two letters, a notebook, four annotated sketchbooks, art work, and clippings. The collection primarily consists of art work, including hundreds of drawings that document the development of Burgoyne Diller's unique artistic style. An additional 0.4 linear feet of sketches and studies by Diller were accessioned in 2010 and remains unprocessed.

Arrangement

Arrangement
The collection is arranged as five series. Series 1 and 4 are arranged chronologically. Series 2 consists of a single dismantled notebook which maintains the creator's original arrangement. Series 3 has been arranged in a numerically consecutive order introduced by the donor, Kenneth W. Prescott. There are gaps in art work's numerical sequences.
  • Missing Title
  • Series 1: Letters, 1940 (Box 1; 1 folder)
  • Series 2: Notebook, 1932-1933 (Box 1; 6 folders)
  • Series 3: Art work, 1924-1964, undated (Box 1-3; OVS 4-9; 33 folders)
  • Series 4: Clippings, 1926-1968, undated (Box 2; 10 folders)
  • Series 5: Unprocessed Addition to the Burgoyne Diller Papers, 1930-1987 (Box 10, OV 11; 0.4 linear ft.)

Biographical Note

Biographical Note
Born in New York City in 1906, Burgoyne Diller was brought up in Michigan and attended Michigan State College. He returned to New York in 1926 and studied at the Art Students League from 1928 to 1932, with Hans Hofmann. Diller made his first geometrical paintings in the 1930s, which were influenced by the rigid formulas of Piet Mondrian's "pure plastic art." Diller's work evolved into an abstract mode of configurations of lines, angles, and primary colors. Diller was one of the original members of the American Abstract Artists.
Between 1935 and 1941, Diller worked for the New York City Federal Arts Program, Mural Division, Works Progress Administration, eventually becoming Director. During that time, he provided commissions for many of the most advanced artists of the day, including Arshile Gorky and Stuart Davis. In 1945, he became associate professor of art at Brooklyn College. Burgoyne Diller died in 1965.

Administration

Author
Jean Fitzgerald
Provenance
The Burgoyne Diller papers were donated by the Grace Diller estate via William C. LaCrone, executor, in 1992. Some of the papers were donated by the Diller estate via art historian Kenneth W. Prescott, in 4 installments dating 1983-2000. An unprocessed addition of 0.4 linear feet received in 2010 was donated by Emma-Stina Prescott.
Processing Information
The collection was processed by Jean Fitzgerald in October 2002. An addition of 0.4 linear feet donated in 2010 remains unprocessed.

Using the Collection

Restrictions on Access
The collection is open for research. Use requires an appointment and is limited to the Washington, D.C. research facility.
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.
Preferred Citation
Burgoyne Diller papers, 1924-1987. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.

Related Material
Burgoyne Diller collection of printed material, 1932-1961.

Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Art, Modern -- 20th century -- United States Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Neoplasticism Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Painting, Abstract Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Works of art Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Drawings Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Painters -- New York (State) -- New York Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Sketches Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

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