Archives of American Art

Peter Fingesten papers

Summary

Collection ID:
AAA.fingpete
Creators:
Fingesten, Peter
Pace University. Art Dept
Dates:
1936-2022
Languages:
English
.
Physical Description:
2.7 Linear feet
Repository:

Scope and Contents

Scope and Contents
The papers of sculptor, graphic artist and educator Peter Fingesten measure 2.7 linear feet and date from 1936-1988. Included are biographical material, correspondence, writings, teaching material, personal business records, photographs, works of art, printed material and a scrapbook.
Scope and Contents
Correspondence concerns Fingesten's association with Pace University and his writings and lectures. Among the correspondence is a postcard from Ad Reinhardt, circa 1962, commending Fingesten for his articles in the College Art Journal. Writings including diaries, essays, art and exhibition reviews, and manuscripts by Fingesten and others including is a draft of Fingesten's article, "Breast of the Madonna," and related research material. Also included is an illustrated journal written by Carole Forbes and illustrated by Shaunna Dancause, dedicated to Peter, 2019-2022. Teaching material consists of lecture notes and syllabi for courses taught at Pace University. Personal business records include lists of works of art with prices, appraisals, consignments and receipts. Photographs are of Fingesten, his family, friends, and works of art. Works of art consist of seven signed and numbered prints by Fingesten. Printed material includes articles by Fingesten, exhibition catalogs and announcements, clippings, reviews of Fingesten's writings and books about religion, death, and the ancient world and a folio of reproductions of nine drawings A scrapbook, 1936-1957, (disbound) also includes printed material.

Biographical / Historical

Biographical / Historical
Peter Fingesten (1916-1987) was a sculptor, graphic artist, and educator in New York. Born Berlin, Germany, Fingesten emigrated to the United States in 1939. He founded the Pace University Art Department in 1950 and served as chairman until 1986.

Administration

Existence and Location of Copies
A small amount of the collection is available on 35mm microfilm reels 2804 (some printed materials) and 3482 (postcard from Ad Reinhardt). Microfilm is available at Archives of American Art offices and through interlibrary loan..
Immediate Source of Acquisition
A small amount of printed material and a postcard from Ad Reinhardt was donated by Peter Fingesten in 1971 and 1976. His widow, Carole C. Fingesten Forbes, donated the remainder in 1989-1995, 2014, 2017 and 2023.

Using the Collection

Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research. Access to original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C. Research Center.
Conditions Governing Use
"Breast of the Madonna" draft and and related research material: Authorization to publish, quote, or reproduce requires written permission from Carole Fingesten Forbes. Contact Reference Services for more information.
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.

Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Art -- Study and teaching -- New York (State) -- New York Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Sculpture, Modern -- 20th century -- United States Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Sculptors -- New York (State) -- New York Occupation Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Educators -- New York (State) -- New York Occupation Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Ahsen, Akhter Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Fingesten, Michel, 1884-1943 Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Reinhardt, Ad, 1913-1967 Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

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