Archives of American Art

A Finding aid to the Louis Finkelstein Papers, 1930-2001, in the Archives of American Art

Summary

Collection ID:
AAA.finkloui
Creators:
Finkelstein, Louis
Dates:
1930-2001
Languages:
The collection is primarily in English but there is one file of notes corresponding to a lecture Finkelstein gave in Brazil that is in Portuguese.
Physical Description:
11.2 Linear feet
Repository:
The papers of painter, educator, and writer Louis Finkelstein measure 11.2 linear feet and date from 1930 to 2001. The papers document his career in New York through biographical material; correspondence with friends and colleagues; printed material such as exhibition catalogs, announcements, and published articles; sketches and sketchbooks; and professional material, including exhibition records and documents related to his time on the board of directors of the National Academy of Design. Also found are teaching materials and extensive writings, including notes and lecture outlines in over 40 notebooks and draft articles and lectures written by Finkelstein and others. The collection also includes over 40 sound recordings of lectures and audio notes by Finkelstein. Photographic materials include personal photographs, photographs of artwork, and slides used for lectures.

Scope and Contents

Scope and Contents
The papers of painter, educator, and writer Louis Finkelstein measure 11.2 linear feet and date from 1930 to 2001. The papers document his career in New York through biographical material; correspondence with friends and colleagues; printed material such as exhibition catalogs, announcements, and published articles; sketches and sketchbooks; and professional material, including exhibition records and documents related to his time on the board of directors of the National Academy of Design. Also found are teaching materials and extensive writings, including notes and lecture outlines in over 40 notebooks and draft articles and lectures written by Finkelstein and others. The collection also includes over 40 sound recordings of lectures and audio notes by Finkelstein. Photographic materials include personal photographs, photographs of artwork, and slides used for lectures.

Arrangement

Arrangement
The collection is arranged as 8 series.
  • Series 1: Biographical Material, 1944-1999 (0.3 linear feet; Box 1, OV 12)
  • Series 2: Correspondence, 1969-2000 (0.2 linear feet; Box 1)
  • Series 3: Printed Material, 1942-2001 (1.1 linear feet; Boxes 1-2)
  • Series 4: Professional Activity Files, 1974-1999 (0.4 linear feet; Boxes 2)
  • Series 5: Teaching Materials, circa 1980-1993 (0.6 linear feet; Box 2-3)
  • Series 6: Writings, circa 1950-2000 (5.5 linear feet; Boxes 3-8)
  • Series 7: Photographs, circa 1930-2000 (0.5 linear feet; Box 9, OV 12)
  • Series 8: Artwork, circa 1970-2000 (0.5 linear feet; Box 9, OV 13)
  • Series 9: Sound Recordings, 1960-1980 (2.1 linear feet; Boxes 9-11

Biographical / Historical

Biographical / Historical
Louis Finkelstein (1923-2000) was a painter, educator, and writer in New York, NY. Finkelstein was born in New York City and studied painting at the Cooper Union, Art Students League of New York, and the Brooklyn Museum School of Art. Finkelstein was an educator and a lecturer at Philadelphia College of Art, Yale School of Art, and Queens College, where he was head of the Art department for over 25 years. Finkelstein was also a member of the National Academy of Design.

Administration

Author
Ricky Gomez
Sponsor
The processing of this collection received Federal support from the Smithsonian Collections Care and Preservation Fund, administered by the National Collections Program and the Smithsonian Collections Advisory Committee.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The Louis Finkelstein papers were donated to the Archives of American Art by Jane Culp, widow of Louis Finkelstein, in 2001.
Processing Information
The collection was processed, and a finding aid prepared by Ricky Gomez in 2019.
Existence and Location of Copies
All of the sound recordings in this collection were digitized for research access in 2013 and are available at Archives of American Art offices.

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. Researchers interested in accessing born-digital records or audiovisual recordings in this collection must use access copies. Contact References 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.
Preferred Citation
Louis Finkelstein papers, 1930-2001. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.

Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Art teachers -- New York (State) -- New York Occupation Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Painters -- New York (State) -- New York Occupation Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

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