Archives of American Art

A Finding Aid to the Edmund Greacen papers, 1897-1972, bulk 1905-1949, in the Archives of American Art.

Summary

Collection ID:
AAA.greaedmu
Creators:
Greacen, Edmund W., 1876-1949
Dates:
1987-1972
bulk 1905-1949
Languages:
Collection is in English.
Physical Description:
1.2 Linear feet
Repository:
The papers of American Impressionist painter Edmund Greacen measure 1.2 linear feet and date from 1897-1972, bulk 1905-1949. The collection consists of biographical information and correspondence both personal and professional in nature, pertaining to his career as well as Greacen's various affiliations including the National Academy of Design, the National Arts Club, the Manhattan School of Art, and the Grand Central School of Art. Writings by Greacen, including an essay, "The Origins of Landscape Painting," and an unpublished book titled "Logic in Drawing" elucidate his perspective on art traditions and art education. There are works of art including pencil drawings and drypoint etchings, as well as photographs depicting portraits of the artist, group portraits documenting Greacen's various academic and professional affiliations, and reproductions of works of art. Also included exhibition catalogs, brochures, and other printed material.

Scope and Contents

Scope and Contents
The papers of American Impressionist painter Edmund Greacen measure 1.2 linear feet and date from 1897-1972, bulk 1905-1949. The collection consists of biographical information and correspondence both personal and professional in nature, pertaining to his career as well as Greacen's various affiliations including the National Academy of Design, the National Arts Club, the Manhattan School of Art, and the Grand Central School of Art. Writings by Greacen, including an essay, "The Origins of Landscape Painting," and an unpublished book titled "Logic in Drawing" elucidate his perspective on art traditions and art education. There are works of art including pencil drawings and drypoint etchings, as well as photographs depicting portraits of the artist, group portraits documenting Greacen's various academic and professional affiliations, and reproductions of works of art. Also included exhibition catalogs, brochures, and other printed material.

Arrangement

Arrangement
The collection is arranged in five series:
Series 1: Biographical and Professional (Box 1, Box 3) Series 2: Correspondence (Boxes 1-2) Series 3: Writings (Box 2) Series 4: Photographs (Boxes 2-3) Series 5: Artwork (Box 3, OV 4)

Biographical / Historical

Biographical / Historical
Edmund William Greacen (1876-1949) was an American Impressionist painter born in New York City. Greacen traveled extensively throughout Europe early in his career, which afforded him the opportunity to exhibit his work in Paris, and participate in the international art scene both abroad and in New York City. He is particularly known for his oil paintings on canvas and board depicting both human subjects and landscapes. In 1922 he was awarded the Samuel T. Shaw Prize from the Salmagundi Club following his solo show at the Macbeth Gallery. During his career, he was an active member of the Salmagundi Club, the National Academy of Design, and the National Arts Club where he served as Arts Committee Chair. He helped found the Manhattan School of Art as well as the Grand Central School of Art in 1923, and he served as director of both. He was also a member of the Old Lyme Art Colony of American Impressionists at Old Lyme, Connecticut.

Administration

Author
Ryan Evans
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The Edmund Greacen papers were donated to the Archives of American Art in 1971 by Mrs. Edmund Greacen, Jr., daughter-in-law of Edmund Greacen, and in 2017 by Elizabeth G. Knudsen, granddaughter of Edmund Greacen.
Processing Information
The collection was processed and a finding aid prepared by Ryan Evans in 2018.
Existence and Location of Copies
Portions of this collection are available on 35 mm microfilm reels 99 and 105 at the Archives of American Art offices and through interlibrary loan. Researchers should note that the arrangement of the material described in the container inventory does not reflect the arrangement of the collection on microfilm.

Using the Collection

Conditions Governing Access
Use of original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C., Research Center. 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.
Preferred Citation
Edmund Greacen papers, 1897-1972, bulk 1905-1949. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.

Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Art, American Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Art -- Study and teaching Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Art teachers -- New York (State) -- New York Occupation Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Drawing Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Impressionism (Art) Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Landscape painting Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Painters -- New York (State) -- New York Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Drawings Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Etchings Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Photographs Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Sketches Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
National Academy of Design (U.S.) Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
National Arts Club (New York, N.Y.) Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

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