Archives of American Art

A Finding Aid to the Donald H. Karshan Papers Relating to Alexander Archipenko, 1920-1973, in the Archives of American Art

Summary

Collection ID:
AAA.karsdona
Creators:
Karshan, Donald H.
Dates:
1920-1973
Languages:
English
.
Physical Description:
1.8 Linear feet
Repository:
The Donald H. Karshan papers relating to Alexander Achipenko measure 1.8 linear feet and date from 1920 to 1973, (bulk dates 1966-1970). Karshan, a print expert and collector, served as Curator of the Archipenko Collection and Director of the Archipenko Archive from circa 1966 until circa 1973. Exhibition files include records concerning University of California, Los Angeles's Alexander Archipenko Memorial Exhibition, 1967-1969, that traveled throughout the United States; an expanded version of the show was circulated in Europe by the Smithsonian Institution. The collection also contains general correspondence relating to the administration of the Archipenko Collection and Archipenko Archive, Leopold Survage, and writings on Archipenko's work and life by Karshan with related correspondence.

Scope and Content Note

Scope and Content Note
The Donald H. Karshan papers relating to Alexander Achipenko measure 1.8 linear feet and date from 1960 to 1973, (bulk dates 1966-1970). Exhibition files consist of records concerning UCLA's Alexander Archipenko Memorial Exhibition, 1967-1969, that traveled throughout the United States; an expanded version of the show that circulated in Europe by the Smithsonian Institution. The collection also contains general correspondence relating to the administration of the Archipenko Collection and Archipenko Archive, and writings on Archipenko's work and life by Karshan with related correspondence. Records pre-dating 1960 are printed matter and photocopies of Archipenko's correspondence with Leopold Survage gathered for reference purposes.
Exhibition files, 1960-1972, include correspondence, photographs, and printed matter relating to UCLA's Alexander Archipenko Memorial Exhibition, 1967-1969 at its various venues in the United States and its European tour sponsored by International Art Program of the Smithsonian Institution. There are similar records for Archipenko: The Parisian Years, an exhibition organized by the Museum of Modern Art.
General Correspondence, 1966-1973, relates to the Archipenko Collection and the Archipenko Archive, administered by Karshan and includes loan and reference requests, publication permissions, and sales information. Of particular interest is a file on Leopold Survage compiled in 1969 and documenting an attempt to purchase a Survage painting for Mrs. Arhcipenko to donate to the Museum of Modern Art; included is reference material consisting of photocopies of Archipenko's letters to Survage and a letter from Theodore Doesburg, printed matter, and photographs.
Writings by Donald H. Karshan, 1966-1968, consist of research notes and correspondence concerning his catalogue raisonné of Archipenko prints (1974). Also included are manuscripts of published articles and correspondence with editors.

Arrangement

Arrangement
The collection is arranged into three series:
  • Missing Title
  • Series 1: Exhibition Files, 1960-1972 (Boxes 1-2; 1.5 linear feet)
  • Series 2: General Correspondence, 1920-1973 (Box 3; 0.25 linear feet)
  • Series 3: Writings by Donald H. Karshan, 1966-1968 (Box 3; 0.25 linear feet)

Biographical Note

Biographical Note
Donald H. Karshan (b. 1929) is a print expert and collector who in 1964 established the Museum of Graphic Art, New York City. He was Curator of the Archipenko Collection and Director of the Archipenko Archive from circa 1966 until circa 1973. During this time, Karshan cataloged the estate collection and organized the archives. He was closely involved with the Archipenko memorial exhibition organized by UCLA in 1967 that traveled widely in the United States and an expanded version of the same show that was circulated Europe by the International Art Program of the Smithsonian Institution. Karshan wrote extensively on Archipenko and his oeuvre, including a catalogue raisonné of Archipenko's prints. His book, Alexander Archipenko: International Visionary, was published by the Smithsonian Institution to accompany the European tour of the memorial exhibition, 1969-1970.

Administration

Author
Catherine S. Gaines
Provenance
Gift of Frances Archipenko Gray, widow of Alexander Archipenko, 1982. Karshan's files were among the Alexander Archipenko Papers, and have been separated and arranged as a distinct collection.
Processing Information
The collection was processed by Catherine S. Gaines in 2002.

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
The Donald H. Karshan papers relating to Alexander Archipenko, 1920-1973. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.

Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Cubism Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Survage, Leopold Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Archipenko, Alexander, 1887-1964 Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

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