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Archives of American Art
A Finding Aid to the Beatrice S. Levy Papers, 1890-1994, in the Archives of American Art
Summary
- Collection ID:
- AAA.levybeat
- Creators:
-
Levy, Beatrice S. (Beatrice Sophia), 1892-1974
- Dates:
-
1890-1994
- Languages:
-
English.
- Physical Description:
-
4.2 Linear feet
- Repository:
The Beatrice S. Levy papers measure 4.2 linear feet and date from 1890-1994. The collection comprises biographical material that includes family and personal letters, awards and certificates, donation records, and biographical statements; 45 diaries and notes detailing Levy's daily life in and out of the studio; professional files consists of correspondence, business records, and files for the Chicago Society of Artists and Chicago Society of Etchers; printed materials include clippings relating to Art News and Levy's work, exhibition catalogs and announcements; photographs of Levy and friends, family and travel in 4 albums, as well as photographs used as source material; and artwork including portraits of friends, prints and sketches, and sketchbooks.
Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents
The Beatrice S. Levy papers measure 4.2 linear feet and date from 1890-1994. The collection comprises biographical material that includes family and personal letters, awards and certificates, donation records, and biographical statements; 45 diaries and notes detailing Levy's daily life in and out of the studio; professional files consists of correspondence, business records, and files for the Chicago Society of Artists and Chicago Society of Etchers; printed materials include clippings relating to Art News and Levy's work, exhibition catalogs and announcements; photographs of Levy and friends, family and travel in 4 albums, as well as photographs used as source material; and artwork including portraits of friends, prints and sketches, and sketchbooks.
Arrangement
Arrangement
The collection is arranged as 6 series.
- Series 1: Biographical Material, 1910s-circa 1974 (0.4 linear feet; Box 1, OV 7)
- Series 2: Diaries and Notes, circa 1906-1972 (0.6 linear feet; Box 1)
- Series 3: Professional Files, 1910s-1994 (0.6 linear feet; Boxes 1-2)
- Series 4: Printed Material, 1890-1985 (0.4 linear feet; Box 2)
- Series 5: Photographic Material, 1894-circa 1950s (1.1 linear feet; Boxes 3, 6)
- Series 6: Artwork, 1900s-1960s (1.1 linear feet; Boxes 4-6, OVs 8-9)
Biographical / Historical
Biographical / Historical
Beatrice S. Levy (1892-1974) was an etcher in Chicago, Ill. and La Jolla, Calif. Levy studied at the Art Institute of Chicago under Ralph Clarkson and with Charles W. Hawthorne in Provincetown, Massachusetts. She had a studio in Chicago's 57th Street Art Colony. Her work was exhibited at the Panama-Pacific International Exhibition (1915), the Century of Progress in Chicago (1933-1934), and the New York's World's Fair (1939). Levy was President of the Chicago Society of Artists, Supervisor of the Works Progress Administration Art Project Gallery, and Supervisor of the Easel Painting Division in 1936 for the Federal Art Project. In 1950 she moved to California, where she taught at the La Jolla Museum School of Arts and Crafts (1961-1962) and continued to exhibit her work.
Administration
Author
Sarah Mundy
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The Beatrice S. Levy papers were donated in 2018 and 2023 by Heather Peck, granddaughter of Dorothy Stratton, a friend of Beatrice Levy. Material microfilmed on reel 4190 (frames 773-1023) was originally part of a larger collection of material given to the University of Louisville (Kentucky) by Samuel Steinfeld, a cousin of Beatrice Levy. The University of Louisville transferred this group of papers to the Art Institute of Chicago, who in turn donated them to the Archives of American Art in 1986. Samuel Steinfeld donated additional material on reel 4190 (frames 1024-1311) in 1986.
Existence and Location of Copies
Portions of the collection are available on microfilm reel 4190 at the Archives of American Art offices, at the Chicago Institute's Ryerson Library, and through interlibrary loan. Researchers should note that the arrangement of material described in the container inventory does not reflect the arrangement of the collection on microfilm.
Processing Information
The collection was processed, and a finding aid prepared by Sarah Mundy in 2023.
Using the Collection
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.
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.
Preferred Citation
Beatrice S. Levy papers, 1890-1994. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.
Keywords
| Keyword Terms | Keyword Types | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Etchers -- Illinois -- Chicago | Occupation | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
| Art teachers -- Illinois -- Chicago | Occupation | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
| Engravers -- Illinois -- Chicago | Occupation | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
| Women artists | Topical | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
| Women educators | Topical | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
| Art, Modern -- 20th century -- Illinois -- Chicago | Topical | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
| Art, Modern -- 20th century -- California | Topical | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
| Chicago Society of Artists | Corporate Name | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
| Chicago Society of Etchers | Corporate Name | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
Archives of American Art
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Victor Building, Suite 2200
Washington, D.C. 20001
Business Number: Phone: 202-633-7950
https://www.aaa.si.edu/services/questions
