Archives of American Art

A finding Aid to the Roy Moyer papers, 1923-2013, bulk dates 1950-2000, in the Archives of American Art

Summary

Collection ID:
AAA.moyeroy
Creators:
Moyer, Roy, 1921-2007
Dates:
1923-2013
bulk 1950-2000
Languages:
The collection is in
English
, however, a small number of items are in
Greek
or
French
.
Physical Description:
2.8 Linear feet
Repository:
The papers of artist and arts administrator Roy Moyer measure 2.8 linear feet and date from 1923 to 2013, with the bulk of the materials dating from 1950 to 2000. The materials also concern to a limited degree Moyer's life partner, artist and art historian, Karl Lunde. Moyer's career is documented by writings, photographs of his artwork and exhibiton installations, as well as printed materials concerning exhibitions and his participation in cutural and community activities. There is limited correspondence or material of a personal nature.

Scope and Contents

Scope and Contents
The papers of artist and arts administrator Roy Moyer measure 2.8 linear feet and date from 1923 to 2013, with the bulk of the materials dating from 1950 to 2000. The materials also conern to a limited degree Moyer's life partner, artist and art historian, Karl Lunde. Moyer's career is documented by writings, photographs of his artwork and exhibiton installations, as well as printed materials concerning exhibitions and his participation in cultural and community activities. There is limited correspondence or material of a personal nature.
Biographical materials consist of biographical sketches of Moyer, hand written lists of sold paintings and purchasers, Moyer's diploma from Columbia University (M.A.,1947), and a 1977 award from the National Academy of Design in New York. Scattered letters concern Moyer's exhibited paintings and his participation at art related conferences.
Subject files include multiple exhibitions at galleries, materials concerning Karl Lunde, Moyer's employment at the American Federation of Arts and UNICEF, and his contributions to book projects. Writings include an essay, short articles, and student papers.
Printed materials document Moyer's exhibition history and his participation as speaker or panelist at cultural events in the capacity of art critic or art historian. Some items mention Moyer as director of the American Federation of Arts in an endorsement capacity.
Original artwork by Moyer includes pencil drawings and a small sketchbook, including figures and still lifes in color. There are two drawings of unknown origin, one of Moyer and one which appears to be Moyer and Lunde together.
Photographs are of Moyer, Moyer with Lunde, their apartment, and Moyer with colleagues. Also found are photographs of Moyer's artwork and exhibition installations.

Arrangement

Arrangement
The collection is arranged in 7 series.
  • Missing Title
  • Series 1: Biographical Material, 1947-2008 (Box 1; 1 folder)
  • Series 2: Letters, circa 1960s-1998 (Box 1; 1 folder)
  • Series 3: Writings, 1950-2007 (Box 1; 0.4 linear feet)
  • Series 4: Subject Files, 1950-2013 (Boxes 1-2; OV 5; 1.2 linear feet)
  • Series 5: Printed Material, 1959-2010 (Box 2; OV 5; 0.3 linear feet)
  • Series 6: Artwork, 1950s-1970s (Box 2; 0.1 linear feet)
  • Series 7: Photographs, 1923-2000 (Boxes 2-4; OV 5; 0.7 linear feet)

Biographical / Historical

Biographical / Historical
Artist and arts administrator Roy Moyer (1921-2007) and his life partner, artist and art historian Karl Lunde (1931-2009), lived and worked in the New York City area.
Moyer worked as the director of the American Federation of Arts for nine years, curating traveling art exhibitions, including the noted 50th anniversary re-creation of the 1913 New York Armory Show. During this period he also worked with art theorist Rudolph Arnheim on films relating to visual perception. Moyer then served as chief of art and design at UNICEF until 1986. He later devoted his time to painting and continued to exhibit until his death in 2007 following a hear attack.

Administration

Author
Harriet E. Shapiro
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The papers were donated to the Archives of American Art in 2011 by Karl Lunde.
Processing Information
The collection was processed by Harriet E. Shapiro in 2013.

Using the Collection

Preferred Citation
Roy Moyer papers, 1923-2013. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.
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
Use of original material requires an appointment. Use of archival audiovisual recordings with no duplicate access copy requires advance notice.

Related Materials
Also found in the Archives of American Art is an oral history interview with Roy Moyer conducted by Paul Cummings in 1975.

Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Art critics -- New York (State) -- New York Occupation Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Drawings Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Arts administrators -- New York (State) -- New York Occupation Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Photographs Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Art historians -- New York (State) -- New York Occupation Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
American Federation of Arts Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Lunde, Karl Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
UNICEF Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

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