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Archives of American Art
Thornton Oakley papers
Summary
- Collection ID:
- AAA.oaklthor
- Creators:
-
Oakley, Thornton, 1881-1953
- Dates:
-
1906-1953
- Languages:
-
English.
- Physical Description:
-
3 Linear feet(on 4 microfilm reels)
- Repository:
Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents
Correspondence, artist files and subject files relate to Oakley's activities as an artist and illustrator, and his involvement with numerous art organizations, including the Philadelphia Art Alliance, the Philadelphia Water Color Club, the Artists' War Relief Committee of Philadelphia, and the Exposition of Indian Tribal Arts. Artist files on Cecilia Beaux, Florence Este, John Taylor Arms, John McLure Hamilton, Christian Brinton, George Morrow, Leila Mechlin, John Harkrider, Alexander Robinson, and Joseph Pennell, among others, primarily contain letters. Some also include photographs and printed matter. Four inches of letters from Beaux discuss working habits, portrait commissions, life in Paris, and personal matters. Letters from Este discuss life in France during the war, French artists, exhibitions at the Philadelphia Water Color Club, and Cecilia Beaux. Other material relates to Oakley's mural for the Franklin Institute.
Arrangement
Arrangement
I.Finding aid. II.Cecilia Beaux correspondence, 1907-1942. III.Research materials for Oakley's biography of Beaux. IV.Florence Este correspondence, 1914-1925. V.Subject files, 1918-1952. VI.Artist files, 1906-1953.
Biographical / Historical
Biographical / Historical
Watercolorist and illustrator; Philadephia, Pa.
Administration
Existence and Location of Copies
35mm microfilm reels 4394-4397 available at Archives of American Art offices, through interlibrary loan, at the Free Library of Philadelphia, and the Brandywine River Museum.
Existence and Location of Originals
Originals in Brandywine River Museum.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Microfilmed in 1990 as part of AAA's Philadelphia Arts Documentation Project. The papers were donated to the Brandywine River Museum by Oakley's daughter, Lansdale Oakley Humphreys. Unfilmed portions of the papers relate to publications, the First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia, the National Geographic Society, French and Scandinavian organizations, and war relief efforts, among other topics.
Using the Collection
Conditions Governing Access
The Archives of American art does not own the original papers. Use is limited to the microfilm copy.
Keywords
Archives of American Art
750 9th Street, NW
Victor Building, Suite 2200
Washington, D.C. 20001
https://www.aaa.si.edu/services/questions