Archives of American Art

A Finding Aid to the Microfilm of the Morgan Russell Papers, 1891-1977, in the Archives of American Art

Summary

Collection ID:
AAA.russmorg
Creators:
Russell, Morgan, 1886-1953
Dates:
1891-1977
Languages:
English
.
Physical Description:
6.8 Linear feet
Repository:
The Morgan Russell papers, 1891-1977, present a good overview of Russell's career as a painter and sculptor, with an emphasis on his development of the color theory movement, Synchromism. The papers include correspondence, biographical material, transcripts of lectures given by Russell, illustrated notebooks and sketches, printed material and photographs.

Scope and Content Note

Scope and Content Note
The Morgan Russell papers present a good overview of Russell's career as a painter and sculptor, with an emphasis on his development of the color theory movement, Synchromism. The papers include correspondence with many prominent individuals who played a role in Russell's artistic development; biographical material primarily documenting his activities in Europe; transcripts of lectures given by Russell; illustrated notebooks and sketches documenting his interest in, and development of, color theory, music and Synchromism; printed material such as exhibition announcements, catalogs and clippings; and photographs of Russell, his wife, friends and artwork.

Arrangement

Arrangement
The collection is arranged as 7 series according to record type and reflecting the lender's arrangement. With the exception of Series 1: Correspondence, all series are arranged chronologically.
  • Missing Title
  • Series 1: Correspondence, 1909-1964 (Reels 4524-4527)
  • Series 2: Biographical Material, 1925-1941 (Reel 4527)
  • Series 3: Business Records, 1911-1946 (Reel 4527)
  • Series 4: Writings, 1931-1953 (Reel 4527)
  • Series 5: Unbound Notes and Sketches, 1891-1977 (Reels 4528-4538)
  • Series 6: Printed Material, 1908-1963 (Reels 4539-4541)
  • Series 7: Photographs, 1908-1948 (Reel 4542)

Biographical Note

Biographical Note
Painter and sculptor Morgan Russell was born in New York City. He studied at the Art Students League and the New York School of Art with James Earle Fraser, Andrew Dasburg and Robert Henri from 1906 to 1907, before settling in Paris in 1909 where he remained for almost forty years. After meeting Stanton Macdonald-Wright in 1911, he became interested in Synchromism and studied with Canadian color theorist Ernest Tudor-Hart. In 1913 Russell produced the first abstract Synchromies and in 1917 developed a series of Synchromies entitled EIDOS. He visited California in the early 1930s, teaching at the Chouinard School of Art in Los Angeles from 1931-1932, in addition to lecturing at museums in Los Angeles and San Francisco. Russell left France permanently in 1946 and died in Pennsylvania in 1953.

Administration

Author
Stephanie Ashley, Sharity Bannerman, Jean Fitzgerald and Ellen Loll
Provenance
The Morgan Russell papers were lent to the Archives of American Art for microfilming by the Montclair Art Museum in 1991. The material was returned to the lender in 1992.
Location of Originals
The Morgan Russell papers are owned by the Montclair Art Museum, New Jersey.
Alternative Forms Available
The collection is available on 35mm microfilm reels 4524-4542 available for use at Archives of American Art offices and through interlibrary loan.

Using the Collection

Restrictions on Access
The collection is open for research. Patrons must use microfilm copy.
Preferred Citation
Morgan Russell papers, 1891-1977. Microfilm reels 4524-4542. Originals in the Montclair Art Museum.

Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Synchromism (Art) Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Painters -- New York (State) -- New York Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Sculptors -- New York (State) -- New York -- Interviews Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Kikoïne, Michel, 1892-1968 Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Huston, Walter, 1884-1950 Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Macdonald-Wright, Stanton, 1890-1973 Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Stravinsky, Igor, 1882-1971 Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Stein, Leo, 1872-1947 Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Whitney, Gertrude Vanderbilt, 1875-1942 Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Alvarez, Mabel, 1891-1985 Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Henri, Robert, 1865-1929 Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

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