A Finding Aid to the Paul Sample papers, circa 1890-1974, in the Archives of American Art

Scope and Contents

The Paul Sample papers measure 3.2 linear feet and date from circa 1890-1974. Biographical Materials are composed of Sample's resume, lists of his artworks, documents relating to his parents Wilbur and Elfie, Sample's press passes for his position as a press correspondent and artist during World War Two, honors and awards, an interview, and Sample's obituary. Correspondence consists of letters between Sample and his friends, family, and supporters of his art. Writings includes the notes and manuscripts for various speeches by Sample, personal writings and diary entries, the manuscript of a book written about Sample by John D. Condit, and miscellaneous notes. Exhibition and Gallery files includes planning documents and correspondence with various galleries and receipts for exhibitions. Project and Commission Files contains documents regarding specific projects Sample worked on including planning, correspondence, and receipts. Printed Materials includes various pieces of foreign and US currency dating to World War 2, exhibition announcements, newspaper clippings, and magazine and journal clippings and articles referencing Sample and his artwork which are also present in the included scrapbook. Also included are various reproductions of his artwork. Photographic Materials includes photographs of Sample, his family, and his friends as well as photographs of Sample's artwork. Artwork contains sketches, sketchbooks, and watercolors by Sample.

Arrangement

This collection contains 8 series:

Biographical / Historical

Painter and Illustrator Paul Sample was born on September 4, 1896, in Louisville, Kentucky. Sample is known for his unique portrayal of New England via his own blend of Social Realism and Regionalism. In 1921 Sample graduated from Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire where he studied architecture. While enrolled at Dartmouth Sample spent a year in the Naval Reserves during World War One. While visiting his brother at a sanatorium in Saranac Lake, New York, Sample contracted tuberculosis which later influenced his works. While at Saranac, Sample studied under Jonas Lie, after which he studied at the Art Students League of Los Angeles and the Otis Art Institute in California where his works reflected social issues connected with the Great Depression. Sample's talent earned him a position at the University of Southern California's School of Architecture, and he later served as chair of the art department while also teaching night classes at the Chouinard School of Art. In 1938 Sample returned to Dartmouth to become the Artist in Residence, a position he held until 1962. During World War Two, Sample produced paintings and artworks for various magazines and publications. Sample is also known for creating the cover art for Carl Sundburg's novel Remembrance Rock and he was inducted into the National Academy in 1941. Sample died on February 26, 1974, at the age of 78 in Norwich, Vermont.

Related Materials

The archives also hold an oral history interview of Paul Sample conducted 1971 October 10, by Robert F. Brown.