Archives of American Art

Alfred James Tulk papers

Summary

Collection ID:
AAA.tulkalfr
Creators:
Tulk, Alfred James, 1899-1988
Dates:
1923-1986
Languages:
English
.
Physical Description:
1.5 Linear feet
Repository:

Scope and Contents

Scope and Contents
Photographs, artwork, scrapbooks, and Tulk's autobiography document his career as an artist. Over 160 photographs (ca. 1920's-1980's) depict Tulk and his work. Eighty-three drawings and paintings range from student work at Yale to professional designs for the Rambusch Company and other design firms. Two scrapbooks assembled by Tulk contain reviews and exhibit announcements. His autobiography, describing his two-year residence in West Africa in the 1930's, and a descriptive list of murals painted between 1925-1960 are included among his notes and writings. Letters (1940-1986) are mostly business-related correspondence between Tulk and the Rambusch Company. Clippings (1936-1984) discuss the altar designs Tulk created for ships and camps during World War II and his work for the Rambusch Company. Other materials include a 1985 video-taped interview with Tulk and many copyright certificates for his designs.

Biographical / Historical

Biographical / Historical
Born in London, England. Tulk received his Bachelors Degree from Yale University in 1923 and his Masters Degree from the University of Guanajualo, Mexico. Mural painting occupied most of his earlier years with commissions in painting, stained glass, and mosaics. He painted over 300 large murals between 1925 and 1954 for theatres, churches, hotels, restaurants, and private homes. During World War II Tulk worked with camouflage and the painting of altar triptychs for U.S. Chaplains in camps and on battleships. From 1960 to 1987 he painted landscapes, portraits, and abstract paintings.

Administration

Immediate Source of Acquisition
Papers were bequeathed to Tulk's daughter, Sheila Tulk Payne, who donated them to the Archives.

Using the Collection

Conditions Governing Access
Use of original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C., Research Center. Contact Reference Services for more information.

Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Painting, Abstract -- Connecticut Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Mural painting and decoration Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Landscape painting -- Connecticut Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Art and religion Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Christian art and symbolism Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Muralists Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Africa, West -- Description and Travel -- 1851-1950 Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Drawings Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Interviews Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Scrapbooks Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Video recordings Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Portrait painters Occupation Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Mosaicists Occupation Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Stained glass artists Occupation Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Art teachers -- Connecticut Occupation Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Landscape painters -- Connecticut Occupation Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
World War, 1939-1945 Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Rambusch (Firm) Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Rambusch Glass and Decorating Company Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

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