Holger Cahill papers
bulk 1910-1960
The papers of Holger Cahill (1887-1960) date from 1910 to 1993, with the bulk of the material dating from 1910-1960, and measure 15.8 linear feet. The collection offers researchers fairly comprehensive documentation of Cahill's directorship of the Works Progress/Projects Administration's (WPA) Federal Art Project (FAP) in addition to series documenting his work as a writer and art critic. Material includes correspondence, reports, artist files, scrapbooks, printed material, and photographs.
Exhibition Records
This accession consists of records that pertain to eight exhibitions which the Office of Exhibitions organized between 1983 and 1991. The bulk of the records includes correspondence between the National Portrait Gallery (NPG) Director, Alan Fern, and various national and international museum institutions, donors, art galleries, archives, various municipal and state historical …
Ruel P. Tolman Collection
The Ruel P. Tolman Collection contains official correspondence; biographical information; photocopies of prints, drawings and photographs; and scrapbooks. Included are papers relating to Tolman's work as a graphic artist, his interest in miniature painting, and his participation in arts-related organizations. Of particular interest are four scrapbooks. One scrapbook documents a …
Exhibition Records
This accession consists of records documenting research, planning, design, execution, and installation of exhibitions during the tenure of David Revere McFadden, Curator, 1978-1993; Deborah Shinn, Curator-in-Charge, 1995-1996, and Assistant Curator, 1997-2002; and Sarah Coffin, Curator, 2004- . Exhibitions documented in this accession include "Opulent Eye of Alexander Girard;" "Masterpieces from the Vitra Design Museum: Furnishing …
Lili Réthi Papers
Papers document artist and illustrator Lili Réthi who was best known for her drawings of industrial subjects such as bridges, construction scenes and mines.
Departmental Records
This accession consists of records documenting the activities of the Renwick Gallery during the tenures of Lloyd E. Herman, Director, 1971-1986; Michael W. Monroe, Curator-in-Charge, 1986-1995; and Kenneth R. Trapp, Curator-in-Charge, 1995-2003. Topics covered include art organizations; craft fairs and craft schools; correspondence with museums within and outside of the United States and …
Herbert Waide Hemphill papers
bulk 1876-1998
The papers of folk art collector and museum curator Herbert Waide Hemphill date from 1776-1998, bulk 1876-1998, and measure 26.7 linear feet. Found within the papers are biographical materials, personal business records, files documenting his collecting, writings, art work, minutes of meetings, a scrapbook, printed material including exhibition and auction announcements and catalogs, and miscellaneous artifacts. The collection also contains numerous photographs of Hemphill, family members, his residences, friends and colleagues, exhibitions, travel, and art work. Sound and video recordings include interviews of Hemphill.
John White Alexander papers
bulk 1870-1915
The papers of the painter, muralist, and illustrator John White Alexander measure 11.9 linear feet and date from 1775 to 1968, with the bulk of materials dating from 1870 to 1915. Papers document Alexander's artistic career and many connections to figures in the art world through biographical documentation, correspondence (some illustrated), writings, 14 sketchbooks, additonal artwork and loose sketches, scrapbooks, photographs, awards and medals, artifacts, and other records. Also found is a souvenir engraving of a Mark Twain self-portrait.
Eliot Elisofon Field collection
30000 Slides (photographs) (color)
80,000 Photographic prints (b&w, 25 x 20 cm. or smaller.)
This collection is comprised of photographic and manuscript materials, primarily created by Eliot Elisofon to document his travels and work. The images portray many aspects of African life and culture including agriculture, wildlife, archaeology, architecture, art and artisans, children, cityscapes and landscapes, leaders, markets, medicine, recreation, ritual and celebration, and transportation. The manuscript materials include correspondence, essays, clippings, puobligations, notes, research, and itineraries.
Exhibition Records
This accession consists of records that document the various exhibitions that were shown at the National Portrait Gallery (NPG) between 1973 and 1988, such as Return to Albion: Americans in England, 1760-1940, The Art of Henry Inman, The Artist's Mother: Portraits and Homages, Robert Edge Pine: A British Portrait Painter in America, 1784-1788, Masterpieces …