Records from Artist and Object files

The Records from Artist and Object files collection (1934-1993) consists of correspondence, photographs, and press clippings. The bulk of the collection is comprised of incoming and outgoing correspondence between artists whose work was supported by the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum or who participated in its exhibitions, and museum staff. Museum staff includes the directors of the museum (Hilla Rebay; James Johnson Sweeney; Thomas M. Messer; Thomas Krens; and Lisa Dennison), curatorial and administrative personnel, and Solomon R. Guggenheim. The correspondence is either typed or hand-written. While a number of the letters are quite personal in nature, the majority of the correspondence concerns the acquisition of works, arrangements for exhibitions, loans, and more general discussions regarding the nature of modern and non-objective art. Correspondence is in English, French, Italian, German, and Spanish. The records also include biographical questionnaires used by the museum to maintain accurate, current information on the artists represented in the collection and photographs of the artists, along with documents such as deeds of gift and licenses for copyright. Additionally, a small number of original artist sketches are present.