Margit Rowell records

Margit Rowell records

Collection Overview

Repository:
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum Archives.
Creator:
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum. Curatorial Department.
Title:
Margit Rowell records
Call Number:
A0023
Dates:
1956-1981 (bulk 1971-1980)
Volume:
7 cubic ft. (7 record center cartons)
Biographical Abstract:
Margit Rowell (MR) is an art historian and independent curator who spent fourteen years (1969-1983) on staff at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum. MR has held curatorial positions at cultural institutions in the United States and Europe.
Scope and Content Abstract:
The Margit Rowell (MR) records span the years 1956-1981 (bulk 1971-1980) and document exhibitions and projects undertaken during her tenure as a curator at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum (SRGM). The records are comprised of correspondence, reports, memoranda, photographs, schedules, wall lists, research files, and posters. This collection reflects MR's work as an exhibition curator, educator and writer. The records contain information pertaining to exhibitions curated by MR, general SRGM operations, research and independent projects undertaken by MR beyond the scope of her work at the SRGM.
Location:
OS
Language:
Collection is primarily in English and French.
Arrangement:
Organized into 4 series: 1. Administration; 2. Exhibitions and Objects; 3. Research Files; and 4. Personal.
Restrictions:
The collection is partially restricted. For further information, please consult the Manager of the Library and Archives.
Publication Rights:
Requests for permission to publish material from this collection should be discussed with the Manager of the Library and Archives.
Preferred Citation:
Margit Rowell records. A0023. Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum Archives, New York, NY.
Subjects:
Art -- 20th century -- Exhibitions.
Art, Modern -- 20th century.
International Council of Museums.
Museum loans.
Museums -- Curatorship.
Contributors:
Rowell, Margit, 1937-
Messer, Thomas M.
School of Visual Arts (New York, N.Y.).
Verre, Philip, 1952-
Finding aid prepared by Lesley Espenship and David O'Neill in February 2008.

Biographical Note

Margit Rowell (MR) is an art historian, scholar and independent curator who spent fourteen years (1969-1983) on staff at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum (SRGM). MR was born in New Haven, Connecticut on November 2, 1937 and was raised in Baltimore Maryland. After receiving her B.A. in French in 1959 from Connecticut College for Women, MR went on to earn her M.A. in Art History from the Institut d'Art et d'Archeologie in 1966, and her Ph.D. in Art History from Universite de Paris Nanterre in 1968.

MR began her career at the SRGM in 1969 as a research fellow. The following year MR curated her first exhibition at the SRGM: "Fangor." During her tenure at the SRGM, she curated several exhibitions including: "Joan Miró: Magnetic Fields;" "Jean Dubuffet: A Retrospective;" "The Planar Dimension: Europe, 1912-1932;" Piet Mondrian, 1872-1944;" and "New Images from Spain." MR also contributed to several SRGM exhibition catalogues. In 1980, MR was named curator of special exhibitions at the SRGM.

After leaving SRGM in 1983, MR held curatorial positions at the Musee National d'Art Moderne and the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris, the Fundacio Joan Miró in Barcelona, and the Centro de arte Reina Sofia in Madrid. In 1994 MR became chief curator of the department of drawings at the Museum of Modern Art and held this position until 2002. Since leaving the Museum of Modern Art, MR has worked as an independent curator, most notably curating an exhibition of Ed Ruscha drawings at the Whitney Museum of American Art in 2004. MR has authored and contributed to books on modern artists as well as many scholarly journal articles. MR maintains involvement in various museum councils, including the International Council of Museums of Modern and Contemporary Art (ICOM/CIMAM) where she served as president from 1989-1992, and the International Association of Art Critics (AICA), where she served as vice president of the American section from 1978-1981.

In 2004 MR once again collaborated with the SRGM, guest curating an exhibition for the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao entitled "Oteiza: Myth and Modernism." This exhibition traveled to the SRGM in June of 2005.

Chronology

1966Received M.A. in Art History from the Institut d'Art et d'Archeologie in Paris.
1968Earned Ph.D. from the Universite de Paris Nanterre.
1969Joined Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum as a research fellow.
1970Curated first show at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum: "Fangor" (# 238).
1971Curated "Piet Mondrian, 1872-1944: Centennial Exhibition" (#244) at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum.
1972Curated "Joan Miró: Magnetic Fields" (#257) at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum.
1973Curated "Jean Dubuffet: A Retrospective" (#265) at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum.
1975Curated "Frantisek Kupka, 1871-1957: A Retrospective" (#289) at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum.
1979Curated "The Planar Dimension: Europe, 1912-1932" (#340) at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum.
1980Curated "Ad Reinhardt and Color" (#349) at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum.
1980Curated "New Images from Spain" (#353) at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum.
1981Curated "Art of the Avant-Garde in Russia: Selections from the George Costakis Collection" (#377) at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum.
1983Curated "Julio González: A Retrospective" (#402) at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum.
1980Promoted to curator of special exhibitions by Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum Director, Thomas Messer.
1983Leaves Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum.
1983Appointed curator at the Musee National d' Art Moderne and the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris.
1987Appointed director of exhibitions at the Fundacio Joan Miró in Barcelona.
1990Appointed curator in charge of programming at the Centro de arte Reina Sofia in Madrid.
1991Appointed curator of sculpture at the Pompidou.
1994Appointed chief curator of the department of drawings at the Museum of Modern Art.
2002Leaves the Museum of Modern Art.
2004Guest curated "Oteiza: Myth and Modernism" at Guggenheim Museum Bilbao.
2005"Oteiza: Myth and Modernism" exhibition traveled to Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum.

Bibliography

Whitney Museum of American Art. "Press Release: Whitney Presents Ed Ruscha and Photography, June 24 to September 26, 2004." (accessed November 1, 2007).
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum. "SRGM Annual Report: 2004 Exhibitions." (accessed November 1, 2007).
New York Times, 2 Guggenheim Curators Promoted to Directors: 'Seemed Appropriate,' November 8, 1980.
Museum of Modern Art. "Press Release." (accessed October 26, 2007).
New York Times,Oxford's Myopic 'Companion to Art.' August 9, 1970.
Margit Rowell Biography and Resume. Box 709662. Margit Rowell records. A0023. Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum Archives, New York, NY.

Scope and Content Note

The Margit Rowell (MR) records span the years 1956-1981 (bulk 1971-1980) and document exhibitions and projects undertaken during her tenure as a curator at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum (SRGM). The records are comprised of correspondence, reports, memoranda, photographs, schedules, wall lists, research and posters. This collection reflects MR's work as an exhibition curator, educator and writer. It also details MR's relationships with lenders, artists and staff at various art institutions. The records contain information pertaining to exhibitions curated by MR as well as her records relating to general SRGM operations. Items collected for research purposes, both on artists and art movements, are included. Personal correspondence and independent projects undertaken by MR beyond the scope of her work at the SRGM are also documented. Collection is organized into four series: 1. Administrative; 2. Exhibitions and Objects; 3. Research; and 4. Personal.

Series Descriptions

Series 1. Administrative, 1969-1981, 1 cubic ft.
Summary: Series 1. Administrative contains records pertaining to general Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum (SRGM) operations and Margit Rowell's (MR) involvement in arts related councils and committees. This series includes correspondence, memoranda, reports, schedules, and SRGM policies and procedures. MR's participation in the International Council of Museums of Modern and Contemporary Art (ICOM/CIMAM) is documented in correspondence and related travel records. The correspondence organized by country is between MR and staff in museums worldwide. This correspondence reflects both parties' interest in potential exhibition collaboration and plans for MR's travel to these countries. Installation and exhibition schedules in this series are general in nature. Similar schedules related to MR curated exhibitions can be found in series 2. Exhibitions and Objects.
Arrangement: Alphabetical
Series 2. Exhibitions and Objects, 1956-1981 (bulk 1971-1979), 5 cubic ft.
Summary: Series 2. Exhibitions and Objects contains records pertaining to the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum (SRGM) permanent collection and SRGM exhibitions curated by Margit Rowell. Subseries A. Exhibitions includes records relating to exhibitions, such as correspondence and reports, include information pertaining to loans, exhibition installation, catalogue creation and events. This subseries documents the process of curating an exhibition at the SRGM, which is reflected in MR's research and exhibition proposals; MR's correspondence with lenders; acoustiguide scripts and wall lists. In addition to SRGM exhibition information, this series includes records on both proposed and cancelled exhibitions. Photographs, which capture both artists and SRGM staff and curators, are present here as well. Subseries B. Permanent Collection includes records which largely contain information on acquisitions. Also present in this series are several metal index card containers which include exhibition research data, such as selected bibliographies and artist information.
Arrangement: Organized into two subseries: A. Exhibitions and B. Permanent Collection.
Series 3. Research Files, 1967-1980, .5 cubic ft.
Summary: Series 3. Research Files contains information collected by Margit Rowell on artists, art movements and related subjects. Items include handwritten notes and newspaper and magazine clippings. Research on targets explores the artistic use of the bulls-eye symbol. This series does not pertain to specific exhibitions. Research connected to Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum exhibitions can be found in series 2. Exhibitions and Objects.
Arrangement: Alphabetical
Series 4. Personal, 1969-1975, .5 cubic ft.
Summary: Series 4. Personal reflects work completed by Margit Rowell (MR) outside of her responsibilities at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum. This includes courses taught at the School of Visual Arts and exhibitions curated at other institutions. The series also contains information on the production of MR's book on Miró, including research, related correspondence and drafts. Additionally included is MR's biography and resume.
Arrangement: Alphabetical

Folder List

Series 1. Administrative, 1969-1981, 1 cubic ft.
BoxFolderTitleDate
709910Acme Gallery/Acme Housingundated
709910Asscociation of Art Museum Directors: Directoriesundated, 1978
Board of Trustees
709910General (restricted)1980-1981
709910List1974-1975
CIMAM (International Committee of ICOM for Museums and Collections of Modern Art)
709910General1977-1978
709910Madrid1978
709910Oslo Trip1978
709910Collection Lists1970-1973
709660Collectors: Index Card Notes (restricted)undated
Correspondence
709910General (7 folders) (3 restricted)1969-1975, 1977, 1979, 1980
709910Artists1977-1980
709910Bulgarian Embassy1977-1978
709910Canada1980-1981
709910Czechoslovakia1977-1978
709910Greece1977
709910Holland1971-1976
709910Neagu, Paul1977
709910Paris Dealers (restricted)1972
709910Poland1977-1980
709910Pozanek, Vaclav (includes photographs)undated
Exhibitions
70991Master List1970
Schedules
709910Installation (3 folders)1976, 1978-1980
709910Run Dates1969-1970
709910Fact Finding Committee Reports (restricted)1980
709910Grant Proposals (restricted)1977-1979
International Council of Museums
709910General (2 folders)1976-1980
709910Subcommittee for Museums and Collections of Modern Art (2 folders)1978
709910International Visual Artists Exchange Programme: Brochuresundated
709910Memoranda (restricted)1972-1973
709910Museum Layout and Dimensionsundated
709910New York City Cultural Council: Visual Arts Committee1973-1974
709910Other Museum Exhibitions and Press Releases1970-1971
709910Policies and Procedures1970-1975, undated
709910Sample Loan Letters (restricted)1971-1975
709910Staff Manualundated, 1975
709910Trimester Reports (8 folders) (restricted)1973-1981
709910Viewing Program: Correspondence (2 folders)1969-1970
Series 2. Exhibitions and Objects, 1956-1981 (bulk 1971-1979), 5 cubic ft.
BoxFolderTitleDate
A. Exhibitions
709653Albers (Proposed)1970
Art of the Avant-Garde in Russia: Selections from the George Costakis Collection (#377)
709653Correspondence1968, 1978
709653Installation: Notescirca 1981
Research
709660Costakis Bibliography: Index Card Notesundated
709660Russian and Soviet Exhibitions and Perfomances: Index Card Notesundated
Fangor (#238)
709653General (2 folders)1971-1972
709653Catalogue: Essay: Notescirca 1970
709653Lender Correspondence (restricted)1970-1972
709653Ferdinand Hodler (#259)1972-1973
Frantisek Kupka, 1871-1957: A Retrospective (#289)1975
709653Acoustiguide Script1975
Catalogue
709653Correspondence (3 folders)1975
709653Drafts1975
709653Schedule1974
709653Zurich (restricted)1974
Correspondence
709653General (3 folders) (restricted)1975-1976
709653Messer, Thomas and Kupka, Eugenie and Mledek1961-1964
709653Spate, Virginia1975
709653Grant (restricted)1974
709653Installation: Photographs1975
709653Invoices (restricted)1974-1975
Loans (restricted)
709653General (5 folders)1973-1976
Lender
709653Correspondence (3 folders)1973, 1975-1977
709653Listundated
709653Receipts1975
709653Refusals1974-1976
Photographs
709653Generalundated
709653Kupka by Alexander Liberman1975
709653Kupka Exhibition at the Musée d'Art Moderne, Paris1958
709653Proposalundated
Research
709653General (7 folders)undated, 1956, 1958-1965, 1973-1975, 1976
709653"The Role of Franz Kupka in the Genesis of Orphism": Excerpt1971
709653Wall List1975
709653Futurism: A Modern Focus: The Lydia and Harry Lewis Winston Collection, Dr. and Mrs. Barnett Malbin (#271): Installationcirca 1973
Georgia O'Keefe (cancelled show)
709653Catalogue: Schedule1977
709653Correspondence1977
List of Works ( 2 folders)undated, 1977
Photography
709653Correspondence and Billing (restricted)1977
709653Requests: Private Collections1977
709653Researchcirca 1977
709653Worksheets: Works 1914-19771978
709653Italian Art (Proposed): Correspondence (restricted)1976-1978
Jean Dubuffet: A Retrospective (#265)
709664General (5 folders) (1 restricted)undated, 1972-1974
709664Acoutiguide Script1973
Correspondence
709664General (3 folders)1972-1974
709664Centre National d'Art Contemporain (restricted)1972-1974
709664Dubuffet, Jean1972-1973
709664Lappin, Brooke and Jean Dubuffet1973
709664Loreau, Max1972-1973
709664Coucou Bazar (2 folders) (1 restricted)1973
709664Installation1973
Loans (restricted)
709664General (2 folders)1972-1973
709664Forms (3 folders)1972-1973
Lender
709664Correspondence (7 folders)1972-1974
709664Listcirca 1973
709664Potential (2 folders)1972
709664Receipts1973
709664Refusals/Never Answered1972-1973
709664Photographcirca 1972
709664Press Clippings1973
Research
709664Generalundated
709664Bibliographycirca 1972
709664Slide List and Transparencies1973
709664Joan Miró: Magnetic Fields (#257): Correspondence1970-1972
709664Kirchner, Ludwig (Proposed)1977
709664Modigliani (#345-T)1979
New Images from Spain (#353)
709664Checklist1980
Correspondence
709664Alexanco, Jose1979
709664Cronica, Equipo1979
709664Miralda, Antoni1979
709664Mouliaa, Joaquin1979
709664Pedrosa, Armando1978-1979
709664Torres, Rosa1979
Photographs
709664Artistsundated
709664Installation (3 folders)undated
The Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA): The Sparkiling Metropolis (#334)
709664General (4 folders)1978-1979
709909Checklist
709909Correspondence: Koolhaas, Rem1978-1979
709909Guest Lists1978
709909Lender Correspondence (2 folders) (restricted)1978-1979
709909Reproductionsundated
709909Researchundated
709909Wall Text1978
709909Paul Klee at the Guggenehim (#310)1977
Piet Mondrian, 1872-1944: Centennial Exhibition (#244)
709909Generalundated, 1971
Catalogue
709909Generalundated
709909Color Plates1971
709909Correspondence1971
709909Essaysundated
709909Photograph Permissions1971
709909Requests1971-1972
Correspondence
709909General (3 folders) (1 restricted)1967-1973
709909Haags Gemeentemuseum1971-1972
709909Koleman, Pennyundated, 1971
709909Stedelijk Museum1971
709909Documentary Film1971-1972
Loans (restricted)
709909General (3 folders)1971-1972
709909Correspondence (9 folders)1971-1972, 1978
709909Lenders: Listundated
709909Receipts1971
709909Re-frame Requests1971
709909Refusals1971
709909Requests1971
709909Multiscreen Show1971
709909Researchundated, 1970-1971
709909Symposium (2 folders)1971, 1975
709909Traveling: Berner Kunstmuseum (2 folders) (restricted)1972
709909Wall List1971
709909The Planar Dimension: Europe, 1912-1932 (#340)
709909Catalogue
709909General (2 folders) (1 restricted)1978-1979
709909Photograph Reproduction Requests1977-1978, 1981
709901Checklist
709901Correspondence1977-1978
709901Grant (restricted)1979
709901Lenders and Photograph Creditsundated
Loans (restricted)
709901General (10 folders)1978-1979
709901Lender Correspondence1979
709901Potential Lenders1978
709901Receipts1979
Preliminary Master List
709901Artists1977
709901Objectscirca 1978
709901Press Clippings1979
709901Reproduction Permission1978-1979
Research
709901General1979
Artists
709660General: Index Card Notescirca 1977
709901Altman, Natan1977
709901Annenkov, Yurycirca 1977
709901Balla, Giacomocirca 1977
709901Baranoff-Rossine, Vladimircirca 1977
709901Baumeister, Willicirca 1977
709901Boccioni, Umbertocirca 1977
709901Buchheister, Carlcirca 1977
709901Buchholz, Erichcirca 1977
709901Chashnik, Il'yacirca 1977
709901Csaky, Josephcirca 1977
709901Depero, Fortunatocirca 1977
709901Domela, Cesar1978
709901Ermilov, Vasilij Dmitrovi?circa 1978
709901Gabo, Naum1978
709901Gonzalez, Juliocirca 1978
709901Gorin, Jean Albertcirca 1978
709901Gutfreund, Ottocirca 1978
709901Herbin, Augustecirca 1978
709901Kakabadze, Davidcirca 1978
709901Laurens, Henricirca 1978
709901Lipchitz, Jacquescirca 1978
709901Lissitzky, El1978
709901Magnelli, Albertocirca 1978
709901Miró, Joan1978
709901Moholy-Nagy, László1978
709901Meduniezkycirca 1978
709901Pannaggi, Ivocirca 1978
709901Peri, Laszlocirca 1978
709901Pevsner, Antoine1978
709901Peyrissac, Jeancirca 1978
709901Picasso, Pablo1977
709901Prinner, Antoncirca 1978
709901Rodchenko, Alexandercirca 1977
709901Schlemmer, Oskarcirca 1978
709901Schad, Christian1978
709901Schwitters, Kurtcirca 1978
709901Tutundjian, Leoncirca 1978
709901Vantongerloo, Georges1978-1979
709901Correspondence: Information Requests1977
709901Lists of Workscirca 1977
709901Movements
709901Constructivismcirca 1977
709901Futurismcirca 1978
709901Textcirca 1979
709901Wall List1979
709901Polish Art: Proposed Exhibition1969, 1975-1978
709901Selected Sculpture and Works on Paper (#220): Research (2 folders)1969
709901Selections from the Collection, 1900-1970 (#232)
709901Catalogue: Correspondence1970-1971
709901Research
709901Generalundated
709901Correspondence: Information Requests (3 folders)1969-1970
B. Permanent Collection
Acquisitions
709662General (6 folders) (2 restricted)1972-1980
709662Correspondence1972, 1978
709662Life Interest Gifts1979
709662Collection List1970-1973
709662Katherine Dreier Estate1960
Loans (Outgoing) (restricted)
709662Columbus Gallery of Fine Arts1968
709662Wake Forest1976
Proposals
709662Magritte, Rene1978-1979
709662Refusals (4 folders)1971-1975, 1977-1981
709662Unanswered1978-1980
709662Research and Blurbsundated, 1961
709662Sanders, Ludwig (restricted)1979
Series 3. Research Files, 1967-1980, .5 cubic ft.
BoxFolderTitleDate
709660American Sculptureundated
709662Abstract Expressionismcirca 1972
709662Art Nouveau1969
Artist
709662General (2 folders)undated
709662Albers, Josefundated, 1970
709662Arakawa, Shusakuundated, 1972
709662Bonnard, Pierreundated
709662Boethy, Etienneundated
709662Brancusi, Constantinundated
709662Braque, Georges1972-1973
709662Cage, Johnundated
709662Calcagno, Lawrenceundated
709660Cézanne, Paulundated
709660,
709662
Chagall, Marc (2 folders)undated, 1973-1974
709662Duchamp, Marcelundated, 1970-1971
709662Duchamp-Villon, Raymondundated
709660Giacometti, Albertoundated
709662Gontcharova, Nathalie and Mikhail Larinov1970
709662Gottlieb, Aldolphundated
709662Gris, Juan1969
709662Heizer, Michaelundated
709660Kirchner, Ernst Ludwigundated
709662Klee, Paul (2 folders)undated, 1967
709660Léger, Fernandundated
709662Louis, Morrisundated
709660Marc, Franzundated
709662Miró: Sculptureundated
709662Modigliani, Amedeoundated
709662Morris, Robertundated
709662Neagu, Paul1979
709660,
709662
Picasso, Pablo (2 folders)undated
709662Pereira, Irene Riceundated
709662Rousseau, Henriundated
709662Schiele, Egonundated
709662Seurat, Georges-Pierreundated
709662Smith, David1969
709662Villon, Jacques1970-1971
709662von Wiegand, Charmion1978-1980
709662Color Paintingundated
709662Constructivist Film Posters1980
709662Fabre Manuscriptundated
709662Italian Galleries1978
709662Targetsundated
Series 4. Personal, 1969-1975, .5 cubic ft.
BoxFolderTitleDate
709662Biographicalundated
709662Correspondence (3 folders)1970-1975
Editions Klincksieck
709662Corrected Galleysundated
709662Correspondence1970-1973
709662Cover1971
709662Noel, Georges (Husband): Correspondence and Resumeundated, 1970
Publications
709662Albers, Josef: Correspondence1972-1973
Miró, Joan
709662Carbon Copy1970
709662Correspondence: Artforum1970
709660Notesundated, 1972
709662Outline and Finished Chapters (2 folders)undated, 1969-1970
709660Researchundated
School of Visual Arts
709662Course1970-1971
Exhibition
709662Albers1970
709662Unidentified1972
709662Thesis: Reproduction Requests1972