De Kooning, Elaine Marie, b. 1918 d. 1989
PainterNew York, N.Y. (Show Bio)
Elaine de Kooning scrapbook, [ca.1960-1963.]
1 v. (0.3 linear ft.)
A scrapbook kept by Elaine de Kooning documenting her political activities protesting captial punishment, particularly her unsuccessful efforts in 1960 to save Caryl Chessman from death row. Included are a copy of Caryl Chessman's 16 p. letter to Governor Edmund G. Brown; clippings on Chessman concerning attempts to save him from execution, and coverage of national protests against capital punishment; protest letters drafted by de Kooning and others; copies of telegrams; Elaine de Koonings's notes and texts for speeches at political rallies and her correspondence with attorney Rosalie Asher (1960). Among the photographs of artists and members of the art community found are Alice Baber, Paul Jenkins, Larry Rivers, and Irving Sandler making protest placards.
Donated 2003 by Denise Lassaw, de Kooning's god-daughter. Lassaw's parents, Ibram and Ernestine Lassaw, were close friends of de Kooning.
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