Florence Weinstein papers, 1929-1983

Weinstein, Florence, b. 1895 d. 1989
Painter, Ceramicist
New York, N.Y.

Collection size: 0.4 linear ft. (partially microfilmed on 1 reel)

Collection Summary: Letters (1931-1983), writings, art works, printed material (1929-1976), and photographs (1952-1969) document the work of painters and ceramists Florence and Sylvie Weinstein.

Twelve letters from William Littlefield and 3 from others discuss Weinstein's work and exhibitions (1952-1976). An 11-page autobiographical account also includes information about Weinstein's parents, Gregory and Eugenie Lasser Weinstein, and her sisters, Eleonore Lochspeiser and Sylvie L. Weinstein. Art works consist of a watercolor sketch by Sylvie Weinstein of a regional French costume and a greeting card decorated with a painting by Littlefield. Printed material includes 19 exhibition announcements and catalogs (1955-1976), 3 press releases (1959-1969), and 10 clippings (1955-1969) concerning Florence Weinstein's work. Photographs show Weinstein (1952), her Woodstock home (1953-1969), and her works.

Unfilmed: Letters (1944-1983) written to Florence Weinstein concerning her work and activities include 4 letters from Paul-Emile Borduas, one from Andree Golbin, 6 from Robert Motherwell, and a Christmas card (1931) decorated with a print by Sylvie Weinstein. A one-page essay, "A Helpful Thrill", was written by Weinstein's father, Gregory Weinstein, in 1952. Two photographs show works by Florence Weinstein. Printed material consists of 4 clippings (1929-1941) about Florence, Gregory, and Sylvie Weinstein; and exhibition announcements and catalogs for Florence Weinstein (1956-1971) and Sylvie Weinstein (1935-1941).

Biographical/Historical Note: Painter and ceramist; New York, N.Y. Weinstein was educated at Adelphi College, the Sorbonne in Paris, and Middlebury College and taught French until 1951. During that time she spent summers in art colonies such as Rockport and Provincetown, befriending many artists. Her youngest sister, Sylvie, a ceramist, died in 1945, leaving Weinstein with the desire to become an artist herself. Beginning with a free class with Barnett Newman, she continued her studies with Willem DeKooning and Josef Albers, and in 1948 at the "Subjects of the Artist" school with Robert Motherwell, Mark Rothko, and others. After resigning her teaching position in 1951, she began exhibiting her paintings and, later, her ceramics.

Donated 1977 and 1983 by Florence Weinstein.

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