Galerie Chalette records, 1916-1999, bulk,1939-1994

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A Finding Aid to the Galerie Chalette Records, 1916-1999, bulk 1939-1994, in the Archives of American Art, by Sarah Haug

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Table of Contents:

• Historical Note
• Overview of the Collection
• How to Use the Collection
• Detailed Description and Container Inventory

Historical Information

Art dealers and collectors Madeleine Chalette (1915-1996) and Arthur Lejwa (1895-1972) opened the Galerie Chalette in New York on 45 West 57th Street in February, 1954. The gallery originally specialized in contemporary French graphics and later shifted its focus to contemporary twentieth century European and American art, particularly the work of Jean Arp. Over the years, Galerie Chalette relocated twice. In 1957, the gallery moved to 1100 Madison Avenue and then to 9 East 88th Street in 1964.

Madeleine Chalette was born in 1915 in Paris and grew up in Poland. In 1940, after Madeleine's efforts to secure the release of her father, Leon Chalette, from Sachsenhausen concentration camp near Berlin were successful, father and daughter traveled by boat to Shanghai. They stayed in Shanghai throughout World War II, arriving in the United States in 1946. Arthur Lejwa, a Polish-born biochemist, immigrated to the United States in 1939 and taught at Long Island University. In 1947, Madeleine and Arthur Lejwa were married in Cincinnati, Ohio where Arthur was the Director of the Robert Gould Institute for Nutritional Research.

The gallery was very active in the 1950s and 1960s, as evidenced by the numerous exhibitions. Many of the exhibitions in the 1950s were thematic. Exhibitions in the 1960s were mostly organized around the work of a particular artist, such as Wojciech Fangor and Leon Polk Smith. In 1972, the Metropolitan Museum of Art showcased Jean Arp's work from the Lejwa's collection and a few works lent by Arp's widow, Marguerite Arp. The exhibition was expanded and traveled as "Arp 1877-1966," first exhibited at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and then shown in seven museums in the United States and six in Australia.

In the early 1970s, the Lejwas began supporting institutions in Jerusalem, including donating a 17th century Polish menorah to The Israel Museum and five sculptures to be displayed in public spaces: "The Threshold of Jerusalem" by Jean Arp, "The Loop" by Robert Engman, George Rickey's "Two Lines Oblique," "The Skedion Ekton" by Stephanie Scuris, and "Four Cubes Cut in Identical Halves" by Max Bill.

Following Arthur's death on October 27, 1972, Madeleine continued as an independent dealer and consultant and renamed the business Chalette International. In the 1980s, Madeleine Lejwa continued her philanthropic endeavors in Jerusalem, donating to a scholarship fund for Arab students. She was also a strong supporter of New York University's archeological site Aphrodisias, in southwestern Turkey. In the 1970s and 1980s, Lejwa traveled widely including Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Italy, Turkey, Japan, and China. Madeleine passed away at age 81 on June 9, 1996.

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Overview of the Collection

Scope and Contents

The records of the New York Galerie Chalette measure 23.4 linear feet and date from 1916-1999, with the bulk of the material dating from 1939-1994. The collection documents this contemporary art gallery's operations from its founding in 1954 through Madeleine Lejwa's later years as an independent dealer. Included are correspondence, artists' files, financial and legal records, printed materials, clippings, exhibition catalogs, audio and video recordings, and motion picture film; about half of the collection consists of photographs. Arthur Lejwa's profession as a biochemist prior to becoming a gallery owner is also documented in this collection. The collection also contains personal records of the Lejwas, including correspondence, legal papers, photographs, photo albums, and printed material.

Among the artists represented in the artists' files are Jean Arp, Max Bill, Burgoyne Diller, Wojciech Fangor, Sue Fuller, Julio Gonzalez, Roberta Gonzalez, Lazlo Moholy-Nagy, William Reimann, George Rickey, Leon Polk Smith, Victor Varsarely, Max Weber, and various Dada artists. Many artists are represented in the large collection of photographs as is the Lejwa's personal collection. Included in the business records are invoices, receipts for works sold, yearly sales and purchase ledgers, checks for artwork purchases, and index card files recording sales. Legal records include files related to litigation, primarily Lebenstein v. Lejwa. The collection includes film reels and audio recordings of lectures, broadcasts, and exhibits from the 1960s-1990s. It also includes two film reels from a French television program about Jean Arp.

Among the personal records are biographical information, correspondence, legal records mostly related to the settlement of Arthur Lejwa's estate, a significant quantity of snapshots, negatives and slides, and newspaper clippings chronicling Arthur Lejwa's work as a biochemist and the Robert Gould Research Foundation. Arthur Lejwa's scientific career is also represented in biographical information, publications, research notebooks, and photographs. Much of the personal correspondence is from 1939-1951 and is written in Polish, Yiddish and German. The Lejwa's philanthropic donations, especially in Israel, are documented in correspondence, papers, and photographs. Many of the photographs and photo albums record Madeleine Lejwa's travels in the 1970s-1990s.

Arrangement and Series Description

The collection is arranged as 8 series. The series are generally arranged alphabetically by type of material or subject, and chronologically thereafter.

• Series 1: Correspondence, 1920-1995 (Boxes 1-2; 1.4 linear foot)
• Series 2: Artists' Files, 1916-1996 (Boxes 2-6, 25; 4.3 linear feet)
• Series 3: General Business Files, 1950-1994 (Boxes 6-8; 2.3 linear feet)
• Series 4: Printed Materials, 1931-1996 (Boxes 9-10, 25; 1.2 linear feet)
• Series 5: Photographs, circa 1920s-1994 (Boxes 10-16, 24-25; 7 linear feet)
• Series 6: Legal Records, 1938, 1959-1988 (Box 17; 0.8 linear feet)
• Series 7: Personal Papers of Arthur and Madeleine Chalette Lejwa, 1925-1999 (Boxes 17-21, 25; 3.7 linear feet)
• Series 8: Motion Picture Film, Audio, and Video Recordings, circa 1950s-1995 (Boxes 21-23, 26; 2.7 linear feet)

Subjects and Names

Provenance

The records were donated by Robert Warshaw, executor of the Madeleine Chalette Lejwa estate in two accessions in 1997 and 2005.

Separated and Related Materials

Papers related to Leon Chalette's imprisonment in Sachsenhausen concentration camp were transferred to the Leo Baeck Institute, New York, N.Y. in 2010.

Addition papers related to Leon Chalette and Madeleine Chalette are located at Leo Baeck Institute, New York, N.Y.

How the Collection was Processed

The bulk of the first accession was fully processed by Jordan Patty in 2005. In 2009, the remainder of the first accession and the second accession received a minimal level of processing, and the entire collection was arranged and described by Sarah Haug.

How to Use the Collection

Restrictions on Use

Use of original papers requires an appointment. Use of archival audiovisual recordings with no duplicate access copy requires advance notice.

Ownership & Literary Rights

The Galerie Chalette records are owned by the Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution. Literary rights as possessed by the donor have been dedicated to public use for research, study, and scholarship. The collection is subject to all copyright laws.

How to Cite this Collection

Galerie Chalette records, 1916-1996, bulk 1939-1994. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.

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Detailed Description and Container Inventory

Series 1: Correspondence, 1920-1995 (Boxes 1-2; 1.4 linear foot)

This series contains Galerie Chalette correspondence with artists, business contacts, customers, and friends. Some of the correspondence includes business records such as loan agreements, invoices, and exhibition arrangements. More correspondence may be found in Series 2: Artists' Files, Series 3: General Business Files, and Series 7: Personal Papers.

This series is arranged alphabetically by subject, then chronologically. General chronological correspondence is filed at the end of the series.

Series 2: Artists' Files, 1916-1996 (Boxes 2-6, 25; 4.3 linear feet)

This series contains files collected by Galerie Chalette primarily on artists the gallery represented. Files include correspondence and information about exhibitions and sales. Significant artist files include Jean Arp, Burgoyne Diller, Wojciech Fangor, Sue Fuller, and Leon Polk Smith. Artists' correspondence may also be found in Series 1: Correspondence and Series 7: Personal Papers. Financial records pertaining to artists may also be found in Series 3: General Business Files. Photographs of the artists and their artwork may also be found in Series 6: Photographs.

This series is arranged alphabetically by last name, then chronologically. Some larger artists' files are also arranged alphabetically by type of material.

Series 3: General Business Files, 1950-1994 (Boxes 6-8; 2.3 linear feet)

This series contains business files such as agreements about loans, consignments, sales and purchase ledgers, sale index card files, and shipping. Also included are receipts and invoices for works of art and Galerie Chalette publications. Additional business files may also be found in Series 1: Correspondence, Series 2: Artists' Files, and Series 7: Personal Papers.

This series is arranged alphabetically by type of material or last name, then chronologically.

Series 4: Printed Materials, 1931-1996 (Boxes 9-10, 25; 1.2 linear feet)

This series contains various printed material with information about exhibitions, artists, and lectures presented by Madeleine Lejwa. Printed material related to gallery records may also be found in Series 2: Artists' Files.

The folders are organized alphabetically by type of material, then chronologically.

Series 5: Photographs, circa 1920s-1994 (Boxes 10-16, 24-25; 7 linear feet)

This series contains photographs, slides, negatives, transparencies, and photo albums of artwork, the Lejwa's personal art collection, family photographs, and travel snapshots. Photographs may also be found in Series 2: Artists' Files.

The series is arranged as 2 subseries:

• Subseries 5.1: Art Photographs, circa 1920s-1990s
• Subseries 5.2: Lejwa Personal Photographs, circa 1920s-1994

5.1: Art Photographs, circa 1920s-1990s

The photographs, transparencies, and slides in this subseries generally consist of professional artwork images, although there are some that include images of artists such as Barbara Hepworth and Jerzy Tchorzewski, and exhibit openings such as Jean Arp and Jan Lebenstein. Also included are 61 black and white prints of Dada artists, taken from 1911-1957, and include artists such as Jean Arp, Hugo Ball, Max Ernst, Emmy Hennings, Kurt Schwitters, and Tristan Tzara. Photographs of the Lejwa's personal collection include professional images as well as personal snapshots. This subseries is arranged alphabetically by last name; photographs of the Lejwa's personal collection, slides and transparencies are filed at the end of this subseries.

5.2: Lejwa Personal Photographs, circa 1920s-1994

This subseries contains snapshots, negatives, and slides of artwork, family, friends, and Madeleine Lejwa's travels in the 1980s and 1990s. Eight photo albums include six albums of photos from Madeleine Lejwa's travels in the late 1970s-early 1990s, one album of photos of china and silverware, and an album of photos of the townhouse at 9 East 88th Street. This subseries is arranged alphabetically by subject, then by last name or subject. Photographs and negatives are filed together; however, slides and photo albums are separated and located at the end of the subseries. This subseries is from the 2005 collection addition and is minimally processed.

Series 6: Legal Records, 1938, 1959-1988 (Box 17; 0.8 linear feet)

This series contains records pertaining to litigation against Galerie Chalette. The Lebenstein v. Lejwa (31325.002) folder titles were taken from the original folders; the numerical notation refers to the law firm's client number. Personal legal records can be found in Series 7: Personal Papers.

This series is arranged alphabetically by case name and then type of material.

Series 7: Personal Papers of Arthur and Madeleine Chalette Lejwa, 1925-1999 (Boxes 17-21, 25; 3.7 linear feet)

This series includes biographical information, personal correspondence, business and legal records, and printed materials. This series is created from the 2005 collection addition and is minimally processed.

The series is arranged as 5 subseries:

• Subseries 7.1: Biographical Files, 1925-1996
• Subseries 7.2: Personal Correspondence, 1939-1996
• Subseries 7.3: Business Records, 1968-1995
• Subseries 7.4: Legal Records, 1940-1996
• Subseries 7.5: Printed Materials, 1929-1999

7.1: Biographical Files, 1925-1996

This subseries includes personal documents, such as immigration documents, passports, and the Lejwa's marriage license. It is arranged alphabetically by last name, then type of material.

7.2: Personal Correspondence, 1939-1996

The bulk of the personal correspondence is to Arthur Lejwa and is either from friends and colleagues, or related to Lejwa's work as a biochemist in the 1940s. A significant amount of Arthur Lejwa's correspondence is in Polish, Yiddish, and German. There is also correspondence regarding donations to institutions in Israel. More personal correspondence may also be found in Series 1: Correspondence and Subseries 7.3: Business Records. This subseries is arranged alphabetically by correspondent or type of material.

7.3: Business Records, 1968-1995

This subseries contains records of the Lejwa's personal donations and purchases. Additional business records may be found in Series 3: General Business Files. It is arranged alphabetically by subject.

7.4: Legal Records, 1940-1996

The bulk of the legal records in this subseries are related to settling Arthur Lejwa's estate after his death in 1972 and Madeleine Lejwa's will. Additional legal records may be found in Series 6: Legal Records. This subseries is arranged alphabetically by type of material, then chronologically.

7.5: Printed Materials, 1929-1999

This subseries contains newspaper clippings, publications, reports, notebooks and writings. Much of the material is related to Arthur Lejwa's professional career prior to and at the Robert Gould Research Foundation. It includes copies of Arthur Lejwa's publications and his scientific notebooks. This series also contains materials related to institutions in which the Lejwa's donated. Many of the newspaper clippings are very brittle and in Hebrew. This subseries is arranged alphabetically by type of material.

Series 8: Motion Picture Film, Audio, and Video Recordings, circa 1950s-1995 (Boxes 21-23, 26; 2.7 linear feet)

This series contains 58 film reels, 7 video recordings, and 61 audio recordings of broadcasts, lectures, interviews, exhibitions and personal travels. The bulk of this series is from the 2005 collection addition and is minimally processed.

The series is arranged as 2 subseries:

• Subseries 8.1: Audio Recordings, 1964-1994
• Subseries 8.2: Film and Video Recordings, circa 1950s-1995

8.1: Audio Recordings, 1964-1994

This subseries contains 61 sound recordings, including 12 sound tape reels (1/4"), 42 sound cassettes, 4 microcassettes, and 3 1/4" minifon sound cassettes. Recordings are of broadcasts, lectures, interviews, and readings related to artists, exhibits, and Madeleine Lejwa's travels. The folder titles are based on the labeling of the recorded media. There are no transcripts of the audio recordings. This subseries is arranged alphabetically by subject or last name. The cassette tapes are filed together in the box container.

8.2: Film and Video Recordings, circa 1950s-1995

This subseries contains 54 film reels (Super 8 mm), 4 film reels (16 mm), and 7 videocassettes (VHS). Recordings are related to artists, exhibits, and installations, as well as Madeleine Lejwa's personal interests. The subseries also includes a French film made for television, "Jean Arp or the Enigmatic Swimmer," circa 1966, as well as the printed synopsis and translation of the film. The folder titles are based on the labeling of the recorded media. Other than the previously described Arp film, there are no transcripts of the film recordings. The folders are arranged alphabetically by subject or last name. Film reels are Super 8 mm unless otherwise indicated.