Lowell Nesbitt papers, 1903-1993, bulk 1950-1993

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A Finding Aid to the Lowell Nesbitt Papers, circa 1903-1993 (bulk 1950-1993), in the Archives of American Art, by Stephanie Ashley

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Table of Contents:

• Biographical Information
• Overview of the Collection
• How to Use the Collection
• Detailed Description and Container Inventory

Biographical Information

Painter, photographer, and sculptor Lowell Nesbitt worked primarily in New York City.

Lowell Nesbitt was born in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1933. In college he studied stained glass and printmaking, graduating from the Tyler School of Art at Temple University in Philadelphia in 1955 and attending the Royal College of Art in London from 1955 to 1956.

After serving for several years in the United States Army in the mid 1950s, Nesbitt received his first exhibition at the Baltimore Museum of Art in 1958. By 1963 he had moved to New York City and by the 1970s had emerged as one of the most well known artists in the United States. Nesbitt was frequently grouped with the photo realists and was best known for more than four hundred works he created with the flower as his central theme. In addition to flowers, Nesbitt's subjects included studio interiors, dogs, fruits and vegetables, bridges and buildings in New York, and male nudes. He began experimenting with printmaking in the 1960s and produced more than a hundred original prints in the course of his lifetime, primarily in the medium of dry point engraving. In 1963 he began a series of x-ray inspired paintings and was credited with being the first artist to produce a body of work of this kind. During the same period he began a long-standing relationship with the Howard Wise Gallery in New York, a space known for it's devotion to art and new technology.

In 1969 and 1970 the National Aeronautics and Space Administration named Nesbitt the official artist of the Apollo 9 and Apollo 13 missions. In 1980 the United States Postal Service released a series of four postage stamps based on his floral paintings.

Following a major one-man show at the Corcoran Gallery in Washington, DC in 1964, Nesbitt's work was exhibitied widely in Europe and the United States. In New York City he was represented by the Stable Gallery, the Robert Stefanotti Gallery and the Andrew Crispo Gallery. In the late 1960s and early 1970s Nesbitt taught at Towson State and Morgan State Colleges in Maryland, and the School of Visual Arts in New York.

Nesbitt was active in the National Multiple Sclerosis Society from the early 1980s until his death, serving as co-chairman on the Society's annual juried Project Rembrandt exhibition for artists with multiple sclerosis. He was also actively involved in fundraising for artists with HIV/AIDS.

Nesbitt's work is represented in many major museum collections including the Art Institute of Chicago, Baltimore Museum of Art, Bibliotheque Nationale (Paris), Corcoran Gallery, Detroit Institute of Art, Hirshhorn Museum, Museum of Modern Art, and the National Gallery.

Lowell Nesbitt died in 1993 at the age of 59.

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Overview of the Collection

Scope and Contents

The papers of painter, photographer and sculptor Lowell Nesbitt measure 48.3 linear feet and date from circa 1903-1993 (bulk 1950-1993). The collection documents Nesbitt's career through biographical material, correspondence, subject files, business and financial records, source material, artwork, printed matter, photographs and audiovisual records and scrapbooks.

Biographical Material includes documentation of Nesbitt's education and other personal documents. Plans and designs for Nesbitt's properties on West Twelfth Street, New York City and Kent, New York are arranged in the series for architectural records for homes and studios

Correspondence and Subject Files are voluminous and record Nesbitt's interaction with individuals, businesses and organizations and includes personal and family correspondence in addition to correspondence relating to galleries, exhibitions, commissions he undertook and committees on which he served.

Artwork by Nesbitt includes a small collection of collages, drawings, paintings, prints and sketchbooks. Source material comprises approximately 11 linear feet of material, primarily newspaper and magazine clippings and photographs, relating to a large variety of subjects that inspired Nesbitt, such as flowers, fruits and vegetables, dogs and other animals and the studios of other artists including Robert Indiana, Jasper Johns and Andy Warhol.

Photographs are of Nesbitt, his friends, family, colleagues and his pets, as well as subjects of interest to him in his work. Also of note are twenty-seven folders of photographs taken by photographer Jack Mitchell of Nesbitt and others.

Printed Material contains publicity material and documents exhibitions of Nesbitt's work. Additional photographs and printed material are found in the Scrapbooks.

Arrangement and Series Description

The collection is arranged as 11 series:

• Series 1: Biographical Material, 1932-1988 (Boxes 1, 40, OV 58; 1.0 linear ft.)
• Series 2: Architectural Records for Homes and Studios, 1977-1992 (Boxes 1-2, 40; 1.0 linear ft.)
• Series 3: Notes and Writings, 1981-1990 (Boxes 2-3; 1.0 linear ft.)
• Series 4: Calendars and Addressess, 1973-1993 (Boxes 3-5; 1.25 linear ft.)
• Series 5: Correspondence and Subject Files, 1940-circa 1990s (Boxes 5-12, 40, OV 51; 8.0 linear feet)
• Series 6: Business and Financial Records, circa 1910-1993 (Boxes 12-14; 2.0 linear ft.)
• Series 7: Artwork, circa 1948-1989 (Boxes 15-16, 41-42, OVs 52, 55; 2.0 linear ft.)
• Series 8: Source Material, 1965-circa 1990s (Boxes 16-26, 43-45, OV 53; 12.0 linear ft.)
• Series 9: Photographs and Audiovisual Records, 1965-circa 1990s (Boxes 16-26, 43-45, OV 53; 12.0 linear ft.)
• Series 10: Printed Material, circa 1960s-circa 1990s (Boxes 37-39, 45, OVs 48-50, 54, 56, 60; 3.05 linear feet
• Series 11: Scrapbooks, 1964-1992 (BVs 61-88; 5.0 linear feet)

Subjects and Names

Provenance

A portion of the papers were donated by Lowell Nesbitt in 1984 and the bulk of the papers were a bequest from Nesbitt's estate in 1994.

How the Collection was Processed

The collection was processed to a preliminary level by Ambika Sankaran in 2006. The finding aid was completed by Stephanie Ashley in 2007.

How to Use the Collection

Restrictions on Use

Use of original papers requires an appointment.

Ownership & Literary Rights

The Lowell Nesbitt papers 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

Lowell Nesbitt papers, circa 1903-1993 (bulk 1950-1993). Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.

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Detailed Description and Container Inventory

Series 1: Biographical Material, 1932-1988 (Boxes 1, 40, OV 58; 1.0 linear ft.)

This series contains general biographical material on Nesbitt and his family, including records relating to the estates of Nesbitt's parents, Frank and Mildred C. Nesbitt, and Lowell Nesbitt's will. Also found here are records documenting Nesbitt's education, awards that he received, and miscellaneous memorabilia. Temple University records include a yearbook, a photo of Nesbitt, Nesbitt's report card, a certificate of honor, a commencement program, and Nesbitt's Bachelor of Arts and Stained Glass Design certification. The series also includes photographs of a painting and sculpture Nesbitt submitted for his admission to London's Royal College of Art.

Folders are arranged alphabetically by folder title with the exception of records relating to education and awards, which are arranged in rough chronological order.

Series 2: Architectural Records for Homes and Studios, 1977-1992 (Boxes 1-2, 40; 1.0 linear ft.)

This series contains records relating to Nesbitt's homes on West Twelfth Street, New York, New York, and Kent, New York, including documentation of property sales, architectural plans by Preston Phillips, drawings, appraisal photographs and alphabetically arranged correspondence.

Series 3: Notes and Writings, 1981-1990 (Boxes 2-3; 1.0 linear ft.)

This series contains one folder of writings by Nesbitt in addition to notes on his studios and notebooks and notepads which typically contain "to do" lists, drafts of letters, contact information, and miscellaneous notes. There is also a notebook containing sketches and notes on house planning, and a folder of notes for Pierre Gagne. Studio notebooks contain instructions for Nesbitt's studio assistant, Tim Hoffman.

Series 4: Calendars and Addresses, 1973-1993 (Boxes 3-5; 1.25 linear ft.)

This series contains Nesbitt's notated calendars, such as monthly and yearly planners and "daily reminder" calendars, in addition to address books, telephone numbers and business cards.

Series 5: Correspondence and Subject Files, 1940-circa 1990s (Boxes 5-12, 40, OV 51; 8.0 linear feet)

The series is arranged into 6 subseries:

• 5.1: Correspondence, 1940-circa 1990s
• 5.2: Galleries, 1973-1992
• 5.3: Exhibitions, 1981-1992
• 5.4: Commissions, 1977-1993
• 5.5: Committees, 1980-1992
• 5.6: Legal, 1978-1991

5.1: Correspondence, 1940-circa 1990s

5.1.1: Correspondence: Alphabetical, 1940-1992

This subseries contains correspondence with individuals, businesses, organizations and museums arranged alphabetically by folder title. Researchers should also consult 5.1.2: Correspondence: Chronological, for additional correspondence of this type.

5.1.2: Correspondence: Chronological, 1965-1990

This subseries contains corrrespondence with individuals, businesses, organizations and museums arranged in rough chronological order. Researchers should also consult 5.1.1: Correspondence: Alphabetical, for additional correspondence of this type.

5.2: Galleries, 1973-1992

This subseries documents Nesbitt's relationships with a large number of galleries including some that represented him, such as Andrew Crispo Gallery, DiLaurenti Gallery and Fay Gold Gallery, and others throughout the United States and in Germany, who exhibited his work.

5.3: Exhibitions, 1981-1992

This subseries documents a variety of exhibitions in which Nesbitt took part or which he curated such as the 1990 Humanist Icon exhibition at Bayly Art Museum in Charlottesville, Virginia that traveled to the New York Academy of Art and the Edwin A. Ulrich Museum of Art at Wichita State University, Wichita, Kansas.

5.4: Commissions, 1977-1993

This subseries documents commissions Nesbitt undertook from a variety of individuals and organizations, including stamps for the United States Postal Service and the World Wildlife Fund.

5.5: Committees, 1980-1992

This subseries documents Nesbitt's work for several committees and fundraising events including the "Night of 100 Trees" to benefit artists with AIDS, and Project Rembrandt, the annual juried exhibition of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society for which Nesbitt was co-chairman. "Night of 100 Trees" material includes donation records and an invitation to the event designed by Nesbitt.

5.6: Legal/Subject Files, 1978-1991

This subseries contains legal records including correspondence between Nesbitt and his lawyers.

Series 6: Business and Financial Records, circa 1910-1993 (Box 12-14; 2.0 linear feet)

This series documents business transactions involving Nesbitt's artwork and includes insurance, banking, shipping, payroll and tax records. It contains lists of his artwork available for sale with prices and other details concerning sales and consignments. There is a folder titled "Teaching List" that includes details of Nesbitt's lecture carousel and price lists. Also found here are records documenting Nesbitt's real estate purchases and records on donations he made to various charitable organizations.

Series 7: Artwork, circa 1948-1989 (Boxes 15-16, 41-42, OVs 52, 55; 2.0 linear ft.)

This series is arranged as 2 subseries:

• 7.1: Artwork by Nesbitt, circa 1948-1980s
• 7.2: Artwork by Others, 1980-1989

7.1: Artwork by Nesbitt, 1948-circa 1980s

This subseries contains a range of artwork by Nesbitt including collages incorporating leaves, flowers and found objects; drawings with subjects such as dancers, statues and flowers; paintings in gouache; prints including a copper plate; and sketchbooks including sketches of Nesbitt's travels to Egypt, Italy and elsewhere.

7.2: Artwork by Others, 1980-1989

Series 8: Source Material, 1965-circa 1990s (Boxes 16-26, 43-45, OV 53; 12.0 linear ft.)

This series contains source material used by Nesbitt and documents his method of gathering photographs and magazine clippings and arranging them as collages on cardboard prior to painting. Groupings of source material reflect the range of Nesbitt's subject matter and include nudes, fruits and vegetables, flowers, landscapes, bridges, buildings and ruins, space, windows, easels, dogs and other animals and shoes. There is also a group of photographs of studios of artists including those of Alex Katz, Jasper Johns, Robert Indiana, Claes Oldenburg, and Andy Warhol.

Series 9: Photographs and Audiovisual Records, circa 1903-circa 1990s (Boxes 16-26, 43-45, OV 53; 12.0 linear ft.)

This series is arranged into 5 subseries:

• 9.1: Photographs of Artwork, 1960-circa 1980s
• 9.2: Personal Photographs, circa 1960s-circa 1990s
• 9.3: Audiovisual Material, circa 1970s-circa 1980s
• 9.4: Photograph Albums, circa 1903-1990s
• 9.5: Slides, circa 1960s-circa 1980s

9.1: Photographs of Artwork, 1960-circa 1980s

This subseries contains photographs of a wide range of Nesbitt's artwork. Photographs of his "autobiographical series" include subjects such as bottles, clothes, dogs, easels, hats, shoes, studios, and bridges. Photographs of flower paintings include paintings of irises, orchids, roses, tulips and violets, and photographs of his "Electric Series" include subjects such as daffodils, dahlias, lilies, poppies, roses and tulips.

For additional photographs of artwork by Nesbitt see 9.4: Photograph Albums.

9.2: Personal Photographs, circa 1960s-circa 1990s

This subseries includes photographs of Nesbitt, his family, friends, colleagues and dogs. There are also photographs of male nudes and of Nesbitt with his artwork or posing with some of his subjects, in addition to photographs of Nesbitt in his studio.

Also found here are photographs of Nesbitt and others, including Louise Nevelson, Gloria Steinem and Alfred Hitchcock, taken by photographer Jack Mitchell. A personal friend of Nesbitt, Mitchell had a solo exhibition titled Artist Lowell Nesbitt at the Butler Institute of American Art in 1982, and took many press photographs of Nesbitt. There are also several additional photographs taken by others including one by Robert Indiana, and seven folders of photographs of artwork by others.

9.3.: Audiovisual Material, circa 1970s-circa 1980s

This subseries contains audiocassettes, videocassettes and films relating to Nesbitt and other artists including Keith Haring. It includes the film "The Ruins," shot in Nesbitt's studio and a film of Nesbitt painting a book mobile with "electric flowers" for the Miami-Dade Public Library.

9.4: Photograph Albums, circa 1903-1990s

Albums contain both personal photographs and photographs of artwork.

9.5: Slides, circa 1960s-circa 1980s

Material found here is a combination of slides of artwork and personal slides in addition to slides of nudes by Jack Mitchell. Slides contain images of paintings, sculpture, Nesbitt's "autobiographical" and "retrospective" series, landscapes, and stills of the Humanist Icon and Secret Garden exhibitions. Many of the slides found here were used by Nesbitt for lectures that were originally stored in slide carousels. Also found here are images stored on several slide viewers.

Series 10: Printed Material, circa 1960s-circa 1990s (Boxes 37-39, 45, OVs 48-50, 54, 56, 60; 3.05 linear feet)

This series includes exhibition announcements and catalogs, clippings concerning exhibitions of Nesbitt's work and articles about his home, as well as posters relating to commissions Nesbitt undertook, gallery openings, and fundraisers in which he was involved.

Series 11: Scrapbooks, 1964-1992 (BV's 61-88; 5.0 linear feet)

The scrapbooks in this series contain invitations, photographs, newspaper clippings and other printed material related to exhibitions, photographs of artwork, Nesbitt's studio, events and parties he attended and hosted, and exhibition openings.