Ludwig Sander papers, 1910-1975

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A Finding Aid to the Ludwig Sander Papers, 1910-1975, in the Archives of American Art, by Jean Fitzgerald

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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

American painter Ludwig Sander was born on July 18, 1906 in Staten Island, New York. After independent studies with Boardman Robinson and Alexander Archipenko, he attended the Art Students' League from 1928 to 1930. From 1931 to 1932, Sander studied art in Paris and with Hans Hofmann in Munich. While in Europe, he befriended many other artists including Balcomb Greene, Reuben Nakian, and Vaclav Vytlacil.

After Army service from 1942 to 1945, Sander returned to school, earning a B.A. in Art History from New York University in 1952. He taught at various schools including the Art Students' League, the School of Visual Art, and the University of Pennsylvania. He was also a charter member of The Club, a postwar group of New York artists famous for its polemic discussions.

From 1959, Sander regularly exhibited his art work and had solo exhibitions at prominent galleries including the Leo Castelli Gallery, Kootz Gallery, and the Knoedler Gallery. His work is in the permanent collections of the Art Institute of Chicago, the Guggenheim Museum, and the Whitney Museum of American Art.

Ludwig Sander died July 3, 1975 in New York City.

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Overview of the Collection

Scope and Contents

The papers of American New York School painter Ludwig Sander measure 2.8 linear feet and date from 1910 to 1975. Found within the collection are biographical materials primarily consisting of army records; correspondence with family and colleagues discussing exhibitions and other art-related activities; diaries containing brief annotations of daily activities; personal business records including studio leases, teaching contracts, and miscellaneous receipts; notes and writings including address books and art history typescripts; art work consisting primarily of sketchbooks and illustrations for magazines; photographs of Sander, his colleagues, his travels, and exhibition openings; and miscellaneous printed material. The collection Sander's career and interactions with some of the most important artists of 20th century modern art.

Chronological correspondence primarily consists of letters from Sanders to his mother during his army service, and letters from his colleagues discussing exhibitions and other art-related activities. Correspondents include Clement Greenberg, Philip Guston, Yvonne Hagen, Gottfried Honegger, Sam Kootz, and Vaclav Vytlacil. There are single letters from Georgi Daskaloff, Philip Johnson, Richard Neutra, George Plimpton, and Maximilian Schell, and an invitation to a croquet party from Willem and Elaine De Kooning, Sander, Nancy Ward, and Franz Kline.

Arrangement and Series Description

• Series 1: Biographical Material, 1927-1969 (Box 1, 4; 9 folders)
• Series 2: Correspondence, 1931-1975 (Box 1; 28 folders)
• Series 3: Diaries, 1931-1973 (Box 1; 11 folders)
• Series 4: Personal Business Records, 1953-1974, undated (Box 2; 4 folders)
• Series 5: Notes and Writings, 1951-1960, undated (Box 2; 8 folders)
• Series 6: Art Work, circa 1930s-1970s (Box 2, 4; 18 folders)
• Series 7: Photographs, 1910-1973, undated (Box 2, 4; 34 folders)
• Series 8: Printed Material, 1926-1975, undated (Box 2-5; 30 folders)

Subjects and Names

Provenance

The Ludwig Sander papers were donated by the artist's widow, Kate Sander, in 1975. Ludwig Sander loaned printed material for microfilming in 1970, and it is available on Reel 32.

How the Collection was Processed

The collection was processed by Jean Fitzgerald in April 2004.

How to Use the Collection

Restrictions on Use

The collection is open for research. Patrons must use microfilm copy.

Ownership & Literary Rights

The Ludwig Sander 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.

Available Formats

The collection is available on microfilm reels 5900-5902. Earlier loaned material was microfilmed on Reel 32. The microfilm is available for interlibrary loan.

How to Cite this Collection

Ludwig Sander papers, 1910-1975. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.

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Detailed Description and Container Inventory

Series 1: Biographical Material, 1927-1969 (Box 1, 4; 9 folders)

Biographical material primarily consists of army records documenting Sander's service during World War II. School records reflect his studies in Europe and at New York University, and include a student identity card signed by Hans Hofmann. Also included are curriculum vitae and passports.

Series 2: Correspondence, 1931-1975 (Box 1; 28 folders)

Chronological correspondence primarily consists of letters from Sanders to his mother during his army service, and letters from his colleagues discussing exhibitions and other art-related activities. Correspondents include Clement Greenberg, Philip Guston, Yvonne Hagen, Gottfried Honegger, Sam Kootz, and Vaclav Vytlacil. There are single letters from Georgi Daskaloff, Philip Johnson, Richard Neutra, George Plimpton, and Maximilian Schell, and an invitation to a croquet party from Willem and Elaine De Kooning, Sander, Nancy Ward, and Franz Kline.

Series 3: Diaries, 1931-1973 (Box 1; 11 folders)

Eighteen diaries contain very brief annotations describing daily activities. There are two diaries each for years 1961, 1962, and 1964. Four of the diaries also contain listings of addresses.

Series 4: Personal Business Records, 1953-1974, undated (Box 2; 4 folders)

Personal Business Records consist of leases for lofts in New York and contracts for teaching and for recorded interviews. There are also miscellaneous receipts, primarily for art supplies and travel expenses.

Series 5: Notes and Writings, 1951-1960, undated (Box 2; 8 folders)

Notes consist of address books and lists. Writings include typescripts about Vermeer and an artist's statement by Sander and typescripts about Sander by others.

Series 6: Art Work, circa 1930s-1970s (Box 2, 4; 18 folders)

Art work consists primarily of sketchbooks, at least two of which are from his European travels. The majority of the illustrations were made for Encore magazine.

Series 7: Photographs, 1910-1973, undated (Box 2, 4; 34 folders)

Photographs of Sander include one with his mother and several with his Army company. Photographs of exhibition openings include James Brooks, Clement Greenberg, Conrad Marca-Relli, Esteban Vicente, and Hugo Weber. Photographs of Sander with colleagues include Leo Castelli, Elaine De Kooning, Willem De Kooning, and Harold Rosenberg. This subseries sometimes includes related photographs of their surroundings from the same roll of film. There are also miscellaneous travel photographs.

Series 8: Printed Material, 1926-1975, undated (Box 2-5; 30 folders)