Marcella Comès (Winslow) papers, 1915-1982

Collection Information

Size: 1.1 Linear feet; 2 Microfilm reels

Summary: The papers of Marcella Comès Winslow date from 1915 to 1982 and measure 1.1 linear feet. Found are scattered biographical materials and correspondence, photographs, printed material and subject files relating to Marcella Comès Wilson's affiliation with and interest in the Washington, D.C. arts scene. Also found is a guestbook used by Comès from childhood until the early 1980s containing signatures, inscriptions, and sketches from artists and writers with whom she was friends. A mixed-media scrapbook concerns Comès's portraits of literary figures, many of which were done under her role as official portrait painter of the United States Poet Laureate. A 16mm color amateur film features an unidentified exhibition featuring sculpture and painting.

Biographical/Historical Note

Marcella Comès Winslow (1905-2000) was a portrait painter and photographer in Washington, D.C.. Known professionally as Marcella Comès, she was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and studied at the Carnegie Mellon College of Fine Arts. She married William Randolph Winslow and moved to Washington, D.C.. Comès played an active part in the local D.C. art community as a member of the Women's Commission of the Corcoran Gallery of Art, president of the D.C. chapter of Artists Equity Association (1969-1971), and as the national vice-president of the AEA (1971-1973). Additionally, she was the official portrait painter of the United States Poet Laureate.

Provenance

Portions of the collection were loaned to the Archives of American Art for microfilming in 1982 by Marcella Comès Wilson and were returned after filming. Marcella Comès Wilson donated additional material in 1982.

Language Note

English .

Location of Originals

• The original guestbook and scrapbook were returned to Marcella Comès Wilson.

Digitization Note

This site provides access to the papers of Marcella Comès Winslow in the Archives of American Art that were digitized in 2025 from 2 reels of microfilm, and total 623 images.

Funding Note

The collection was processed, and a finding aid prepared by Jayna Josefson in 2025 with support from the Judith Godwin Arts Foundation. The digitization of this collection received Federal support from the Smithsonian Collections Information System (CIS) IRM Pool Fund.