William Anthony papers, 1956-2003

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A Finding Aid to the William Anthony Papers, 1956-2003, 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 William Graham Anthony was born on September 25, 1934 in Fort Monmouth, New Jersey. While majoring in history at Yale University, Anthony attended a few art courses, one of which was taught by Josef Albers. He also attended the Art Students' League in 1958 and 1961.

After graduating from Yale, he joined his family in California, where he attended the San Francisco Art Institute. In 1962, Anthony taught figure drawing at a commercial art school in San Francisco, where he developed a method of drawing that resulted in his book A New Approach to Figure Drawing. Two years later he moved to New York City.

From 1977 to 1978, Anthony made a series of drawings for magazine Andy Warhol's Interview, and published another book Bible Stories. In 1983, he married Norma Neuman, and continued to produce and exhibit his art work, including solo exhibitions in New York, California, and Europe. In 1988, the Jargon Society published an additional book, Bill Anthony's Greatest Hits. Anthony also teaches painting to senior citizens.

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Overview of the Collection

Scope and Contents

The papers of contemporary painter and author William Anthony measure 1.5 linear feet and date from 1956 to 2003. Found within the papers are scattered biographical materials; correspondence files; exhibition files; original art work; files of reproductions of his art work; a file for his book A New Approach to Figure Drawing; clippings; photographs; a recorded lecture and announcements of Anthony's slide talks. This material offers a comprehensive record of the works and exhibitions of this prolific painter.

Arrangement and Series Description

• Series 1: Biographical Material, 1976-2001 (Box 1; 2 folders; Reel 5875)
• Series 2: Correspondence Files, 1961-2001 (Box 1; 16 folders; Reel 5875)
• Series 3: Exhibition Files, 1961-2003 (Box 1, OV 3; 32 folders; Reel 5875)
• Series 4: Art work, 1961-2003 (Box 1, OV 3; 6 folders; Reel 5875)
• Series 5: Reproductions of Art Work Created in 1976-2003, undated (Box 1, 2; 25 folders; Reels 5875-5877)
• Series 6: File for Book, A New Approach to Figure Drawing, 1965 (Box 2; 2 folders; Reel 5877)
• Series 7: Clippings, 1956-2002, undated (Box 2; 2 folders; Reel 5877)
• Series 8: Photographs, 1965-2000, undated (Box 2; 3 folders; Reel 5877)
• Series 9: Recorded Lecture and Announcements of Slide Talks, 1985-1990, undated (Box 2; 1 folder; Reel 5877 and unfilmed)

Subjects and Names

Provenance

The William Anthony papers were donated by Anthony from 2001 to 2003. In 1976, he lent miscellaneous photocopied material for microfilming. The loaned materials do not duplicate the later gifts except for single letters from Jasper Johns (1972), William King, Claes Oldenburg, Theodoros Stamos, and a book endorsement comment signed by Larry Rivers. [Note: Reel 1094 is not described in this finding aid.

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 William Anthony 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 5875-5877. Earlier loaned material is also available on Reel 1094. The microfilm is available for interlibrary loan.

How to Cite this Collection

William Anthony papers, 1956-2003. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.

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Detailed Description and Container Inventory

Series 1: Biographical Material, 1976-2001 (Box 1; 2 folders; Reel 5875)

Biographical material consists primarily of biographical accounts that include listings of Anthony's exhibitions. The chronology provides more detailed information concerning events in Anthony's life.

Series 2: Correspondence Files, 1961-2001 (Box 1; 16 folders; Reel 5875)

Correspondence consists primarily of alphabetically-arranged folders of letters from colleagues who maintained a long-term contact with Anthony. Single letters from other colleagues have been placed in a separate alphabetical arrangement and filed in miscellaneous correspondence and includes letters from Jules Feiffer, William King, Alfred Leslie, Sol Lewitt, Claes Oldenburg, Harold Rosenberg, and Theodoros Stamos.

Series 3: Exhibition Files, 1961-2003 (Box 1, OV 3; 32 folders; Reel 5875)

Exhibition files primarily contain printed material concerning exhibitions of Anthony's work. Some files also contain letters, price lists, and photographs. The file for the Cokkie Snoei Gallery of Rotterdam contains an original drawing for the exhibition announcement. There is also a file for an exhibition of other artist's works owned and exhibited by Anthony.

Series 4: Art work, 1961-2003 (Box 1, OV 3; 6 folders; Reel 5875)

Artwork primarily consists of pencil drawings, but also includes 2 tempera sketches and a silkscreen line self-portrait.

Series 5: Reproductions of Art Work Created in 1976-2003, undated (Box 1, 2; 25 Folders; Reels 5875-5877)

Files of photocopies and photographs of Anthony's drawings and paintings created from 1976 to 2003 offer a comprehensive overview of his work.

Series 6: File for Book, A New Approach to Figure Drawing, 1965 (Box 2; 2 folders)

A file concerning Anthony's book, A New Approach to Figure Drawing, contains letters, printed material, and original art work. Also included is an endorsement comment signed by Larry Rivers.

Series 7: Clippings, 1956-2002, undated (Box 2; 2 folders)

Clippings consist of cartoons, articles about Anthony, and a copy of Public Illumination Magazine.

Series 8: Photographs, 1965-2000, undated (Box 2; 3 folders)

The majority of photographs are of Anthony and of his students and colleagues, including Dore Ashton. Four photographs are photocopies.

Series 9: Recorded Lecture and Announcements of Slide Talks, 1985-1990, undated (Box 2; 1 folder)

This file contains an undated 21-minute audio cassette of one of Anthony's slide talk lectures and announcements for other talks.