Joseph Cornell Papers, 1804-1986 (bulk 1939-1972)

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The papers of Joseph Cornell were digitized in 2005 and 2009 by the Archives of American Art. The papers have been scanned in their entirety, and total 38,502 images.

The papers of Joseph Cornell (1903-1972) measure approximately 24.5 linear feet and date from 1804 to 1986 with the bulk of the material dating from 1939-1972. The collection documents the life, work, interests, and creative activities of the self-taught artist, who was best known for his shadow box constructions, assemblages, and collages. Papers include correspondence, diaries, source material, notes, writings, photographs, printed material, two- and three-dimensional ephemera, art works, and books, as well as a limited amount of legal and financial records, and some miscellaneous personal and family papers. The collection also includes the papers of his sister, Betty Cornell Benton, relating to the handling of Cornell's estate and the personal papers of his brother, Robert Cornell. Read more About this Collection.

Funding for the processing and digitization of this collection was provided by the Getty Foundation and the Terra Foundation for American Art.