ISABEL BISHOP (1902-1988) found inspiration and an endless source of subject matter in everyday urban life. Her papers include eight spiral-bound sketchbooks small enough to be held in the hand. In this sketchbook Bishop's employs a variety of expressive lines -- from spontaneous scribbles to deliberate hatching -- to seize the human spirit.
Isabel Bishop Sketchbook, 1957, 3 3/4: x 5 1/2 in. Figure Study, "Remsen," ink on paper. Isabel Bishop Papers, Archives of American Art.
Description of Isabel Bishop's Papers |
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| CREATOR: | Bishop, Isabel, 1902- |
| TITLE: | Isabel Bishop papers, 1930-1985. |
| PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: | 2.7 linear ft. (microfilmed on 7 reels) reels D283, D359, NY59/4-5, 2, 64, 100 and 4983 |
| BIO/HISTORICAL NOTE: | Painter, New York; N.Y. Died 1988. |
| SUMMARY: | Letters, writings, sketches and sketchbooks, photographs, business records, and printed materials relating to Bishop's career as a painter and her involvement in various artists groups. |
| REELS NY59-4-5: | A sketch of Bishop by Aaron Bohrod; photos of Bishop, her husband, her paintings; notes for lectures; notes and sketches for post office mural, New Lexington, Ohio, 1937; catalogs, clippings, press releases, letters received, 1943-1958, from Mahonri Young, Edward Laning, John Taylor Arms, Glenway Westcott; a few drafts of letters sent; a file on Reginald Marsh and Warren Chappell; sketches for the painting "Subway Scene"; and a file on jury work. |
| REEL D283: | 3 letters from Philip Evergood, 1964-1965. |
| REEL D359: | 34 letters from John Canaday, Marianne Moore, Lewis Mumford, Abraham Rattner, Stuyvesant Van Veen, and others, 1952-1966. |
| REEL 2: | 8 spiral notepads containing sketches and doodles. |
| REEL 64 | 49 photographs of paintings by Bishop, annotated with owner information. |
| REEL 100: | 53 letters, 1950-1971, from Gladys Brooks, Warren Chappell, Edwin Dickinson, Jo Hopper, Edward Laning, Jack Levine and others. |
| REEL 4983 | (2.3 ft.): Letters, 1939-1983, from Peggy Bacon, John Canaday, Merce Cunningham, Sidney Delevante, Philip Evergood, James Kearns, R.B. Kitaj, Leon Kroll, Edward Laning, Clare Leighton, August Moses, Katherine Schmidt, Raphael Soyer, George Tooker, Kurt Vonnegut, Warren Chappell (illustrated) and others; member lists, financial material and an annual dues ledger, 1930-1937, for the American Society of Painters, Sculptors and Gravers; member lists, a checkbook, and an accounts book, 1924-1931, for the New Society of Artists; UNESCO Artist Conference handouts, 1952; Bishop's undated studio registration book; and a book of printed material compiled by book designer, G. Alan Chidsey, undated. Also, works of art, undated, consisting of intaglio prints and etchings, 2 gesso and watercolor sketches on board, a damaged canvas, and rough figure drawings in pencil and ink. Ca. 1 ft. of printed material, 1930-1978, includes exhibition announcements and catalogs, a draft version of an exhibition catalog manuscript, press clippings, magazines, and journals. |
| RESTRICTIONS: | Patrons must use microfilm copy. |
| PROVENANCE: | Donated by Isabel Bishop, 1959-1983. Material was microfilmed as it was received during the period 1959-1971. Material received after 1971 was processed and microfilmed, with funds provided by the Bay Foundation. Portions of material on reels NY59-4 & 5 were lent by the Whitney Museum of American Art and Midtown Galleries. |
| ADDITIONAL FORMS: | 35mm microfilm reels D283, D359, NY59/4-5, 2, 64, 100 and 4983 available for use at Archives of American Art offices and through interlibrary loan. |
