Alfred Hamilton Barr papers, circa 1915-1983

Collection Information

Size: 61 Microfilm reels

Summary: The microfilmed Alfred Hamilton Barr papers contain files kept during Barr's tenure at the Museum of Modern Art, including personal and professional correspondence with museum officials, curators, writers, historians, critics, art associations, foundations, magazines, artists, and collectors; files on staff, exhibitions, and MoMA publications and collections; files on abstract art, cubism, and futurism, some related to Barr's book Cubism and Abstract Art (1936); files on the Foundation for Arts, religion and Culture (ARC), Barr's travels, lectures, speeches, exhibitions, publications, political controversies, and artists and collections in the USSR; writings, including travel notebooks regarding his trip to Russia (1959), visits with Pablo Picasso (1956), and Henri Matisse (1952); exhibition catalogs, clippings, and printed material; and photographs. Also included are material collected by Barr's wife, Margaret Scolari Barr, including Alfred Barr's obituaries, A Memorial Tribute (1981), an invitation and guest list to the memorial service, and condolence letters; and photocopies of autograph letters (circa 1920s-1970s), from the Barr's collection sold to Arthur A. Cohen in 1975.

Biographical/Historical Note

Alfred Hamilton Barr, Jr. (1902-1981) was an art historian, curator, and museum director in New York, New York. He became the first director of the Museum of Modern Art in 1929.

Provenance

The Museum of Modern Art was responsible for the selection, organization and arrangement of the papers microfilmed. Five series were not microfilmed, including Matisse (6 ft.), Picasso (7 ft.), Russian culture (6 ft.), family letters (2 ft.), and education (2 ft.).

Related Materials

The Archives of American Art holds the oral history interview with Margaret Scolari Barr relating to Alfred H. Barr, 1974 February 22-May 13. The Museum of Modern Art Archives holds the Alfred H. Barr, Jr. Papers

Language Note

English .

Location of Originals

• Originals in the Museum of Modern Art, New York, N.Y.