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Charles Schucker papers, 1934-2001

Charles Schucker papers, 1934-2001

Schucker, Charles L., 1908-1998

Muralist, Painter

Collection Information

Size: 1.2 linear feet

Summary: The papers of New York abstract painter and educator Charles Schucker measure 1.2 linear and date from 1934 to 2001. Schucker's career as a painter is documented by biographical material, letters, writings, subject files, printed material, artwork, and photographs.

Biographical/Historical Note

Charles L. Schucker (1908-1998), an abstract painter known for poured oil paintings on unprimed canvases, began his career in Chicago with the WPA before moving to New York City in 1946.

Provenance

Lent for microfilming 1971 by Charles Schucker and donated 2011, with additional audio and video recordings, by Carrie Schucker, Schucker's daughter.

A Finding Aid to the Charles Schucker Papers, 1934-2001, in the Archives of American Art
AAA.schuchar
Author
Finding aid prepared by Rachel Salzmann
Biographical/Historical note
Charles L. Schucker (1908-1998), an abstract painter known for poured oil paintings on unprimed canvases, began his career in Chicago with the WPA before moving to New York City in 1946. He was also an educator and taught at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York for nearly 30 years.
Arrangement note
The collection is arranged in 7 series:
Series 1: Biographical Materials, 1938, 1984-1999 (Box 1; 0.1 linear feet)
Series 2: Letters, 1937-2001 (Box 1; 0.1 linear feet)
Series 3: Writings, 1934-1998 (Box 1; 0.3 linear feet)
Series 4: Subject Files, circa 1940-1999 (Box 1; 0.3 linear feet)
Series 5: Printed Material, circa 1930s-1990s (Boxes 1-2; 0.3 linear feet)
Series 6: Artwork and Sketchbooks, 1930s-1940s (Box 2; 0.1 linear feet)
Series 7: Photographs, 1951-circa 1980s (Box 2; 0.1 linear feet)
Scope and Contents note
The papers of New York abstract painter and educator Charles Schucker measure 1.2 linear and date from 1934 to 2001. Schucker's career as a painter is documented by biographical material, letters, writings, subject files, printed material, artwork, and photographs.
Biographical material includes a video recording of a memorial tribute. Letters mostly relate to business arrangements with galleries and institutions. Among Schucker's writings are 9 notebooks, some of which include notes from his study abroad. Writings about Schucker include an unpublished manuscript by Valerie Velasquez Louzonis in which she discusses his childhood, travels, and his start as an artist. Subject files touch upon his association with Pratt Institute, Katonah Museum of Art, Yaddo, various galleries, his work with the Chicago WPA, and his friendship with Morris Louis. Over 60 years of artistic work are documented in exhibition catalogs and announcements. Artwork and sketchbooks from the 1930s and 1940s offer a glimpse of his earlier style of drawing.
Provenance
Lent for microfilming 1971 by Charles Schucker and donated 2011, with additional audio and video recordings, by Carrie Schucker, Schucker's daughter.
Processing Information note
This collection was processed to a minimal level and a finding aid prepared in 2013 by Rachel Salzmann. The Archives of American Art has implemented minimal processing tactics when possible in order to increase information about and access to more of our collections.
Minimal processing included arrangement to the series, subseries, and folder levels. Generally, items within folders were simply verified with folder titles, but not arranged further. Folders within boxes were not numbered. The collection was rehoused in archival containers and folders, but not all staples and clips were removed.

Additional Forms Available

The papers dated from 1934 to 1969 are available on microfilm reels 80-81 at Archives of American Art offices and through interlibrary loan. While most microfilmed items dated 1969 or earlier can be located in the papers, there are a few exceptions. Researchers should note that the arrangement of the papers as described in this finding aid may not reflect the order of the collection on microfilm due to reprocessing.

Restrictions on Access

Use of original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C., Research Center. Contact Reference Services for more information.

How to Cite This Collection

Charles Schucker papers, 1934-2001. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.

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