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  3. Series 4: Writings, 1920-1987

Dorothy Dehner papers, 1920-1987, bulk 1951-1987

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Series 4: Writings, 1920-1987
0.25 Linear feet

Series consists of the writings by Dorothy Dehner, including articles, poems, lectures and speeches, and other pieces. Writings document some of the influences on Dehner's art, some of her ideas about art in general and certain works in particular, and some of her other creative and more scholarly endeavors. Writings by others include instances of the scholarly interpretation of her work by others.
The bulk of this series has been digitized. Duplicates copies of writings with no annotations have not been digitized.

4.1: Writings by Dorothy Dehner, 1920-1977

Series includes various drafts, proofs, and reprints relating to Dehner's essay on John Graham, which was initially written as a foreword to Graham's Systems and Dialectics of Art re-issued by Johns Hopkins Press in 1971, but was first published as an article in the art journal, Leonardo in 1968; note that related material can be found in Series 2: Correspondence. Also found is material related to Dehner's essay on David Smith's work, "Medals for Dishonor," which was published as an article in Art Journal in 1977. Records consist of correspondence (mostly copies), including a copy of a David Smith letter with his suggested text to accompany the work, printed material, and drafts of Dehner's article. A draft of a memoir of Dehner's first meeting with Smith written for Art in America can also be found here.
Dehner's other writings on art include notes and copies of various speeches and lectures given at the Artists Club, the Cummer Gallery of Art, and elsewhere; various statements on art, including remarks on the Menorah, a plan of work, and a short piece on the series of paintings, Life on the Farm; and contributions to catalogs for others, including ones for Joel Levy and Joan Paul. Dehner's poems include one she wrote in high school, manuscripts of two that were published in the journal, Tracks, and poems she wrote for her stepdaughter and granddaughter. Other writings include notes taken during a stay in the hospital in 1933, and later reflective and memoir pieces such as were written for her granddaughter, upon the death of Marian Willard, and on other occasions.
Student work includes papers dating from Dehner's time at Skidmore College in 1951-1952, including an essay on eighteen artists and the Metropolitan Art Museum, and notes from a class she took on Oriental Cultures.
Description Container
"A Response to the Work of Joan Paul", undated
3
15
Artist Statements, circa 1956-1976
3
16
Biographical Writings, undated
3
17
"David Smith: First Meeting", circa 1966
Draft for Art in America
3
18
"For Melanie", undated
3
19
Joel Levy Catalog Foreword Draft, 1978
3
20
"John Graham: A Memoir" Draft, circa 1968
3
21
"John Graham: A Memoir" Proof, 1968
3
22
"John Graham: A Memoir" Reprint in Leonardo, 1969
3
23
John Graham, Notes on?, circa 1966
3
24
John Graham's System and Dialectics of Art, Foreword Draft, 1966-1971
3
25
John Graham's System and Dialectics of Art, Foreword Draft, 1966-1971
3
26
John Graham's System and Dialectics of Art, Foreword Proof, 1971
3
27
Lectures and Speeches, College Art Association Meeting Speech Notes, undated
3
28
Lectures and Speeches, Cummer Art Gallery Lecture, circa 1966-circa 1969
3
29
Lectures and Speeches, Parsons School of Design Lecture Notes, 1969
3
30
Lectures and Speeches, Sculpture Forum at the Artists Club Speech, circa 1959
3
31
"Medals for Dishonor: The Fifteen Medallions of David Smith," Drafts, circa 1968-1977
3
32
"Medals for Dishonor: The Fifteen Medallions of David Smith," Drafts, circa 1968-1977
3
33
"Medals for Dishonor: The Fifteen Medallions of David Smith," Research Material, 1940, 1968
3
34
Notebook, Hospital Notes, circa 1933
3
35
Notes, Miscellaneous, undated
3
36
"Of Death and Life", undated
3
37
"Plexiglass Relief for the Great Southwest Industrial Park" Reprint in Leonardo, 1969
3
38
Poems, 1920-1975
3
39
"Remembering Marian" (Willard), 1985
3
40
Student Work, Essay "Survey of Eighteen Artists and [the Metropolitan Museum]", 1951-1952
3
41
Student Work, Notes from Class on Oriental Culture, 1951-1952
3
42
Student Work, Notes from Class on Oriental Culture, 1951-1952
3
43

4.2: Writings by Others, 1953-1987

Writings by others comprise manuscripts for essays on Dehner which appeared in catalogs accompanying exhibitions of her work at Rutgers University in 1984 ("Dorothy Dehner: Life and Work" by Judith McCandless) and Baruch College in 1991 ("Dorothy Dehner" by Joan Marter). Also found here are poems by Herman Cherry and a copy of a speech, "The Origins of Sculpture" given by David Smith in 1953.
Description Container
Cherry, Herman, Poems, 1974-1976
3
44
Marter, Joan, "Dorothy Dehner", 1987
3
45
McCandless, Judith, "Dorothy Dehner: Life and Work", 1983
3
46
McCandless, Judith, "Dorothy Dehner: Life-Line in Sculpture", 1974
3
47
Smith, David, Speech in Norman, Oklahoma, 1953 May 1
3
48
Unknown, Footnotes to Article on Dorothy Dehner, circa 1980
3
49

Make a Request

  • To request an appointment to view materials, make your selections using the checkboxes and click the "Reading Room" button. Please note, you will receive the full box.
  • To request reproductions, make your selections using the checkboxes and click the "Reproduction" button.