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

Series consists of the writings of Dorothy Dehner, including articles, poems, lectures and speeches, and other pieces, as well as some writings of others. 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, as well as some instances of the scholarly interpretation of her own work by others.

Found is extensive material, including various drafts, proofs, and reprints, relating to her 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. (Related material can be found amongst correspondence.) Also found are research material (correspondence - mostly copies - and printed material) and drafts of Dehner's essay on David Smith's work, "Medals for Dishonor," which was published as an article in Art Journal in 1977, in addition to a draft of a piece on first meeting Smith for Art in America.

Dehner's other writings on art include notes and copies of various speeches and lectures given at the Artists Club and the Cummer Gallery of Art, among other places; 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 ones that 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, written for her granddaughter, upon the death of Marian Willard, and on other occasions.

Writings of others include a copy of a letter by David Smith and a piece he wrote on his work, "Medals for Dishonor" (which could very well be part of Dehner's research material for her essay on this work); a copy of a 1953 speech on "the origins of sculpture" given by David Smith; poems by Herman Cherry; and manuscripts for various essays on Dehner, two of which appeared in catalogs accompanying Dehner exhibitions at Rutgers University in 1984 ("Dorothy Dehner: Life and Work" by Judith McCandless) and Baruch College in 1991 ("Dorothy Dehner" by Joan Marter).

Writings are typically arranged in rough chronological order. The writings of others are arranged in files at the end of the series.