Erle Loran papers, 1912-1999

Collection Information

Size: 12.6 linear feet

Summary: The papers of California painter and teacher Erle Loran measure 12.6 linear feet and date from 1912 to 1991. Found are biographical materials; two linear feet of personal and professional correspondence; personal business records; writings which include extensive drafts and notes for Loran's book "Cezanne's Composition"; over 400 items of artwork that include watercolors, drawings, charcoal, and pastel studies; printed materials; photographs of Loran, family, and friends, and artwork; and one audio recording of a lecture by Loran on Cezanne.

Biographical/Historical Note

Painter, writer, and teacher Erle Loran (1905-1999) was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, but spent most of his life painting and teaching in California. Loran attended University of Minnesota (1922-1923) and Minneapolis School of Art (1924-1926), where he received the Chaloner Foundation Prize (1926) which enabled him to study in France for three years. Particularly interested in Cézanne, he had the good fortune to live in his studio where he immersed himself in Cézanne's world, an experience that was crucial to the development of his artistic vision. Upon his return to the U.S., he published many articles on Cézanne that developed into his pioneering book, "Cézanne's Composition" (1943). In 1937, he joined the art department of the University of California, Berkeley, retiring emeritus professor of art in 1981.

Provenance

Material donated 1975 by Erle Loran and in 1999 by Mrs. Ruth Schora-Loran, Loran's widow. Material on reel 906 was lent for microfilming by Loran in 1975.

Related Materials

Separated materials: Photographs of artwork by Erle Loran and two clippings of reproductions of Erle Loran's artwork were loaned for microfilming in 1975 and are available on 35mm microfilm reel 906 at Archives of American Art offices, and through interlibrary loan. These materials are not described in the container listing of the finding aid.

Also found in the Archives of American Art is an oral history interview with Erle Loran conducted by Herschel Chipp, June 18, 1981, and a 1981 interview with Erle and Clyta Loran in the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco Interviews With Artists collection; and a letter from Loran to Richard Wattenmaker, 1975.

Funding

Funding for processing of the Erle Loran papers provided by the Getty Foundation.

Location of Originals

• Reel 906: Originals returned to Erle Loran after microfilming.