Henry Bacon papers, 1849-1931

Found is an address book, a declaration for American artists signed by Louisa Lee and Henry Bacon, geneological material of the Munro-Bacon family, an identification card with Bacon's photo for the 1889 exposition in Paris, a list of founding members of the Société des Elèves de l'Atelier Cabanel, an engraved menu for a dinner held at the Palais d'Abdine in Cairo, a form granted by the Louvre giving Bacon permission to copy a painting, and autobiographical notes and resumes.

This series has been scanned in its entirety.

The bulk of this series consists of scattered letters written in French by artists featured in a book by Bacon and from Bacon's fellow students of Alexandre Cabanel. Researchers should note that some of the signatures are illegible. A letter from Henri de Courmont is an acceptance letter to the École des Beaux-Arts. A letter from Charles Insley Pardee grants honorary membership to the Lotus Club in New York City. Also found is a letter from Henry Bacon Sr., and two letters from American school children writing to Bacon to request snapshots of Egypt. There is correspondence between Louisa Lee Bacon Eldrich to museums and institutions concerning her husband's works of art and donations. A letter written in French to Mr. Romuu from Mr. Henry Vigrand (?) is likely a letter of introduction from the French government to that of Andorra for Henry Bacon.

Artist letters in this series from Bacon's book Parisian Art and Artists include: Beaumont, E. Berne-Bellecourt, Vincent Chevillard, Luigi Chialiva, Georges Clairin, Edmond Dupain, Carolus Duran, Antonio Gonzalez, Ferdinand Heilbuth, Madeleine Lemaire, Luc Oliver Merson, and Leon Olivie. Letters from the students of Alexandre Cabanel include Bartholdi, Edmond Borchard, Pierre Cabanel, Horace de Callias, Benjamin Constant, Fernand Cormon, Edmond Dupain,M.H. Gaudefroy, Jules Girardet, Charles Gosselin, E. Hamm, G. Haquette, and E. Renar.

This series has been scanned in its entirety.

Found are short stories and personal accounts concerning art, museums, and travel. There is a written account of a meeting with Cecil Rhodes shortly before his death entitled "Meeting with Cecil Rhodes," and "The Artist in Pre-Cromo Days," an account of Bacon's experiences as an art student, his first visit to Ecouen, and encounters with Edouard Frère, J.F. Millet, and Corot. There is a twenty-two page biographical work by Louisa Lee Bacon about her husband. Also found are poems and a poetry notebook by Bacon and scattered poems written in French by unknown authors.

This series has been scanned in its entirety.

Found is a notebook documenting the sale of Bacon's paintings from 1864-1867, an expense journal detailing expenses from a European trip in 1911, and a French document concerning Bacon's occupation of an apartment.

This series has been scanned in its entirety.

Found are clippings, exhibition catalogs, a copy of Étretat: Hamlet of the Setting Sun by Bacon, reproductions of works of art, and a copy of The Artists Guild journal. One exhibition catalog from 1931 is a handmade mock-up created by Louisa Lee Bacon Eldrich with both typed and handwritten names of works. Some materials are in French.

This series has been scanned in its entirety.

Found are two scrapbooks which relate to Henry Bacon's career as an artist. One scrapbook dates from 1866-1882 and contains mostly clippings, however one photograph is included. A second scrapbook dates from 1912-1923 and was created by Louisa Lee Bacon. It contains clippings, exhibition catalogs, notices, photographs, and a poem. Many of the clippings are in French.

This series has been scanned in its entirety.

Found are portraits of the artist, snapshots, photos of works of art, and reference photos. Portraits are of Bacon, his wife Louisa Lee Bacon, and of Marie Therese de Bourbon. Portraits of Bacon are mostly in his later years, however there is a daguerreotype of the artist in his Civil War uniform. Snapshots are of the couple during their travels through France, Egypt, and Italy some of which depict Bacon painting outside in France. There are travel photos of Egypt and England used by Bacon as reference for his art.

This series has been scanned in its entirety.

This series consists of eight sketchbooks, pen and ink illustrations, and watercolor sketches. The majority of the works depict scenes of Bacon's travels through France and Egypy and include figures in costume, desert landscapes, and seascapes. Also found are two sketches of Bacon, one by J. Carroll Beckwith and one unsigned.

This series has been scanned in its entirety.