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  2. Jackson Pollock and Lee Krasner papers, circa 1914-1984, bulk 1942-1984
  3. Series 2: Lee Krasner Papers , circa 1927-1984

Jackson Pollock and Lee Krasner papers, circa 1914-1984, bulk 1942-1984

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Series 2: Lee Krasner Papers , circa 1927-1984
8.6 Linear feet
Box 7-15, 17

This series consists primarily of papers documenting Lee Krasner's artistic career and personal life during the last twenty years of her life. The bulk of the material dates from 1964 to 1984. Biographical material documents Krasner's family background, education, and career through chronologies, awards, resumes, exhibition lists, bibliographies, address books, and mementoes from Krasner's 1965 trip to England. Professional and personal correspondence is with gallery owners, curators, art historians and critics, students, fans, family, and fellows artists such as Cleve Gray, Alfonso Ossorio, and Philip Johnson.
There are thirteen transcripts of interviews with Krasner conducted by art historians and journalists. The interviews discuss Krasner's life and career, the art scene in New York, and her relationship with Jackson Pollock. Original audio recordings exist for many of the interviews and are filed in 2.10, Audio and Video Recordings. Writings by others consist of draft essays about Krasner and her artwork; writings by Lee Krasner consist of handwritten lecture notes and notes containing reminiscences. Business and financial records consist of loan forms, sales lists, guest lists, exhibition checklists, and other miscellaneous materials. Krasner's papers also include one scrapbook of news clippings and photographs from her 1965 Whitechapel exhibition.
Printed material consists of exhibition materials for Krasner's solo and group shows, event announcements, programs, numerous newspaper and magazine clippings, and faculty materials for her work at the Cooper Union. Numerous photographs include photographs of Krasner with Pollock, family, and friends, and photos of her home and studio. The majority of photographs are professional portraits of Krasner taken throughout her career, including portraits by Hans Namuth. Also found are photographs of Krasner at exhibitions, exhibition installations, and photographs of her artwork. Audio and video recordings include Krasner interviews, recorded radio and television shows, lectures, and a VHS recording of "Pollock a Beaubourg. Transcripts for many of the interviews are filed in Series 2.3.
The Lee Krasner Papers series is arranged into 10 subseries:
  • 2.1: Biographical Material, circa 1927-1983
  • 2.2: Correspondence, circa 1941-1984
  • 2.3: Interview Transcripts, circa 1965-1979
  • 2.4: Writings by Others, circa 1965-1981
  • 2.5: Writings by Lee Krasner, circa 1977-1979
  • 2.6: Business and Financial Records, circa 1957-1983
  • 2.7: Scrapbook, 1965
  • 2.8: Printed Material, circa 1942-1984
  • 2.9: Photographs, circa 1929-1983
  • 2.10: Audio and Video Recordings, circa 1964-1983
The arrangement is based primarily on the original microfilm arrangement.
The Lee Krasner Papers series is arranged into 10 subseries:
  • 2.1: Biographical Material, circa 1927-1983
  • 2.2: Correspondence, circa 1941-1984
  • 2.3: Interview Transcripts, circa 1965-1979
  • 2.4: Writings by Others, circa 1965-1981
  • 2.5: Writings by Lee Krasner, circa 1977-1979
  • 2.6: Business and Financial Records, circa 1957-1983
  • 2.7: Scrapbook, 1965
  • 2.8: Printed Material, circa 1942-1984
  • 2.9: Photographs, circa 1929-1983
  • 2.10: Audio and Video Recordings, circa 1964-1983
The arrangement is based primarily on the original microfilm arrangement.
The bulk of this series has been scanned from microfilm. All of the sound recordings in this series have also been digitized for research access.

2.1: Biographical Material, circa 1927-1983

Found here are Lee Krasner's genealogical notes, school transcripts, certificate of marriage to Jackson Pollock, and Who's Who biographies. Also included are resumes and artist statements, chronologies, exhibition lists, bibliographies, and address books. Awards and certificates include an award medal for the Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres. There are also mementos such as brochures, receipts, programs, and letters, from her 1965 visit to England for the Whitechapel Gallery exhibition.
Description Container
Biographical Documents, 1927-1967, undated
7
13
Biographical Data and Chronologies, 1964-1983, undated
7
14
Exhibition Lists, 1965-1977
7
15
Bibliographies, 1983, undated
7
16
Award Medals, 1977, 1982
7
17
Award Ceremony Programs, 1977, 1980
7
18
Award Certificates, 1972-1982
(Oversized items in Box 17, F1)
7
19
Address Books, undated
7
20
"Personal Mementos from England Trip", 1965
(2 folders)
7
21-22
Award Certificates, 1982
(Scanned with Box 9, F19)
17
1

2.2: Correspondence, circa 1941-1984

Lee Krasner's correspondence spans over forty years, but the bulk of it ranges from 1970 to her death in 1984. Found here is correspondence with galleries and gallery owners that represented her, exhibited her work, or requested her work for potential exhibitions. Krasner was friends with many artists and art professionals and her personal correspondence includes many letters from artists such as Philip Johnson, Ray Eames, Cleve Gray, and Hans Namuth. She also corresponded with art historians and critics, curators, collectors, arts and social organizations, admirers, and family members. Additionally, this series includes fan mail, student inquiries, correspondence with journalists and publishers, requests for her to lecture, and business correspondence on the sale of her work. There are numerous letters and telegrams congratulating Krasner on exhibitions, such as the 1965 Whitechapel retrospective and extensive documentation of her 1958 commission to create a mural for Uris Brothers, Inc.
See Index for List of Notable Correspondents from Series 2.2
Description Container
Correspondence, undated
(2 folders)
8
1-2
Correspondence, 1941-1960
(4 folders)
8
3-6
Correspondence, 1961-1965
(9 folders)
8
7-15
Correspondence, 1966-1970
(7 folders)
8
16-22
Correspondence, 1971-1976
(19 folders)
8
23-41
Correspondence, 1977-1980
(21 folders)
9
1-21
Correspondence, 1981-1984
(20 folders)
9
22-41

2.3: Interview Transcripts, circa 1965-1979,

This subseries contains transcripts of interviews of Lee Krasner conducted by various art historians and journalists. The interviews discuss Krasner's work, the early abstract expressionist movement, her relationship with Jackson Pollock, and the "New York art world". Two of the transcripts are for broadcast interviews, including a 1979 interview with Barbara Novak for WGBH New Television Workshop, Boston. Transcripts are arranged chronologically. Audio recordings for these interviews are filed in Series 2.10.
Description Container
Bruce Glaser Interview, undated
9
42
Barbara Cavaliere Interview, undated
9
43
Miscellaneous Interviews, undated
9
44
Andrew Forge Interview, 1965
9
45
Emily Wasserman Interview, 1968
9
46
Barbara Rose Interview, 1972
9
47
Gaby Rogers Interview, 1977
9
48
Barbaralee Diamonstein Interview, 1978
9
49
Barbara Rose Interview, 1978
10
1
Helen Weinberg Interview, 1978
10
2
Richard Howard Interview, 1978
10
3
Ellen G. Landau Interview, 1979
10
4
Barbara Novak Interview, 1979
10
5

2.4: Writings by Others, circa 1965-1981

This subseries includes draft essays, many with annotations, about Lee Krasner and her artwork. Items are arranged chronologically.
Description Container
Ellen G. Landau, untitled manuscript, undated
10
6
B. H. Friedman, "Lee Krasner,", 1965
10
7
Eleanor Munro, untitled manuscript, circa 1977
10
8
Deborah Daw, "Lee Krasner: On Climbing a Mountain of Porcelain", 1979
10
9
John Myers, "An Imaginary Interview with Lee Krasner", 1981
10
10

2.5: Writings by Lee Krasner, circa 1977-1979

This subseries includes a few lecture notes by Lee Krasner as well as handwritten notes about her life and memories.
Description Container
Personal Notes and Lectures, 1977-1979, undated
10
11

2.6: Business and Financial Records, circa 1957-1983

Scattered business and financial records date primarily from 1967 to 1983 and include exhibition checklists, conservation forms, loan forms, sales and price lists, warehouse and shipping receipts, guest lists, account statements and other handwritten lists and notes. There is documentation from the Robert Miller Gallery, Pace Gallery, the Whitney museum, and the Marlborough gallery.
Description Container
Miscellaneous Business Records, 1957-1983, undated
(9 folders)
10
12-20
Sales and Accounting Statements for Robert Miller Gallery, 1981-1982
10
21
Loan Forms and Checklists from "Lee Krasner Retrospective", 1983
(2 folders)
10
22-23
Financial Records, 1967-1977
10
24
Inventories, Marlborough Gallery, 1975-1976
10
25
Inventories, Pace Gallery, 1975-1981
10
26
Inventories, Robert Miller Gallery, 1982-1983
10
27
Price Lists, 1972, undated
10
28
Mailing Lists, Marlborough Gallery, 1968, 1973
(2 folders)
10
29-30
Mailing Lists, Whitney Museum, 1973
10
31
Mailing Lists, Pace Gallery, 1977
10
32
Mailing Lists, Whitney Museum, 1978
10
33
Mailing Lists, Pace Gallery, 1979, 1981
(2 folders)
10
34-35
Mailing Lists, Robert Miller Gallery, 1981
10
36
Guest Lists, Robert Miller Gallery, 1982
10
37

2.7: Scrapbook, 1965

This scrapbook documents a 1965 exhibition of Krasner's work at Whitechapel Gallery in London. The scrapbook was created by the President of Marlborough Gallery, Pierre Levai, and includes news clippings about the event and photographs of the exhibition installation.
Description Container
Whitechapel Gallery Exhibition Scrapbook, 1965
10
38

2.8: Printed Material, circa 1942-1984

Printed material documents Lee Krasner's career and includes solo and group exhibition catalogs, announcements, press releases, and numerous newspaper and magazine clippings. There are also newsletters, event calendars, annual reports, and documentary film announcements for films about Krasner. Schedules, directories, instructions, and other faculty materials are from Krasner's semester as a faculty member at Cooper Union. Miscellaneous printed material includes primarily programs, brochures, and invitations to events. There is also an "Odds and Ends" folder. Items are arranged by type of material and chronologically within each folder.
Description Container
Exhibition Catalogs, undated
10
39
Exhibition Catalogs, 1942-1963
(3 folders)
10
40-42
Exhibition Catalogs, 1964-1975
(7 folders)
11
1-7
Exhibition Catalogs, 1976-1981
(10 folders)
11
8-17
Exhibition Catalogs, 1982-1984
(4 folders)
12
1-4
Exhibition Announcements, 1949-1984, undated
(4 folders)
12
5-8
Press Releases, 1958-1983, undated
12
9
Miscellaneous Printed Material, 1968-1983, undated
(2 folders)
12
10-11
Documentary Film Announcements, 1972-1983
12
12
Essay, "Jackson Pollock Works on Paper", undated
12
13
Reproductions of Artwork, circa 1981-1982, undated
12
14
Essay, "The American Abstract Expressionist Collection of the Sarah Campbell Blaffer Foundation", undated
12
15
Newsletters, Events Calendars, and Annual Reports, 1960-1984, undated
(2 folders)
12
16-17
Selected Chronology, undated
12
18
Exhibition info for "Lee Krasner at Martha Jackson", 1958
12
19
Faculty Materials, The Cooper Union, 1976
12
20
The Subject of the Artist, 1978
12
21
Exhibition Materials for "Krasner/Pollock: A Working Relationship", 1981
12
22
25 Artists, 1982
12
23
"Odds & Ends", 1969-1970, undated
12
24
New Clippings, undated
12
25
News Clippings, 1948-1974
(5 folders)
12
26-30
News Clippings, 1975-1979
(4 folders)
12
31-34
News Clippings, 1981-1984
(6 folders)
13
1-6
Magazine Clippings, 1952-1984, undated
(3 folders)
13
7-9
Photographs of Artists in Harper's Bazaar (Reproductions), 1951
(Not scanned)
13
10
Exhibition Poster, 1969
(Not scanned)
17
1

2.9: Photographs, circa 1929-1983

Lee Krasner's personal photographs and photographs of her artwork are filed here, including one of her painting in the studio and portraits of her at the WPA pier. The majority of the photographs in this subseries are professional portraits taken of Lee Krasner throughout her career. Some of the portraits depict her home and painting in her studio. Photographers of note are Hans Namuth, Renate Ponsold, and Ray Eames, and one by Irving Penn. All portraits of Krasner are grouped by photographer and arranged chronologically.
Personal and family photographs include photos of Krasner on the beach, circa 1939, and with family and friends. Photographs of Krasner with Jackson Pollock were taken at the beach, with family, and at their home in the Springs. There are also photographs of the two of them outside of their home and in the studio, taken by Wilfred Zogbaum. There are photographs of Lee Krasner at various exhibitions, including her 1973 exhibition at the Whitney Museum of American Art.
Photographs of artwork include photographs of Krasner's work in various medium, such as ink, collage, lithographs, and mosaic, as well as the artwork she did for the WPA. Photographs of artwork have not been scanned.

2.9.1: Personal Photographs, 1938-1982, undated

Description Container
Early Portraits of Lee Krasner, 1938-1940, undated
13
11
Lee Krasner at the WPA Pier, circa 1942
13
12
Lee Krasner Personal and Family Photographs, circa 1939-1964, undated
(2 folders)
13
13-14
Lee Krasner and Jackson Pollock, circa 1950, undated
(2 folders)
13
15-16
Portraits of Krasner by Maurice Berezov, circa 1942, 1956, undated
13
17
Portraits of Krasner by Hans Namuth, 1955, 1958, undated
(Oversized items in Box 17, F2)
13
18
Portraits of Krasner by Halley Erskine, 1959
(Oversized items in Box 17, F3)
13
19
Portraits of Krasner by Paul De Vries, circa 1960-1961
13
20
Portraits of Krasner by Paul De Vries, circa 1960-1961
13
21
Portraits of Krasner by Hans Namuth, 1962
13
22
Portraits of Krasner by Ray Eames, 1965
13
23
Portraits of Krasner by Bryan Wharton, 1965
13
24
Portraits of Krasner by Bob Miller, 1968
13
25
Portraits of Krasner by Mark Patiky, 1970
(Oversized items in Box 17, F4)
13
26
Portraits of Krasner by John Reed, circa 1970
13
27
Portraits of Krasner by Irving Penn, 1972
(Oversized items in Box 17, F5)
13
28
Portraits of Krasner by Iris Schneider, 1973
13
29
Portraits of Krasner by David Gahr, 1973
13
30
Portraits of Krasner by Ann Chwatsky, circa 1975
13
31
Portraits of Krasner by Marjorie Michael, 1975
13
32
Portraits of Krasner by Ray Eames, 1976
13
33
Portraits of Krasner by Lenore Seroka, circa 1977
13
34
Portraits of Krasner by Renate Ponsold, 1977
13
35
Portraits of Krasner by Jesse Fernandez, circa 1979
13
36
Portraits of Krasner by Ernst Hans, 1981
13
37
Portraits of Krasner by Waintrob-Budd, 1981
(Oversized items in Box 17, F6)
13
38
Portraits of Krasner, Miscellaneous, 1950-1982, undated
(2 folders; Oversized items in Box 17, F7)
13
39-40
Lee Krasner's Home by Ray Eames, 1963
13
41
Lee Krasner's Home by Jesse Fernandez, 1973, 1979, undated
(2 folders)
13
42-43
Exhibition, University of Alabama, 1969
13
44
Exhibition, Whitney Museum, 1973
13
45
Exhibition, Brandeis University, 1975
13
46
Exhibition, "Around Jackson Pollock: East Hampton, the 1950s", 1979
13
47
Exhibition, Centre Georges Pompidou, 1982
13
48
Exhibitions, Miscellaneous, 1974, undated
13
49
Portraits of Krasner by Hans Namuth, 1955, 1958, undated
(Scanned with Box 13, F18)
17
2
Portraits of Krasner by Halley Erskine, 1959
(Scanned with Box 13, F19)
17
3
Portraits of Krasner by Mark Patiky, 1970
(Scanned with Box 13, F26)
17
4
Portraits of Krasner by Irving Penn, 1972
(Scanned with Box 13, F28)
17
5
Portraits of Krasner by Waintrob-Budd, 1981
(Scanned with Box 13, F38)
17
6
Portraits of Krasner, Miscellaneous, 1950-1982, undated
(Scanned with Box 13, F39-40)
17
7

2.9.2: Photographs of Artwork, 1929-1983, undated

(not scanned)
Description Container
Charcoal Drawings, 1937-1939
13
50
Oil on Paper, 1938
13
51
Early Abstractions, 1938-1943
13
52
Artwork for the WPA, circa 1940-1942
13
53
Little Image Paintings, 1946-1950
(2 folders)
14
1-2
Ink Paintings, 1950-1958
14
3
Paintings, 1942-1965, undated
(8 folders; Oversized items in Box 17, F8)
14
4-11
Mosaic Table, 1947
(Oversized items in Box 17, F9)
14
12
Studies for Mosaic Project, 1959
14
13
Collages, 1953-1979
(3 folders)
14
14-16
Lithographs, 1962-1963
14
17
Miscellaneous Artwork by Lee Krasner, 1929-1935, undated
(2 folders)
14
18-19
Unidentified Artwork, undated
14
20
Stable Gallery Collage Exhibition, 1955
(Oversized items in Box 17, F10)
14
21
Howard Wise Gallery Exhibition, 1962
14
22
Marlborough Gallery Exhibition, 1968
14
23
Marlborough Gallery Exhibition, 1969
(2 folders)
14
24-25
University of Alabama Exhibtion, 1969
14
26
Reese Palley Gallery Exhibition, 1969
14
27
Marlborough Gallery Exhibition, 1973
14
28
Whitney Museum Exhibition, 1973
14
29
Janie C. Lee Gallery Exhibition, 1978
14
30
Pace Gallery Exhibition, 1979
14
31
Janie C. Lee Gallery Exhibition, 1981
14
32
Nassau County Museum of Art Exhibition, 1981
14
33
Grey Art Gallery Exhibition, 1981
14
34
Guild Hall Exhibition, 1981
14
35
Pace Gallery Exhibition, 1981
14
36
Tate Gallery Exhibition, 1983
14
37
Unidentified Exhibitions, 1954-1959, 1976, undated
14
38
Drawing by Tony Smith, 1945-1946
14
39
Miscellaneous Proof Sheets, undated
14
40
Negatives, undated
14
41
Color Transparencies, 1938-1972, undated
(3 folders)
15
1-3
Paintings, 1942-1962, undated
(See also Box 14, F4-11)
17
8
Mosaic Table, 1947
(See also Box 14, F12)
17
9
Stable Gallery Collage Exhibition, 1955
(See also Box 14, F21)
17
10

2.10: Audio and Video Recordings, circa 1964-1983

This subseries consists primarily of audio recordings of interviews with Lee Krasner that discuss her career, her relationship with Jackson Pollock, and Pollock's career. The recordings include interviews conducted by John Gruen for the Casper Citron radio show, one for the Martha Dean radio show, and one for the "Today Show". Another interview of note was conducted by fellow artist Mercedes Matter. Transcripts for most of these interviews are filed in Series 2.3.
Also found in this series are two recorded lectures given by Lee Krasner, and two copies VHS video recordings about Pollock and a 1982 exhibition of his work, "Pollock a Beaubourg". Items are arranged chronologically.
Description Container
Lee Krasner Lecture at Nassau County Museum of Art, undated
1 Sound cassette
15
4
Bruce Glaser Interview of Lee Krasner, undated
1 Sound tape reel
Includes letter from Glaser and notes.
15
5
Mercedes Matter Interview of Lee Krasner, undated
1 Sound tape reel
Original
1 Sound discs (CD)
Duplicate
CD is access copy.
15
6
John Gruen Interview of Lee Krasner, 1964
2 Sound discs (lacquer)
Original
1 Sound tape reel
Duplicate
2 Sound cassettes
Duplicates
15
7-9
Martha Dean Radio Show Interview of Lee Krasner, 1968
1 Sound cassette
Duplicate
1 Sound tape reel
Original
15
10-11
Dolores Holmes Interview of Lee Krasner, 1971
1 Sound tape reel
15
12
NBC "Today Show" Interview of Lee Krasner, 1973
1 Sound tape reel
15
13
Lee Krasner Appearance on the 6PM News, 1973 November
1 Sound tape reel
15
13
Sarah Faunce Interview of Lee Krasner, 1977
1 Sound tape reel
15
14
Lee Krasner lecture at Queens College, 1977 May 23
1 Sound cassette
15
15
Lee Krasner lecture at the Susanne Hilberry Gallery, 1977 November 21
1 Sound cassette
WQXR Radio Interview of Lee Krasner, 1980
1 Sound cassette
15
16
Unidentified Interview with Lee Krasner, undated
1 Sound cassette
Poor sound quality at first; improves around 36 min.
15
17
Unidentified radio interview with Lee Krasner, Robert Indiana, and Paul Jenkins, 1976
1 Sound cassette
15
17
"Pollock a Beaubourg", 1982-1983
1 Videocassettes (U-matic)
1 Videocassettes (VHS)
15
18-19
John Gruen Interview of Lee Krasner, 1964
2 Sound discs (lacquer)
(See also Box 15, F9)
17

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  • 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.