Richard J. Powell papers, 1971-1992

Scope and Contents

Papers, 1980-1992, mostly concerning art historian Richard Powell's research and writings on African American painter William H. Johnson (1901-1970). Found is Powell's correspondence with Robert Baehr, Sigrid Bondo, Adelyn Breeskin, David C. Driskell, Michel Fabre, Robert Ferris Thompson, ?ystein Hjort, Margo Humphrey, Gregers Krake, Richard A. Long, Torben Lundbæk, Virginia Mecklenburg, Jostein Nerbøvik, Mette Nørredam, James Parker, Jules D. Prown, Kjetil Tandstad, Judith Wilson, Debbie Wood, and Danish and Scandinavian museums and associations. There are also two illustrated research/travel journals containing Powell's comments on Johnson's works of art, related thoughts, slide lists, notes from his lectures at the Sorbonne in Paris, and other experiences dating from July 14 to November 28, 1984, and January 1 to June 20, 1985; two wall calendars, 1984-1985, noting appointments and exhibition openings; a notebook, loose notes and other writings; postcards, reseach files that contain photocopies of printed material and other primary documents about Johnson including clippings from foreign newspapers with translations; printed material concerning the exhibition Homecoming: William H. Johnson and Afro-America, 1938-1946, curated by Powell at the National Museum of American Art, 1991-1992; photographs (copy prints, contact prints, and negatives) of Johnson and his artwork; and miscellany.

Provenance

Richard Powell collected this material while conducting research on William H. Johnson. He donated it to the Archives of American Art in July, 2000.

Related Materials

Richard Powell papers, 1960-2011, is located at Duke University David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.

Processing Information

A volunteer completed preliminary processing of the collection in 2002. In 2004, Barbara Aikens completed minimal arrangement and organization of the papers and a finding aid.