Collection Information
Size: 3.1 Linear feet
Summary: The papers of sculptor, painter, and race car driver Salvatore Scarpitta measure 3.1 linear feet and 5.09 GB and date from 1934 to 2012. The papers include personal and professional letters from friends and galleries, exhibition and loan files, legal records pertaining to Scarpitta's estate, financial records, a scrapbook, photographs, printed and digital material, and video recordings.
Biographical/Historical Note
Salvatore Scarpitta (1919-2007) was a sculptor, painter, and race car driver in Los Angeles, California, and New York, New York. Scarpitta was born in New York and grew up in Los Angeles. He served in the United States Navy during World War II as a Monuments Man, and afterwards lived for a period of time in Rome. In 1958 he moved to New York and was represented by the Leo Castelli Gallery. At the Castelli Gallery, Scarpitta received 10 solo exhibitions and was involved in numerous group shows. His work included multimedia canvases, sleds, and sprint cars.
Provenance
The Salvatore Scarpitta papers were donated to the Archives of American Art in 2014 by Salvatore Scarpitta's daughter, Stella Cartaino.
Related Materials
Also found in the Archives of American Art is an oral history interview with Salvatore Scarpitta conducted by Paul Cummings, January 31-February 3, 1975.
Language Note
The collection is in English and Italian.
Funding Note
The processing of this collection received Federal support from the Smithsonian Collections Care and Preservation Fund, administered by the National Collections Program and the Smithsonian Collections Advisory Committee.
Image assets for this folder have not been fully processed.
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