Mysteries of the Archives of American Art

January 4, 2023

Project Overview:

The Archives of American Art’s online initiative Mysteries of the Archives of American Art involves the public in helping identify unknown figures in photographs across the Archives collections. Many photographs that are part of the Archives of American Art’s various collections include individuals whom the Archives has not been able to identify, and some of these individuals are from historically underrepresented and less-documented groups, including women and people of color. Please join us in solving these mysteries by exploring selected photos below.

How to Get In Touch:

If you have leads, clues, or ideas of who the unknown individuals may be , email us at AAAMysteries@si.edu. Your email should include:

Your first and last name
Your organization, if applicable
Your preferred mode of contact, should we need to reach you (e.g. email address or phone number)
The photo name (for which you are identifying the unknown individual)
The name of the individual you believe is the unidentifiable figure in the photo or any information you may have that could help us identify the individual
Your level of certainty in the information you provided

Also Available on Social Media:

Follow us on social media—Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram—to view newly released Mysteries of the Archives of American Art photos. We welcome you to share our posts and photos with your network using the hashtag, #MysteriesOfTheArchivesOfAmericanArt.

MYSTERY SOLVED: The Mystery of Walt Kuhn and an Unidentified Man in Europe, 1925

Sepia photograph of two men, both wearing formal coats and holding smoking pipes close to their chest. Kuhn, right, is slightly taller and thinner, and the unidentified man, left, has a mustache. They are standing outside in front of a house with a tree in the background. — Walt Kuhn and an unidentified man in Europe, 1925. Photographer unknown. Walt Kuhn family papers and Armory Show Records.

The Mystery:

Where: Europe (which country?)

When: 1925

Who: Walt Kuhn (right), unidentified man (left)

The Mystery of Lila Refregier, Marion Greenwood, unidentified guest, Yasuo Kuniyoshi, Sara Mazo Kuniyoshi, Anton Refregier, and Hannah Small, Cafe Society Uptown, New York, 1940

A black and white photograph of a group of seven, sitting at a table with a white tablecloth and drinks on the table. All seven people are dressed formally and looking off to the right side of the photo. — Lila Refregier, Marion Greenwood, unidentified guest, Yasuo Kuniyoshi, Sara Mazo Kuniyoshi, Anton Refregier, and Hannah Small, Cafe Society Uptown, New York, 1940. Albert A. Freeman, photographer. Yasuo Kuniyoshi papers, 1906-2016.

The Mystery:

Where: Café Society Uptown, New York

When: 1940

MYSTERY SOLVED: The Mystery of Isabel Eberstadt, Walter De Maria, Susanna De Maria Wilson, Terry Riley(?), and an unidentified man, 1966

The Mystery of James Purdy, Gertrude Abercrombie, and unidentified man, circa 1945

wo black and white photos in silver frames side by side. In the left photo, two men side by side with a woman in front of them. The photograph only shows their heads/busts. The man on the left (unidentified) has his arms wrapped around the woman (Gertrude Abercrombie) and James Purdy, wearing a brimmed hat, stands beside him in the back. In the right photo, the same three people are side by side, all looking in different directions. — James Purdy, Gertrude Abercrombie, and unidentified man, circa 1945.

The Mystery of Giulio Blanc with N. Montero and an unidentified man at 17th Street Gallery, June 1981

Giulio Blanc with N.

The Mystery of John Paul Jones and an unidentified man, circa 1965

Black and white photograph of two men sit outside engaged in a conversation. The man on the left, John Paul Jones, is closer to the camera, leaning back while talking, and holding a cup of coffee. The man on the right, unidentified, is wearing glasses and looking at Jones. There are vines on a brick wall behind them, and both men are wearing suit jackets, Jones’ made of tweed and lighter in color than the other man’s. — John Paul Jones and an unidentified man, circa 1965.

MYSTERY SOLVED: The Mystery of Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo, and Unidentified Woman in New York studio, 193-?

Sepia photograph of the mystery woman (left) and Frida Kahlo (right) seated at a table in an art studio. Diego Rivera is standing behind them, leaning forward. On the table in front of them is an array of art works and books, and a mug full of paintbrushes. There are sculptures and decorations in the background. The unidentified woman is wearing a suit jacket, a decorative hat, and is looking off to the side. — Charmante Studio, Inc. Photograph of Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo in New York studio, 193-?. Bernard H. Berntsen papers, 1931-1987.

The Mystery of Colin de Land with an Unidentified Woman at a Party, 2000

Sepia photograph of Colin DeLand sitting at a tablewith his legs turned away from the table. He is wearing a suit and tie, with a baseball cap and chain necklace. A woman is sitting on his lap with her arm slung behind Colin’s shoulder. She is wearing a light-colored floor-length gown and holding a fur coat and a camera in her other arm. The table is covered in a damask-patterned tablecloth and there are several waterglasses and candles on the table. — Colin de Land with an unidentified woman at a party, 2000 Oct. 5. Colin de Land collection, 1968-2008.

The Mystery of Max Weber, Aristide Maillol, and an unidentified man, 1942

Sepia photograph of three men standing side-by-side. The photograph shows them down to their knees. They are standing outside in formal wear, and the edges of the photograph are yellowed and tattered. Part of the left side of the photo is missing. The three men are Max Weber (left), unidentified man (center), and Aristride Maillol (right). Maillol is wearing a lighter-colored suit and a hat. — Max Weber, Aristide Maillol, and an unidentified man, 1942. Photographer unknown. Miscellanous photographs collection.

The Mystery:

MYSTERY SOLVED: The Mystery of Hugo Gellert and an unidentified man, circa 1950

Black and white photograph of two men in a gallery. The man on the right, who is slightly taller (unidentified man), has his arms around the shoulder of the man on the left (Hugo Gellert). Both men are wearing suits and ties, and Gellert is wearing glasses and has a mustache. They are standing next to a panel with three artworks. The piece closest to them (most visible) is a charcoal line drawing of a woman sitting in a windowsill with curtains sweeping around her. — Hugo Gellert and an unidentified man, circa 1950. G.D. Hackett, photographer. Hugo Gellert papers.

MYSTERY SOLVED: The Mystery of Cecilia Beaux and an unidentified woman at Green Alley, circa 1910

Sepia photograph of two women standing otuside of a house, wearring long dresses. The woman on the left, Cecilia Beaux, is wearing a hat. — **Cecilia Beaux and an unidentified woman at Green Alley, circa 1910. Photographer unknown. Cecilia Beaux papers, 1863-1968.**

The Mystery:

What: The two women are going on a stroll outside

Where: Green Alley, Cecilia Beaux's summer home in Gloucester, Massachusetts

When: circa 1910

Who: Cecilia Beaux (left) and unidentified woman (right)

MYSTERY SOLVED: The Mystery of Andrew Dasburg and others in his studio, circa 1910

Three men in an art studio with pots and dishes. One is kneeling, one is bending over, and one is standing upright, all as they are cleaning dishes — **Andrew Dasburg and others in his studio, 1910. Photographer unknown. Andrew Dasburg and Grace Mott Johnson papers.**

The Mystery:

What: The three men cleaning dishes after a meal

Where: Dasburg's Paris studio, 115 rue Notre Dame des Champs

When: circa 1910

MYSTERY SOLVED: The Mystery of Bob Thompson, Nancy Dannenberg, Daniele and A.B. Spellman with two unidentified figures, at Jazz at Slugs, New York, 1964

A group of siz people sit around a table at a table. On the left, three are engaged in a conversation, the man in the center is looking at the camera, and the man on the right is sleeping on the shoulder of the woman next to him, who is looking off to the side. — **Bob Thompson, Nancy Dannenberg, Daniele and A.B. Spellman with two unidentified figures, at Jazz at Slugs, New York, 1964. Raymond Ross, photographer.**

The Mystery:

What: A group of six sits around a table, enjoying drinks and good company

Where: Jazz at Slugs, in New York

MYSTERY SOLVED: The Mystery of Ad Reinhardt, Barnett Newman, William Congdon, Betty Parsons, and others, circa 1960

A group of people posing for a photo, gathered around a table at a formal occasion — **Ad Reinhardt, Barnett Newman, William Congdon, Betty Parsons, and others, circa 1960. Photographer unknown. Betty Parsons Gallery records and personal papers.**

The Mystery:

What: This group of artists and artistic figures gathers for a formal occasion.

Where: unknown (the walls may help identify this)

When: circa 1960

MYSTERY SOLVED: The Mystery of Alma Thomas with an unidentified woman at the Whitney Museum of American Art, 1972

Two women stand smiling and looking at something. — **Alma Thomas with an unidentified woman at the Whitney Museum of American Art, 1972. Jack Whitten, photographer. Alma Thomas papers.**

The Mystery:

What: They are at an exhibit opening of Thomas' retrospective

Where: Whitney Museum of American Art

When: 1972

Who: Unidentified woman (left) and Alma Thomas (right)

Help us solve the mystery: Who is this unidentified woman with Alma Thomas at her opening?

MYSTERY SOLVED: The Mystery of Betty Parsons with an unidentified woman, circa 1977

Betty Parsons with an unidentified woman, circa 1977. Photographer unknown. Calvert Coggeshall papers.

The Mystery:

What: The two women appear to be in an art gallery, looking at a piece.

Where: Unknown

When: circa 1977

Who: Betty Parsons (right) and unidentified woman (left)

Help us solve the mystery: Who is this unidentified woman appreciating art with Betty Parsons?

MYSTERY SOLVED: The Mystery of John Storrs and unidentified woman, circa 1906

A man and a woman sit on a bed, leaning against the wall in front of floral wallpaper. The man (R) is looking at the woman (L) and is smoking a pipe. — **John Storrs and unidentified woman, circa 1906. Photographer unknown. John Henry Bradley Storrs papers.**

The Mystery:

What: A woman and a man lounging with each other

When: circa 1906

Who: John Storrs (right) and unidentified woman (left)

MYSTERY SOLVED: The Mystery of Carl Holty, Joan Miro, and others at tea, circa 1947

Four men and one woman sit at a table, drinking tea and talking in an artist's studio. — **Photograph of Carl Holty, Joan Miró, Dolores Miró, and others at tea, circa 1947. Carl Holty papers, circa 1860s-1972.**

MYSTERY SOLVED: The Mystery of Karl Priebe, Dudley Huppler, and unidentified woman, circa 1945

Two black and white photographs side by side of two men and a woman gathering around a statue — **Karl Priebe, Dudley Huppler, and unidentified woman, circa 1945. Photographer unknown. Gertrude Abercrombie papers.**

The Mystery:

How to Get In Touch:

If you have leads, clues, or ideas of who the unknown individuals may be , email us at AAAMysteries@si.edu. Your email should include:

Your first and last name
Your organization, if applicable
Your preferred mode of contact, should we need to reach you (e.g. email address or phone number)
The photo name (for which you are identifying the unknown individual)
The name of the individual you believe is the unidentifiable figure in the photo or any information you may have that could help us identify the individual
Your level of certainty in the information you provided

Also Available on Social Media:

Washington D.C. Headquarters and Research Center

New York Research Center

Affiliated Research Centers

Mysteries of the Archives of American Art

Project Overview:

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Also Available on Social Media:

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Research Center Hours

New York Research Center Hours

Washington D.C. Headquarters and Research Center

New York Research Center

Affiliated Research Centers

Mysteries of the Archives of American Art

Project Overview:

How to Get In Touch:

Also Available on Social Media:

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Get Involved

Archives of American Art in the Smithsonian Transcription Center

Terra Foundation Center for Digital Collections