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Painting & Theory Diaries

Archives of American Art

Object Details

Collection Creator
Bluemner, Oscar, 1867-1938
See more items in
Oscar Bluemner papers
Sponsor
Funding for the processing and digitization of this collection was provided by the Terra Foundation for American Art.
Extent
1.2 Linear feet (Box 1-2, 7)
Date
1911-1936
Archival Repository
Archives of American Art
Identifier
AAA.blueosca, Series 3
Type
Archival materials
Collection Citation
Oscar Bluemner papers, 1886-1960. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.
Arrangement note
Diaries are arranged chronologically. Most of the diaries are preceded by a large manilla envelope, originally containing the diary, on which Bluemner wrote the subject of the diary, dates, and additional notes. Some of the envelopes were separated at an earlier date and are not matched to any particular diary. Portions of the diaries are not numbered and every attempt has been made to keep the pages in Bluemner's original order. Additional writings are found in Series 4: Writings & Notes. The diaries have been separated because of their special designation by Bluemner. In reality, there is little difference between the "diaries" and some of the additional writings in the other series.
Collection Rights
The Archives of American Art makes its archival collections available for non-commercial, educational and personal use unless restricted by copyright and/or donor restrictions, including but not limited to access and publication restrictions. AAA makes no representations concerning such rights and restrictions and it is the user's responsibility to determine whether rights or restrictions exist and to obtain any necessary permission to access, use, reproduce and publish the collections. Please refer to the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for additional information.
Existence and Location of Copies
This series has been scanned in its entirety.
Scope and Contents note
This series contains writings by Bluemner which he called "Painting Diaries" and "Theory Diaries". All of the diaries dated after 1918 are unbound and consist of loose pages of notes which were often compiled by Bluemner into "diaries" at a later date. Diaries contain very little discussion Bluemner's everyday life. Portions of the diaries are written in German. The Painting Diaries generally contain notes on Bluemner's newly-finished paintings or current work. The notes are illustrated and include technical discussions of his work. Bluemner's Theory Diaries include notes on art theory, such as color, form, line, and space. Many are illustrated in color. They address what he referred to as the painting "problem." The Theory Diaries date only from 1919 to 1925. Additional similar writings dating after 1925 are found in Series 4: Writings & Notes.
Collection Restrictions
The collection has been digitized and is available online via AAA's website.
Related link
Record ID
ebl-1503511357168-1503511357182-8
Metadata Usage
CC0
GUID
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/mw9e15ee7f1-dfba-4899-80c0-7a194f510162

Related Content

  • Oscar Bluemner papers

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