Archives Directory for the History of Collecting in America

Armitage, Merle print view role Collector dates 1893-1975 city Pasadena state CA other cities Mason City, IA; New York, NY sex M historical notes Merle Armitage, born in 1893 in Mason City, Iowa, was a multifaceted individual whose life was intricately woven with the worlds of art, literature, and cultural promotion. From an early age, Armitage displayed a deep passion for art, which would become a lifelong pursuit. At the tender age of 12, he embarked on his journey as an art collector, using his weekly allowance to acquire drawings, lithographs, and etchings. Armitage played a pivotal role in the Los Angeles Grand Opera Association, serving as its general manager from 1924 to 1930. In the 1920s, he also became acquainted with iconic artists such as Pablo Picasso, Paul Klee, Wassily Kandinsky, and Marc Chagall, forming informal and private relationships with these luminaries. Armitage authored essays on art and curated catalogs for art exhibitions. His notable exhibitions in 1922 and 1929 showcased works by masters such as Rembrandt, Goya, James McNeill Whistler, Anders Zorn, Frank Brangwyn, and George Bellows. In 1932, Armitage ventured into the realm of literature and publishing, marking the beginning of a prolific career. He not only wrote and designed books but also produced them, with a remarkable portfolio of over 150 books to his name. His influence on the arts also found expression in his work as the president of the American Institute of Graphic Arts in 1950–51, where he helped shape the landscape of graphic design and visual communication. decades of activity 1910-1920 1920-1930 1930-1940 1940-1950 1950-1960 1960-1970 updated 10/31/2024 13:33:23 bibliographic search Search Frick Art Reference Library Catalog Search Photoarchive Search Worldcat Search Library of Congress Name Authority File (LCNAF) Search Virtual International Authority File (VIAF) Search Wikidata Entry Archives/Repository Collection Title Collection Details University of California, Los Angeles YRL Department of Special Collections Merle Armitage Collection 1919-1971 see details... University of Arizona Libraries, Special Collections University of Arizona Merle Armitage papers, 1930-1974 see details... Archives of American Art Victor Building, Suite 2200 Oral history interview with Merle Armitage, 1964 February 6 see details... The University of Iowa Special Collections Department Merle Armitage Papers see details... Yale University Library Manuscripts and Archives Kellogg-Dickie papers see details... Yale University Library Manuscripts and Archives Bruce Rogers collection see details... The Getty Research Institute Research Libraries, Archives and Special Collections Beaumont and Nancy Newhall papers see details... «  back