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Archives related to: Myers, John Bernard

titleJohn Bernard Myers interview, [ca. 1969].
repositoryArchives of American Art
descriptionInterview of John Myers conducted by Barbara Rose.

Bio / His Notes:
Art dealer; New York, N.Y.
extent1 sound tape ; 5 in. (29 p. transcript)
formatsSound Recording Transcript
accessUse requires an appointment.
record sourcehttp://www.siris.si.edu/
acquisition informationProvenance unknown.
updated03/16/2023 10:30:05
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titleWNYC Views on Art radio program interviews, 1967-1973.
repositoryArchives of American Art
description72 interviews of artists, art historians, administrators, curators, and others, conducted by Bowman for WNYC's "Views on Art" series.

Interviewees include Mario Amaya, Benny Andrews, Dore Ashton, Tracy Atkinson, Will Barnet, Gene Baro, John Baur (re: Lipman sculpture collection), Bernard Bothmer, Adelyn Breeskin (re: Mary Cassatt prints), James Brooks, J. Carter Brown, Mikhail Bruk, Nicolas Calas, Duncan Cameron, Chryssa, Rene D'Harnoncourt (re: Picasso sculpture exhibition), Rosa Esman, David Evans, Dan Flavin, Alfred Frankenstein, Tom Freudenheim (re: American art behind the iron curtain), Edward Fry, Henry Geldzahler, Inna Goncharova (re: U.S.S.R. exhibition),

Maurice Grosser, Peggy Guggenheim, George Hamilton, James Harithas (re: Prison Art), Thomas B. Hess (re: William De Kooning exhibition), John Hightower, Edward Hopper (4 min. on two paintings), Walter Hopps, Lita Hornick (re: Kulcher Press), Thomas Hoving, Robert Indiana, Wolf Kahn, Mrs. J.M. Kaplan, Alan Kaprow, Donald Karshan, Alex Katz, William King, Stan Kovan (co-interviewer of Fry), Max Kozloff, Edward Laning, Abram Lerner, Nicholas Marsicano, Garnett McCoy, John McKendry, Kynaston McShine (re: Gene Davis, Robert Irwin, and Richard Smith exhibition), Thomas Messer, Samuel Miller, Roy Moyer, John Bernard Myers, Konrad Oberhuber, Rafael Ortiz (re: El Museo del Barrio), Harry Parker, Beverley Pepper, Mrs. Marimar Quintana, S.Dillon Ripley, Robert Rosenblum, Sir John Rothenstein, William Rubin (re: Dada & Surrealism exhibition), Peter Selz, Roy Slade, Sylvia Sleigh, Leon Polk Smith, Hedda Sterne (re: exhibit at Betty Parsons Gallery), Betty Blayton Taylor, Dr. Joshua Taylor, Lisa Taylor, Ultra Violet, June C. Wayne (re: Tamarind Lithography Workshop), Monroe Wheeler, Carl Weinhardt, Ulfert Wilke, James Wines, William Woolfenden, and Mahonri Sharp Young (re: Morman paintings of C.C. Christiansen).

Biographical and Historical Note
Art historian; curator; New York, N.Y. Bowman received her M.A. at NYU, and later was guest curator at the Grey Art Gallery.
extent74 sound tape reels ; 7 in.
formatsSound Recording
accessUntranscribed (except for Baur); use requires an appointment.
record linkhttp://www.aaa.si.edu/collections/wnyc-views-art-radio-program-interviews-9579
record sourcehttp://www.siris.si.edu/
acquisition informationDonated 1989 by the Grey Art Gallery, New York University, at the request of Bowman, who had earlier deposited them at the Gallery.
updated11/12/2014 11:30:13
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titleJohn Bernard Myers papers, [circa 1940s]-1987 (bulk 1970-1987)
repositoryArchives of American Art
descriptionPrimarily writings and journals, also correspondence, printed matter, miscellaneous records, and photographs documenting Myers' work as a writer and critic. His work as a gallery director and art dealer is not documented through his personal papers.

Correspondence, mainly incoming letters, 1960-1987, are from colleagues, admirers, friends, and publishers, concerning professional and personal matters. Included are a series of letters from friend and English professor Guy Davenport, a contributor to "Parenthése," the magazine Myers published between 1975 and 1979; a file concerning an incident with critic John Canaday containing letters of complaint to the New York Times and Art

In America and an apology from Mr. Canaday; and correspondence concerning "Tracking the Marvelous," including letters from the publisher and editor, contracts, fan mail, and Myers' rebuttal to an unflattering review.
Writings, 1959-1987 and n.d., include manuscripts of published and unpublished books, articles and essays, and miscellaneous pieces by Myers.

Included are the manuscript of his autobiography, "Tracking the Marvelous;" "Knowing what I Like, Essays by John Bernard Myers," 1985 (unpublished); and "Forward and Backward-A Chronicle in Fragments and Episodes," ca. 1976, about Mark Rothko's suicide (published later as part three of "Tracking the Marvelous"). Among the articles and essays are "New York Letter," 1959, and "New York Painting since Surrealism".

Miscellaneous writings are book and exhibition reviews, poems, and notes on puppets. Diaries, 1969 and 1974-1983 (11 vols.) record Myers' experiences and reflections. Writings by other authors are poems; "Random Thoughts on the Gimmickists," an essay by Tibor de Nagy; and submissions to "Parenthese," a journal of words and pictures edited by Myers, ca. 1975-1979.

Printed matter, 1951-1987, by Myers includes his book, "Tracking the Marvelous;" exhibition catalogs and announcements, 1977-1987; articles, 1964-1983; and book and exhibition reviews, 1970-1975. Publications edited by him include "Semi-Colon," 1953-ca. 1956; "Parenthese," 1975, 1979, and proofs of an issue dated 1977. Other printed matter consists of exhibition catalogs; clippings about Leonid Berman, Grace Hartigan, Mark Rothko, and reviews of "Tracking the Marvelous."

Miscellaneous papers include artwork, consisting of collages by Arthur Cady, (illustrations for "Another Medici Child," by Myers), and original artwork for a Tibor de Nagy Gallery announcement of a Red Groom's exhibition featuring extension painting, ca. 1962; a resume, ca. 1980, and memorial pamphlets; transcripts of interviews conducted by Myers of Alexandra Anderson, Red Grooms, and Marisol, and an interview of Myers conducted by Alfred Sturdevant.

Records of the Southampton Artists' Theatre Festival (John Bernard Myers, Producer) consist of "Director's notes on Second Season, ATF," 1969, notes and music by Ann Sternberg for a 1969 production of the musical "Gertrude Stein's First Reader," and music from unidentified productions. Also, minutes and memoranda of the Ingram Merrill Foundation (John Bernard Myers, Secretary), 1983-1984.

Photographs, 1940s-1985, are of Myers and unidentified friends; color slides and transparencies of the interior of his home in Brewster, N.Y., 1978; puppets; and "St. George," a painting by Grace Hartigan.

Bio / His Notes:
Critic, editor, writer, art dealer; New York. N.Y. Born Buffalo, N.Y., 1919 or 20; d. 1987. Myers had llifelong interests in poetry, puppets, and painting.

He was a partner in the Tibor de Nagy Gallery, 1951-1970, and served as gallery director; went on to operate the John Bernard Myers Gallery, 1970-1975. He was managing editor of "View" magazine, 1944-1947, edited several poetry and art publications including "Semi-Colon" and "Parenthese," and wrote extensively on art. Myers' autobiography, "Tracking the Marvelous: A Life in the New York Art World," was published in 1984.
extent2.0 linear ft.
formatsBusiness Papers Personal Papers Correspondence Journals Photographs
accessUnmicrofilmed; use requires an appointment.
record sourcehttp://www.siris.si.edu/
finding aidElectronic finding aid available at http://www.aaa.si.edu/collections/findingaids/myerjohn.htm
acquisition informationDonated by the estate of Ricky Dale Horton, 1990. Loc. of Assoc. Material: Other material relating to John Bernard Myers in the Archives of American Art includes an interview with Myers conducted by Barbara Rose, circa 1969.
updated11/12/2014 11:30:13
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titleFairfield Porter papers, 1888-2001, bulk 1924-1975.
repositoryArchives of American Art
descriptionThe papers of New York-based painter, lithographer, art critic, and poet Fairfield Porter measure 8.2 linear feet and date from 1888 to 2001, with the bulk of material dating from 1924 to 1975.

The collection includes a biographical chronology; certificates, awards, and diplomas; letters to Fairfield and Anne Porter; scattered outgoing correspondence; and reviews, essays, notes, poems, and translations written by Porter and others.

Among the writings are poetry manuscripts written by several New York School Poets including Frank O'Hara, James Schuyler, and Kenneth Koch.

Also found are gallery records, inventories and appraisals, financial records, exhibition catalogs, clippings, posters, and records of Anne Porter's efforts to place his collection and document and publish his work after his death. Photographs of Porter, his homes, and his family are also present, as well as sketchbooks, loose sketches, and drawings spanning his entire career.

Significant correspondence is present from the Porters' many poet friends, including Kenneth Koch, James Schuyler, Ron Padgett, Kenward Elmslie, Barbara Guest, Carl Morse, David Shapiro, and others. Among the letters are poetry manuscripts by Koch, Morse, Schuyler, Padgett, and Shapiro. Some letters are actually written in verse, especially those from Kenneth Koch.

Artists with letters in the collection include Joe Brainard, Rudy Burkhardt, John Button, Lucien Day, Rackstraw Downes, Philip Evergood, Jane Frielicher, Arthur Giardelli, Leon Hartl, Alex Katz, Edward Laning, Roy Lichtenstein, Larry Rivers, Richard Stankiewicz,

Nicolas Vasilieff, among others. Other art world figures represented include John Bernard Myers, curator at the Tibor de Nagy gallery (New York), and Tom Hess, editor of ArtNews. Artwork found within the correspondence includes an illustrated letter from Ron Padgett and an original print on a holiday card by Edith Schloss.

Loc. of Assoc. Material:
The Archives of American Art holds an oral history of Fairfield Porter conducted by Paul Cummings in 1968.

Cite as:
Fairfield Porter papers, 1888-2001 (bulk 1924-1975). Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.

Funding Note:
Funding for the processing and digitization of this collection was provided by the Terra Foundation for American Art.
extent8.2 linear ft.
formatsCorrespondence Ephemera Writings Sketchbooks Sketches
accessUse of original papers requires an appointment.
record linkhttp://www.aaa.si.edu/collectionsonline/portfair/
record sourcehttp://www.siris.si.edu/
finding aidhttp://www.aaa.si.edu/collectionsonline/portfair/
acquisition informationDonated 1977-1997 by Anne Porter, Porter's widow. Location of Original: Before donating the papers to the Archives, Anne Porter returned letters from Frank O'Hara to Fairfield Porter to the O'Hara estate. Letters from John Ashbery to Fairfield Porter were returned to Ashbery, and photocopies have been placed in the collection.
updated11/12/2014 11:30:13
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titleLeslie P. Symington material relating to John Bernard Myers, 1960s-1987.
repositoryArchives of American Art
descriptionAn obituary of Myers, and a program from his memorial service; and artists’ files from the John Bernard Myers Gallery on Victoria Barr, Elaine Lustig Cohen, John Gunelfinger and Margot Stewart.



extent0.2 linear ft.
formatsArtist Files Clippings Ephemera
accessUse requires an appointment and is limited to AAA's Washington, DC office.
record sourcehttp://www.siris.si.edu/
acquisition informationDonated 2002 by Leslie P. Symington, a friend and neighbor of John Bernard Myers.
updated11/12/2014 11:30:13
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titleOral history interview with Tibor de Nagy, 1976 Mar. 29.
repositoryArchives of American Art
descriptionAn interview of Tibor de Nagy conducted 1976 Mar. 29, by Paul Cummings, for the Archives of American Art. de Nagy disusses his family and educational background;

his partnership with John Myers; exhibitions by Carl Andre, Helen Frankenthaler, Jane Freilicher, Grace Hartigan, Constantino Nivola, and Larry Rivers at the Tibor de Nagy Gallery; the gallery's clientele including Leo Castelli, Frank O'Hara, Alex Bates, Thomas Hess, and others.

De Nagy also speaks of his relationship with museum curators and changes in the art market during the 1950s.
extentSound recording: 1 sound tape reel ; 5 in. Transcript: 41 p.
formatsSound Recording Transcript
accessTranscript available on the Archives of American Art website.
record sourcehttp://www.siris.si.edu/
acquisition informationThis interview is part of the Archives' Oral History Program, started in 1958 to document the history of the visual arts in the United States, primarily through interviews with artists, historians, dealers, critics and others.
updated11/12/2014 11:30:13
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titleOral history interview with Larry Aldrich, 1972 Apr. 25-June 10.
repositoryArchives of American Art
descriptionInterview of Larry Aldrich conducted 1972 Apr. 25-June 10, by Paul Cummings, for the Archives of American Art.

Aldrich speaks of his acquisitions and his program for selling art at Christmas and praises William S. Lieberman as "the curator of collectors". He discusses funds given to museums by the Larry Aldrich Foundation; visits to artists' studios; exhibiting a portion of his collection for the first time at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond, Va., exhibitions at the Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art; Robert Indiana's "Love Series";

and modern movements including "Lyrical Abstraction" and "Cool Art." He recalls Stephen Antonakos, Richard Brown Baker, Alfred H. Barr, Jr., Leo Castelli, Grace Hartigan, Budd Hopkins, Jasper Johns, John Myers, Dorothy Miller, Robert Rauschenberg, Frank Stella, Robert Smithson and others.

Bio / His Notes:
Larry Aldrich (1906-2001) was an art collector from New York, N.Y.
extentSound recording: sound tape reels ; 5 in. Transcript: 385 p.
formatsSound Recording Transcript Online Transcript
accessTranscript available on the Archives of American Art website.
record linkhttp://www.aaa.si.edu/collections/oralhistories/transcripts/aldric72.htm
record sourcehttp://www.siris.si.edu/
finding aidOnline Transcript: http://www.aaa.si.edu/collections/oralhistories/transcripts/aldric72.htm
acquisition informationThese interviews are part of the Archives of American Art Oral History Program, started in 1958 to document the history of the visual arts in the United States, primarily through interviews with artists, historians, dealers, critics and others.
updated11/12/2014 11:30:13
....................................................................