Archives Directory for the History of Collecting in America
Archives related to: Castelli, Leo
| title | Oral history interview with Leo Castelli, 1997 May 22. | repository | Archives of American Art |
| description | Interview with Leo Castelli at his home in N.Y., conducted 1997 May 22 by Andrew Decker for the Archives of American Art, covering the most recent years of the dealer's work. |
| extent | Sound recording: 2 sound cassettes (ca. 3 hr.) Transcript: 44 p. |
| formats | Sound Recording Transcript Online Transcript |
| access | Contact repository for restrictions and policies. |
| record source | http://www.siris.si.edu/ |
| finding aid | Online Transcript |
| acquisition information | Part of the Archives of American Art Oral History Program, started in 1958. |
| updated | 03/16/2023 10:29:50 |
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| title | Oral history interview with Leo Castelli, 1969 July. | repository | Archives of American Art |
| description | An interview of Leo Castelli conducted 1969 July, by Barbara Rose for the Archives of American Art. Castelli speaks of his first gallery with Rene Drouin, 1939; the Surrealists; the post-World War II art scene in New York City; the influence of Willem de Kooning, Arshile Gorky, Franz Kline, and Jackson Pollock; The Club; the Ninth Street Show, 1951; Clement Greenberg and French and Co.; and art movements. He recalls Peggy Guggenheim, Sidney Janis, and Julien Levy. |
| extent | Sound recordings: 1 sound tape reel ; 5 in. Transcript: 11 p. (on partial microfilm reel) reel 4777 |
| formats | Sound Recording Transcript Online Transcript Microfilm |
| access | Contact repository for restrictions and policies. |
| record source | http://www.siris.si.edu/ |
| finding aid | Online Transcript |
| acquisition information | Part of the Archives of American Art Oral History Program, started in 1958. |
| updated | 11/12/2014 11:29:49 |
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| title | Oral history interview with Leo Castelli, 1969 May 14 - 1973 June 8. | repository | Archives of American Art |
| description | Interview of Leo Castelli conducted 1969 May 14 - 1973 June 8, by Paul Cummings for the Archives of American Art. Castelli speaks of his background; fleeing Europe, 1940-1941; his U.S. Army service; The Club; establishing his New York galleries; his first wife, Ileana Sonnabend, and her success as an art dealer; galleries in the 1940s and 1950s; his staff; prints; commissioned works; exhibitions and sales of works by Dan Flavin, Jasper Johns, Roy Lichtenstein, Bruce Nauman, Robert Rauschenberg, Richard Serra, Frank Stella, and others; collectors including Philip Cortelyou Johnson, Vera G. List, Peter Ludwig, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Scull, and Mr. and Mrs. Burton Tremaine. Castelli recalls Alfred H. Barr, Richard Bellamy, John Cage, René Drouin, Ivan C. Karp, and Alan Robert Solomon. |
| extent | Sound recordings: 3 sound tape reels ; 7 in. Sound recordings: 5 sound tape reels ; 5 in. Transcript: 266 p. |
| formats | Sound Recording Transcript Online Transcript |
| access | Contact repository for restrictions and policies. |
| record source | http://www.siris.si.edu/ |
| finding aid | Online Transcript |
| acquisition information | Part of the Archives of American Art Oral History Program, started in 1958. |
| updated | 11/12/2014 11:29:49 |
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| title | Oral history, Leo Castelli, 1991 | repository | The Museum of Modern Art |
| description | Museum of Modern Art (New York, N.Y.). Museum of Modern Art Oral History Project, 1990-1994. Castelli discusses his background in Europe and early experiences in the art market. He describes his first visit to The Museum of Modern Art and the relationship that developed after World War II between his gallery, the Museum, and Alfred H. Barr, Jr., Director of Museum Collections (1947-67). Castelli recalls the first Jasper Johns show that took place at his gallery in January 1958, and Barr’s enthusiastic response to it. He covers the Pop Art, Minimalist and Conceptual periods, and discusses in detail the Painting and Sculpture Department under the direction of Barr (1929-47), William S. Rubin (1973-88), and Kirk Varnedoe (1988 to present) and its association with his gallery. Location MoMA Museum Archives |
| extent | 1 transcript. (76 p.) 3 sound cassettes. |
| formats | Sound Recording Transcript |
| access | Transcripts available to qualified users by appointment at The Museum of Modern Art Archives and Rockefeller Archive Center. Transcripts with interviewee’s notes are not available. |
| record source | https://library.nyarc.org/permalink/01NYA_INST/ai54l4/alma991009762499707141 |
| acquisition information | 1992 Oral History project, Interview with Leo Castelli Leo Castelli gift |
| updated | 11/29/2022 15:49:50 |
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| title | Artist file: Castelli, Leo; miscellaneous uncataloged material. | repository | The Museum of Modern Art |
| description | The folder may include announcements, clippings, press releases, brochures, reviews, invitations, small exhibition catalogs, and other ephemeral material. Location MoMA Queens Artist Files Call Number Castelli, Leo |
| extent | 1 folder |
| formats | Announcements Clippings Invitations Ephemera |
| access | Artist files--QNS |
| record source | https://library.nyarc.org/permalink/01NYA_INST/ai54l4/alma991010534159707141 |
| updated | 11/29/2022 15:49:50 |
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| title | Reminiscences of Leo Castelli : oral history, 1977. | repository | Columbia University Libraries |
| description | Early life and family; career in insurance and banking; Galerie Drouin, Paris, 1939; escape from occupied France to United States, 1941; years in U.S. Army; first experiences with collecting; studies in economic history, Columbia University; origins of New York gallery. |
| extent | Transcript: 65 leaves. Tape: 1 reel. |
| formats | Transcript Sound Recording |
| access | Open. |
| record source | http://clio.cul.columbia.edu |
| acquisition information | In: New York’s art world project. |
| updated | 11/12/2014 11:29:53 |
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| title | Reminiscences of Leo Castelli and Roy Lichtenstein: oral history, 1976. | repository | Columbia University Libraries |
| description | Interviewed by Barbaralee Diamonstein. Forms part of: New York’s art world project. |
| extent | Transcript: 50 leaves; Tape: 1 reel. |
| formats | Transcript Sound Recording |
| access | Open. |
| record source | http://clio.cul.columbia.edu |
| finding aid | Name index available. |
| acquisition information | In : New York’s art world project. |
| updated | 11/12/2014 11:29:53 |
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| title | Reminiscences of Leo Castelli and James Rosenquist : oral history, 1978. | repository | Columbia University Libraries |
| description | Interviewed by Barbaralee Diamonstein. Forms part of: New York’s art world project. |
| extent | Transcript: 45 leaves; Tape: 1 reel. |
| formats | Transcript Sound Recording |
| access | Open. |
| record source | http://clio.cul.columbia.edu |
| finding aid | Name index available. |
| acquisition information | In : New York’s art world project. |
| updated | 11/12/2014 11:29:53 |
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| title | Archives pamphlet file : Castelli, Leo : miscellaneous uncataloged material. | repository | The Museum of Modern Art |
| description | The folder may include clippings, correspondence, memoranda, press releases, brochures, announcements, reviews, invitations, obituaries and other ephemeral material relevant to the Museum of Modern Art (New York, N.Y.) and its history. Location MoMA Manhattan Archives Pamphlet File Call Number Castelli, Leo |
| extent | 1 folder |
| formats | Ephemera |
| access | Contact repository for restrictions and policies. |
| record source | https://library.nyarc.org/permalink/01NYA_INST/ai54l4/alma991011778159707141 |
| updated | 11/29/2022 15:49:51 |
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| title | MoMA History Interviews | repository | The Museum of Modern Art |
| description | The collection consists of 47 taped interviews (contained on 28 standard audio cassettes). Many of the tapes contain interviews with multiple individuals. They are physically arranged alphabetically, by the last name of the first person interviewed on the tape. The cassettes have been numbered. Historical Note David Hoffman and his writing staff conducted interviews in 1986 with individuals either directly associated or intimately familiar with The Museum of Modern Art. The interviews were conducted in preparation for a television special to mark the Museum's 50th anniversary. The program was canceled prior to completion. |
| extent | 28 standard audio cassettes |
| formats | Sound Recording |
| access | The records are open for research and contain no restricted materials. |
| record source | http://www.moma.org/learn/resources/archives/ |
| acquisition information | Mr. Hoffman has signed all rights in the recordings over to the Museum. |
| updated | 11/12/2014 11:30:09 |
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| title | Leo Castelli Gallery records, circa 1880-2000, bulk 1957-1999. | repository | Archives of American Art |
| description | The Leo Castelli Gallery records measure 226 linear feet and date from circa 1880-2000, with the bulk of the materials dating from the gallery's founding in 1957 through Leo Castelli's death in 1999. The major influence of dealer Leo Castelli and his gallery on the development of mid-to-late twentieth century modern art in America is well-documented through business and scattered personal correspondence, administrative files, exhibition files, extensive artists' files and printed materials, posters, awards and recognitions, photographs, and audio and video recordings. Also included are records for the subsidiary firms of Castelli Graphics and Castelli/Sonnabend Tapes and Films. The records document the gallery's daily business operations, exhibitions, spaces/buildings, collaborations and joint ventures with other galleries and museums, and its relationship with many artists, dealers, and clients. Artists particularly well-represented throughout the collection include Hanne Darboven, Dan Flavin, Jasper Johns, Donald Judd, Roy Lichtenstein, Robert Morris, Bruce Nauman, Claes Oldenburg, Robert Rauschenberg, James Rosenquist, Richard Serra, Frank Stella, Andy Warhol, and Lawrence Weiner. Records pre-dating the gallery's establishment in 1957 are primarily newspaper and magazine clippings related to artists, personal photographs and photographs of works of art, and scattered personal business records of Leo Castelli. General Correspondence is extensive at circa 25 linear feet and consists primarily of the gallery's and Leo Castelli's named and subject correspondence files concerning the gallery's daily operations, exhibitions, artwork installation and fabrication, appraisals, inquiries, loans, sales, consignments, personal and business relationships with artists, and other topics. The general correspondence is arranged either by name of correspondent or topic, and is with museums and galleries, collectors, business associates, artists, employees, and friends. Notes, scattered photographs and slides, and printed materials are often found as enclosures. Leo Castelli's personal correspondence is also found here and consists primarily of solicitations, requests for advice, notes of thanks, congratulations, and invitations. Letters written by artists in the gallery's stable are somewhat limited. There are scattered letters from artists Christo, Chryssa, Nassos Daphnis, Hanne Darboven, Marisol, Dan Flavin, Jasper Johns, Frederick Kiesler, Robert Morris, Hans Namuth, Bruce Nauman, Nam June Paik, Ray Parker, James Rosenquist, Edward Ruscha, Salvatore Scarpitta, Frank Stella, Cy Twombly, and Jack Tworkov. There are also letters about artists in this series filed under the artists' name. Collectors and dealers represented within the correspondence include the De Menil family, Mrs. Henry Epstein, Ben Heller, Giuseppe Panza, Alan Power, John and Kimiko Powers, Robert and Carolyn Rowan, Robert and Ethel Scull, and Burton and Emily Tremaine. Museums and galleries for which there is considerable correspondence includes the Dwan Gallery, Ferus Gallery, the Jewish Museum, Museum of Modern Art, Sidney Janis Gallery, Stedelijk Museum, Whitney Museum of American Art, and the Ileana Sonnabend Galerie. The materials arranged in General Correspondence were originally marked by the gallery as "correspondence" files upon accessioning, and, are thus arranged into their own series. However, in some cases, there appears to be little difference between the General Correspondence and the Administrative Files. Thus, researchers are encouraged to reference both series. Administrative Files document a wide variety of the gallery's activities and business. Essentially, these are files that were arranged by the gallery according to subject or topic and cover almost all activities except specific exhibitions. These files include records and correspondence about buildings and space, advertising, appraisals, auctions, consignments, loans, miscellaneous business correspondence, index cards, business arrangements with artists, information about artists, interviews with artists (transcripts), history of the gallery, mailings, photograph requests, shipping, and other topics. There are staff notebooks and files and Leo Castelli's notebooks and notes from the late 1950s through the early 1990s. Extensive outgoing chronological correspondence filed in this series dates from 1964-1977. Also found are transcripts of interviews with Leo Castelli, biographical material, and scattered photographs. Researchers should note that the Administrative Files often overlap and complement the General Correspondence. However, they focus slightly more distinctly on gallery business activities and are arranged mostly by subject or topic, except for the chronological business correspondence. Researchers are encouraged to reference both series. For example, correspondence with and about Jasper Johns may be found in both series, but the administrative files most likely focus on a specific loan, consignment, or business activity or transaction. Exhibition files provide a thorough history of the gallery's exhibitions, as well as the fabrication and installation of artwork for exhibitions. These files include correspondence, exhibition catalogs, guest books, lists of exhibitions by artist and by year, press releases, sketches and notes, and scattered financial records. Photographs document over 650 exhibitions at Leo Castelli Gallery, including The Ninth Street Show organized by Castelli in 1951, and over 200 exhibitions at other galleries. Extensive artists' files comprise approximately 40% of the records and are a rich resource of printed and compiled information about the careers of over 120 artists and their relationship with Leo Castelli and the gallery. There are exhibition announcements and catalogs, flyers, invitations, magazine articles and clippings, newspaper clippings, posters, press releases, photographs, and a handful of books. Nearly half of the series is comprised of black and white photographs of artwork, presumably handled by the Leo Castelli Gallery. Additional printed materials include exhibition announcements, flyers, invitations, magazine articles and clippings, newspaper clippings, press releases, and exhibition posters. Exhibition catalogs are filed with the exhibitions files. The general archives files provide a chronological history of the gallery and its exhibitions. There are also files concerning Leo Castelli and numerous art-related topics. Exhibition posters are found here as well. Artwork is limited and includes a few works of art and signed posters. Artists represented here include photographer Gianfranco Gorgoni, Robert Morris, Bruce Nauman, Richard Serra and Andy Warhol, as well as others. The records of the subsidiary Castelli Graphics New York consist of correspondence and administrative files relating to general operations and the sale and loan of prints. Also found are exhibition files, sales records, and scattered financial records. The series provides a wealth of information about Castelli Graphics collaborations with Multiples Inc. in the 1970s. Also found in the collection are records of Castelli/Sonnabend Tapes and Films, a joint business venture between Leo Castelli Gallery and Sonnabend Gallery from 1974-1985. Records include correspondence, administrative files, exhibition files, artists' files, printed materials, sales and rental records, photographs, and financial records. The importance and stature of Leo Castelli and the Leo Castelli Gallery to the arts community in New York City and beyond is documented by numerous awards and recognitions, such as framed and unframed certificates, plaques, statues, medals, and scattered photographs. Nearly seven linear feet of photographs include professional black and white original prints, scattered color photographs, color transparencies, slides and negatives, and disassembled photo albums. The photographs primarily depict social and art events and functions; family and friends of Leo Castelli; and portraits of Leo Castelli and artists and of Leo Castelli with artists, including Richard Artschwager, Jasper Johns, Roy Lichtenstein, Bruce Nauman, Robert Rauschenberg, James Rosenquist, Salvatore Scarpitta, Richard Serra, Frank Stella, and Andy Warhol. Photographs of exhibitions and exhibition installations are filed with the exhibition files. Audio and video recordings include recordings done by artists, interviews with artists and Leo Castelli, recordings from and of exhibitions, and television programs recorded primarily on cassette tapes, albums, VHS tapes, and 3 4" U-Matic tapes. Artists represented include Robert Barry, Barbara Bloom, Hanne Darboven, Dan Flavin, Jasper Johns, Jeff Koons, Roy Lichtenstein, Bruce Nauman, Claes Oldenburg, Robert Rauschenberg, James Rosenquist, Doug and Mike Starn, and Lawrence Weiner, among others. Bio / His Notes: Leo Castelli Gallery (est. 1957) art gallery, New York, N.Y. Leo Castelli (1907-1999), founder of Leo Castelli Gallery, New York, N.Y. He established the Leo Castelli Gallery in 1957, recognizing that important cultural changes were occuring in America and that a new form of art would derive from Abstract Expressionism which was in its heyday. The first two artists he signed up were Jasper Johns and Robert Rauschenberg, both transitional figures in the move from Abstract Expressionism to Pop Art. Castelli became known as one of the greatest salesmen in the art market and an avid supporter of contemporary art movements. |
| extent | 226.0 linear feet |
| formats | Business Papers Administrative Records Correspondence Exhibition Files Artist Files |
| access | Patrons must use microfilm copy. |
| record link | https://sirismm.si.edu/EADpdfs/AAA.leocast.pdf |
| record source | https://www.aaa.si.edu/collections/leo-castelli-gallery-records-7351 |
| finding aid | online and in repository |
| acquisition information | Lent for microfilming 1968 by Leo Castelli Gallery. |
| updated | 09/12/2019 16:36:04 |
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