Archives Directory for the History of Collecting in America
Archives related to: Bergen, D. Thomas
| title | Jacob Kainen papers, 1905-2003 (bulk 1940-2001). |
| repository | Archives of American Art |
| description | The Jacob Kainen papers date from 1905 to 2003 (bulk 1940-2001), and measure 17 linear feet. The collection consists primarily of personal correspondence to and from friends and family members and professional correspondence concerning Kainen's activities as an artist, curator, teacher and art collector. The collection also contains biographical material, writings, diaries, inventories, transcripts, printed material, photographs, works of art by other artists, and a videocassette. Biographical materials include items concerning Kainen's career as a curator and artist, in addition to a useful bibliography, detailed biographical outline, and a copy of an FBI report compiled on him. Correspondence/Subject files comprise the bulk of the collection and contain correspondence to and from both Jacob and Ruth Kainen's family members and friends concerning personal and professional matters. A historical as well as personal context for Jacob Kainen is established through his correspondence with several leading artists, critics, and curators of the time. The variety of correspondents within the series reflects Kainen's diverse experiences as an artist, teacher, curator, and collector. A substantial portion of the correspondence consists of letters specifically addressed to and written solely by Ruth Kainen. Writings include materials written by and about Jacob Kainen. Kainen's formal and more scholarly articles and lectures are included with his short stories and poems dating from the 1930s through the 1990s. The series also includes several statements Kainen made regarding his artistic motivations and justifications. Dairies include both Jacob and Ruth Kainen's diary entries with Jacob Kainen's diaries dating mostly from the 1950s and 1960s and Ruth Kainen's entries covering more recent events from the 1970s though the 1990s. Also found are calendars, including daily calendars and travel itineraries from 1972 through 2001. Transcripts of informal conversations with and formal interviews of Jacob Kainen constitute the next series and include interviews with reporters and critics, and conversations with friends and fellow artists. Many of the interviews and conversations contain comments from Ruth Kainen as well as Jacob Kainen. Also found are inventories of paintings by Jacob Kainen that were sold, missing, or unsold along with color photographs of some of Kainen's paintings. Printed materials include Kainen's exhibition catalogs and announcements, clippings of articles by and about Jacob Kainen, and an exhibition guestbook. A substantial number of photographs are contained in the papers including those of Kainen with his family and friends, at exhibition openings, and working in his studios. Works of art by others includes handmade greeting cards, limited edition prints, and portfolios given to Jacob Kainen. The final item in the collection is a videocassette about the artist Martin Ries. Related Materials: The Archives of American Art contains a sound recording and microfilmed transcript of Avis Berman's interview with Jacob Kainen for the Archives of American Art's "Mark Rothko and His Times" oral history project (reel 4937). Microfilm copies of Bertha Kainen's correspondence from 1993 to 1994 regarding Avis Berman's essay about Jacob Kainen are also available at the Archives of American Art (reel 5030). Separated Material Materials loaned by Jacob and Ruth Kainen from 1973 to 1981 are available on microfilm reels 565, 2147-2149, and 2200. See Appendix A for an inventory of the contents of the microfilm reels. |
| extent | 17 linear feet |
| formats | Correspondence Diaries Inventories Photographs Ephemera |
| access | The collection is open for research. Microfilmed portion must be consulted on microfilm. Use of unmicrofilmed portion requires an appointment and is limited to the Washington, D.C. research facility. |
| record link | https://sirismm.si.edu/EADpdfs/AAA.kainjaco.pdf |
| record source | https://www.aaa.si.edu/collections/jacob-kainen-papers-9025 |
| finding aid | Online and in repository. |
| acquisition information | Correspondence, writings, and printed materials were lent to the Archives of American Art from 1973 to 1981 by Jacob and Ruth Kainen to be microfilmed and then returned after microfilming. Additional papers were donated to the Archives of American Art by Jacob and Ruth Kainen in several accessions from 1981 to 2000. Much of the original loaned materials were subsequently donated. Mrs. Ruth Kainen donated additional materials in 2003. On March 6, 2003 eight photographs of Jacob and Ruth Kainen were transferred from the National Portrait Gallery to the Archives of American Art. |
| updated | 02/14/2025 10:07:33 |
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