The
Smithsonian Libraries is pleased to announce the donation of research ephemera
for more than 8,000 artists from the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., to be housed at the
Smithsonian American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery (AA/PG) Library.
The Smithsonian AA/PG Library recently acquired the Artist Vertical File collection from the Trustees of the Corcoran,
which encompasses a large collection of ephemera related to artists, with particular strength in Washington D.C.-based artists and those who worked during the Works Progress Administration (WPA) program.
The ephemera was collected by the Corcoran Gallery of Art between 1900 and 1980, and includes clippings, catalogs, small brochures, and photographs of artists and artworks.
This type of material is especially useful for documenting the early careers of well-known artists, as well as an important resource for lesser-known artists that may not have had more than local or regional prominence. The Corcoran’s Artist Vertical File
will join the Smithsonian’s existing Art and Artist File collection, which is indexed in the online Art
and Artist Files database and provides scholars and the general public with a listing of artists and art subjects.
The Art and Artist Files in the Smithsonian Libraries are a special and unique collection serving as an important source of information that may not be found anywhere else,
with more than 150,000 files of material are spread between seven different branches. The AA/PG Library has been continuously collecting ephemera since the early part of the twentieth century, providing unique insight into the history of American art, collectors,
collections, museums, exhibitions, and galleries. The physical files contain ephemeral items such as exhibition announcements, newspaper clippings, exhibition invitations, pamphlets, and other published materials that were typically thrown away shortly after
production. Material may be consulted on site.
The Corcoran Gallery of Art opened to the public in 1874 established as a national collection of art for Washington D.C. with the aim of "encouraging American genius," as
stated in the museum's charter. In 2014, the Corcoran Gallery of Art was dissolved and the historic 17th Street building and the College of Art + Design was transferred to George Washington University and custody of the art collection bestowed to the National
Gallery of Art.
The AA/PG Library looks forward to bringing the Corcoran’s extensive, rich vertical file collection to a larger audience. The institution’s history is well-documented at
the AA/PG Library, and we are pleased to further enhance the Smithsonian’s Art and Artist Files with the Corcoran’s irreplaceable ephemeral collection.
Anne Evenhaugen
Librarian
Smithsonian American Art Museum/
National Portrait Gallery Library
202.633.8227
