Collections : [Virginia Museum of Fine Arts]

Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

VMFA Archives
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
Margaret R. and Robert M. Freeman Library
200 N. Arthur Ashe Boulevard
Richmond, VA 23220-4007
Primary Collecting Areas:
VMFA institutional records, Donor papers, Virginia Artists Archives, Oral histories, Artist subject files, Analog, and digital audiovisual collections
Description:

The Margaret R. and Robert M. Freeman Library provides access to a wealth of rare and unique primary source materials for scholars, researchers, and the public.

The Archives consists of a diverse and growing collection of permanent materials, covering museum history from its beginnings in the 1930s until today. The Archives includes institutional records from over 25 museum departments, thousands of artist and subject files, as well as donated collections related to the museum and the history of art in Virginia. The Archives also recently launched the Virginia Artists Archives, a collecting initiative that aims to create a rich, diverse, and unprecedented collection of Virginia artists’ papers to increase awareness about the contributions of Virginia artists, both past and present.

POC: Roxanne Winfield
Phone: (804) 340-1497
Phone: (804) 340-1495
Start Over Repository Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Date range 1961

Carnegie: Dunfermline Trust, 1955/1961 Box 33863 Box 18, Folder 20, Item RG01.01.1.0709

Correspondence from L. Cheek to Secretary of Carnegie Dunfermline Trust. Subject- Roster of Carnegie Delegation visiting VMFA; Annual Report- Carnegie Dunfermline Trustees, 1960. Dates- 7/59-60 [These notes were taken by VMFA staff in the 1990s before the collection was processed by LVA staff in the 2000s, so the contents of the file may no longer match this description.]

  1. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
  2. Director's Correspondence (RG-01), 1927/2009
  3. Series 1: Director's Correspondence, 1927/2006
  4. Series 1.1: Early Directors, 1927/1976

Catalogs (PB-01), 1936/2020 63.25 Linear Feet 2,453 items

Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
The collection is part of the Publications Archive, and is comprised of archival copies of all catalogs published by the museum, as well as catalogs for exhibitions that were shown at the museum, but produced by other institutions. Other catalogs highlight particular aspects of the museum's permanent collection.
  1. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

Catalogue: 25th Anniversary, 1961 Box 33863 Box 18, Folder 22, Item RG01.01.1.0711

Correspondence from L. Cheek. Subject- Lists of 25th Anniversary donors; VMFA presidents and terms of office 1935-60. Essay- " The Arts In Virginia", Walter S. Robertson (Pres. VMFA). Essay- "Collecting In America", Alfred Frankfurter (editor and Pres., Art News) Dates- 1/61 [These notes were taken by VMFA staff in the 1990s before the collection was processed by LVA staff in the 2000s, so the contents of the file may no longer match this description.]

  1. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
  2. Director's Correspondence (RG-01), 1927/2009
  3. Series 1: Director's Correspondence, 1927/2006
  4. Series 1.1: Early Directors, 1927/1976

Cheek, Leslie, 1960/1970 Box 33863 Box 19, Folder 14, Item RG01.01.1.0757

Correspondence from L. Cheek and J.M. Brown. Subject- The retirement of L. Cheek, Trustee dinner honoring the occasion, presentation of "Thomas Jefferson Public Service Award", with remarks by Lt. Gov. F.G. Pollard; South Wing construction; invitations and newspaper interview with L. Cheek. Dates- 1/65-3/69 [These notes were taken by VMFA staff in the 1990s before the collection was processed by LVA staff in the 2000s, so the contents of the file may no longer match this description.]

  1. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
  2. Director's Correspondence (RG-01), 1927/2009
  3. Series 1: Director's Correspondence, 1927/2006
  4. Series 1.1: Early Directors, 1927/1976

Children looking at Fabergé egg pendant, 1955/1965 1 item Binder SC-07 Photo Archives, Page Unknown, Item SC07.PH.11.001

Description: A young girl dangles a Fabergé miniature Easter egg pendant on a chain over a table while a young boy touches the egg with his index finger. In the 1950s and 1960s, the museum regularly set up publicity shots with children that allowed them to take a closer look at (and often touch!) the Fabergé artworks.

  1. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
  2. Lillian Thomas Pratt Personal Papers (SC-07), 1901/1947
  3. Series 5: Museum Records, 1901/1947
  4. Photographic Archives

Children looking at Fabergé imperial eggs, 1955/1965 1 item Binder SC-07 Photo Archives, Page Unknown, Item SC07.PH.13.001

Description: Two young children stare at three Fabergé eggs, including the Imperial Tsarevich Easter Egg and Imperial Easter Egg with Revolving Miniatures, which are all set on a pedestal at eye level inches away from their faces. In the 1950s and 1960s, the museum regularly set up publicity shots with children that allowed them to take a closer look at (and often touch!) the Fabergé artworks.

  1. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
  2. Lillian Thomas Pratt Personal Papers (SC-07), 1901/1947
  3. Series 5: Museum Records, 1901/1947
  4. Photographic Archives

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