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

Exhibitions: Mellon Collection - Basil Taylor Correspondence, 1961/1963 Box 33863 Box 29, Folder 35, Item RG01.01.1.1294

Correspondence from L. Cheek and Paul Mellon. Subject- Mellon English Painting Collection, early discussion concerning the scope and preparation of catalog and exhibition. "Letter from Basil Taylor Dated-23 January 1963 re: Mellon Show", letter of disgruntlement over the various stages of the Mellon catalog. Dates- 1963 [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

Exhibitions: Mellon Collection of British Painting, 1961/1963 Box 33863 Box 29, Folder 34, Item RG01.01.1.1292

Correspondence from L. Cheek, J. Baskett and P. Mellon. Subject- List of paintings from Mellon Collection. Gallery preparation, storage, costs, opening festivities, interpretation of exhibition, letters to print media. Press release, newspaper clippings. Lecturers: W.G. Constable, John Baskett and Basil Taylor. Essay- "Painting In England, 1700-1850". Dates- 8/62 - 9/63 [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

Exhibitions: Michelangelo, 1961 Box 33863 Box 29, Folder 42, Item RG01.01.1.1304

Correspondence from L. Cheek. Subject- Full color photographic reproduction of the "Sistine Chapel", exhibition circulated by LIFE magazine. Dates- 1961 [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

Exhibitions: Modern Mosaics, 1954/1961 Box 33863 Box 29, Folder 44, Item RG01.01.1.1306

Correspondence from L. Cheek. Subject- Demonstration of mosaic technique using contemporary materials. Dates- 5/54 - 9/61 [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

Exhibitions Photo Archives, 1936/2010 52 Linear Feet 210 binders

Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
This collection documents the visual history of various VMFA exhibitions for the years 1936-2010, comprising photographic prints, slides, programs, and related ephemera.
  1. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

Exhibitions: Primitive African Exhibition, 1961 Box 33863 Box 30, Folder 8, Item RG01.01.1.1326

Correspondence from L. Cheek. Subject- African collection from the Olsen Foundation. Dates- 1961 [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

Exhibitions: Sport and the Horse, 1955/1962 Box 33863 Box 30, Folder 28, Item RG01.01.1.1347

Correspondence from L. Cheek, Paul Mellon (Exhibition Chair) and Wm. Constable. Subject- requests for loans, French and British sponsors of exhibition including Queen Elizabeth, Honorary Committee Members, Patrons, catalog, PR, object damage report. Basil Taylor as special advisor to exhibition. Dates- 7/58 - 3/60 [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

Exhibitions: Sport and the Horse - Basil Taylor, 1959/1961 Box 33863 Box 30, Folder 30, Item RG01.01.1.1349

Correspondence from L. Cheek. Subject- Consultation on exhibition proceedings, travel and lecture schedule, biographical data and text for introduction to the catalog. Dates- 4/60 - 7/61 [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

Exhibitions: Sport and the Horse - Extracts from Mr. Cheek's Files, 1959/1963 Box 33863 Box 30, Folder 35, Item RG01.01.1.1354

Subject- List of British sponsors, loans, selection committee. Dates- 1959 [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

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