VMFA_EAD_SC42Near, Pinkney and Henrietta (SC-42)Finding Aids to the Special Collections in the VMFA Archives | Pinkney Near Personal Papers and Henrietta Near Artist Archives SC-42Special Collection 42 (SC-42)Emily Johnson, Archivist; Kate Kaluzny, Photo ArchivistVirginia Museum of Fine Arts Archives

2024

Margaret R. and Robert M. Freeman Library200 N. Arthur Ashe BoulevardRichmond, VA 23220-4007Business Number: 804-340-1495library@vmfa.museumURL:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2024-03-12 07:00:51 -0400.Description is written in: English, Code for undetermined script script. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Archives Pinkney Near Personal Papers and Henrietta Near Artist Archives (SC-42) Near, Pinkney L., 1927-1990 Near, Henrietta. Near, Henrietta. SC-42 /repositories/2/resources/15984 2.5 Linear Feet 4 boxes; 27 folders 1873-2020 This collection documents the lives and careers of Pinkney Near, former curator of VMFA, and his wife, artist and art aficionado, Henrietta Near. English , Latin . SC-42 Box 1 SC-42 Box 2 SC-42 Box 3 SC-42 Box 4 SC-42 File 1 Biographical / Historical

Pinkney Longlois Near was born April 28, 1927, in Manhattan, New York. After graduating from St. Paul's School in 1944, Pinkney joined the U.S. Marine Corps., serving in the Pacific Theater during the Occupation of Japan from March 26, 1945-August 21, 1946. In 1950, Pinkney earned his Bachelor of Arts from Johns Hopkins University. On August 18, 1956, Pinkney married Henrietta. From 1954-1990, Pinkney served as a curator of VMFA, only leaving briefly to work as a curator at the Cincinnati Art Museum. Pinkney passed away August 29, 1990.

Henrietta Jane Near (née Lloyd) was born November 2, 1929, in Holyoke, Massachusetts. She first began exploring art in Hartford, Connecticut at the Hartford Art School. Henrietta graduated from Wellesley College in 1951 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art History and a minor in Studio Art. She taught silkscreen painting at VMFA from 1980-1989 before moving on to teach drawing and pastel at the Hand Workshop from 1990-1992. Henrietta was an involved participant in Richmond's local art scene, exhibiting her art at the 1708 Gallery, Artspace Gallery, and the Henry Street Gallery, among others. Her artwork can be found in the collections of Randolph-Macon College, Virginia Wesleyan College, University of Virginia Hospital, and the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, in addition to numerous private collections.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

 Conditions Governing Use

Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by copyright, beyond that allowed by fair use, requires the researcher to obtain permission of copyright holders.

 Preferred Citation

Pinkney Near Personal Papers and Henrietta Near Artist Archives (SC-42). Gift of Henrietta J. Near. VMFA Archives, Richmond, Virginia.

 Scope and Contents

The collection's inclusive dates are 1873-2020, with the bulk of the material dating from 1970-2000. The collection consists of correspondence, financial records, ephemera, newspaper articles, and photographic materials depicting the lives and careers of Pinkney and Henrietta Near, as well as papers from their respective families.

 Arrangement

The collection is organized into 4 series, and items are generally arranged chronologically within each series. Items with no date are generally placed at the end at each series.

Pinkney Near, 1916-2002 Henrietta Near, 1873-2020 Pinkney and Henrietta Near, 1962-1966 Artist Research Files, 1969-2011 Processing Information

In general, during processing, all publications are removed and added to the VMFA Library's holdings and original newspaper clippings are photocopied, with identifiers transferred, and then destroyed. Original folder titles are retained, when provided.

 Custodial History

The collection was packed and donated by Henrietta's estate in August 2023.

 Art museum curators. Women artists. Artists -- Virginia Near, Pinkney L., 1927-1990 Near, Henrietta. Near, Henrietta. Series 1: Pinkney NearSC-42-01/repositories/2/archival_objects/718213 boxes3 boxes; 11 folders1916-2002English, Latin.Scope and Contents

This series documents the life and career of Pinkney Near.

Sub-Series 1.1: Career FilesSC-42-01.1/repositories/2/archival_objects/718251958-2002English.VMFASC42.01.1.F01/repositories/2/archival_objects/718261958-2002SC-42 Box 1SC-42 Box 3SC-42 Box 4Scope and Contents

This file contains correspondence, newspaper clippings, ephemera, and a miniature medallion pertaining to Pinkney's time at the VMFA.

Cincinnati Art MuseumSC42.01.1.F02/repositories/2/archival_objects/718271963-1990SC-42 Box 1Scope and Contents

This file contains correspondence, newspaper clippings, and ephemera pertaining to Pinkney's time at the Cincinnati Art Museum.

Sub-Series 1.2: Personal PapersSC-42-01.2/repositories/2/archival_objects/718281916-1990English, Latin.Childhood and EducationSC42.01.2.F01/repositories/2/archival_objects/718291927-1956SC-42 Box 1SC-42 Box 3SC-42 Box 4Scope and Contents

This file contains a baby book, birth certificate, bibliography, diplomas, report cards, among other materials pertaining to Pinkney's early life and education.

Military Service RecordsSC42.01.2.F02/repositories/2/archival_objects/718301945-1946SC-42 Box 1SC-42 File 1Scope and Contents

This file contains papers and cards documenting Pinkney's time in the Marine Corps.

Separated Materials

A framed photograph of Pinkney in his military uniform has been stored separately from the rest of the collection.

Personal LifeSC42.01.2.F03/repositories/2/archival_objects/718311956-1990SC-42 Box 1Scope and Contents

This file contains ephemera, correspondence, and vital records pertaining to Pinkney's life.

Sub-Series 1.3: Near Family PapersSC-42-01.3/repositories/2/archival_objects/718321916-1983English.SC-42 Box 1Scope and Contents

This sub-series contains correspondence between Near family members, articles, and poetry written by Clifford Near, Pinkney's brother.

Series 2: Henrietta NearSC-42-02/repositories/2/archival_objects/718223 boxes3 boxes; 14 folders1873-2020English.Scope and Contents

This series documents the life and career of Henrietta Near.

Sub-Series 2.1: Career FilesSC-42-02.1/repositories/2/archival_objects/718331961-2016ArtSC42.02.1.F01/repositories/2/archival_objects/718341971-2016SC-42 Box 1SC-42 Box 4Scope and Contents

This file contains loan agreements, sale orders, correspondence, photographs, and articles pertaining to Henrietta's artwork.

Art OrganizationsSC42.02.1.F02/repositories/2/archival_objects/718351961-2015SC-42 Box 1Scope and Contents

This file contains correspondence, grant applications, meeting minutes, articles, and ephemera pertaining to Henrietta's work with various Richmond art organizations. Included are Art6 (2004-2015), ArtSpace (1990-2007), Hand Workshop (1991-1992), Henry Street Gallery (1987), Very Special Arts (1998-2000), and VMFA (1961).

DanceSC42.02.1.F03/repositories/2/archival_objects/718361966-1999SC-42 Box 1Scope and Contents

This file contains correspondence, newspaper clippings, and articles about the topic of dance and Henrietta's dance career.

Sub-Series 2.2: Personal LifeSC-42-02.2/repositories/2/archival_objects/718371929-2017SC-42 Box 1SC-42 Box 4Scope and Contents

This sub-series contains correspondence, ephemera, and newspaper clippings that pertain to Henrietta's personal life and interests.

Sub-Series 2.3: Financial RecordsSC-42-02.3/repositories/2/archival_objects/718381990-2014SC-42 Box 1Scope and Contents

This sub-series contains correspondence and financial records that pertain to the finances of and donations made by Henrietta Near. Included in the institutions she donated to are the Bayly Art Museum and the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, among others.

Sub-Series 2.4: Lloyd Family PapersSC-42-02.4/repositories/2/archival_objects/718391873-1994SC-42 Box 2SC-42 Box 4Scope and Contents

This sub-series contains correspondence, a book, ephemera, and photographs that pertain to the Lloyd family.

Series 3: Pinkney and Henrietta NearSC-42-03/repositories/2/archival_objects/718232 boxes2 boxes; 1 folder1962-1966English.SC-42 Box 2SC-42 Box 4Scope and Contents

This series contains correspondence, photographs, and ephemera pertaining to the shared lives of Pinkney and Henrietta Near.

Series 4: Artist Research FilesSC-42-04/repositories/2/archival_objects/718241 box1 box; 1 folder1969-2011English.SC-42 Box 2Scope and Contents

This series contains articles and ephemera pertaining to artists of interest to Pinkney and Henrietta Near.