Scope and Contents
The collection includes correspondence, writings, and personal papers documenting the professional life of Russian-born artist Naum Gabo. Correspondence features incoming correspondence from other artists, writers, and cultural institutions, arranged alphabetically by correspondent in General Correspondence, but there are also subdivisions for correspondence from family members, projects, financial and legal institutions, and unsorted material.
Writings in the collection include original work by Gabo, most dating to the latter period of his life in the United States, such as the collection of essays on the fine arts, Of Divers Arts (1962), but also relating to his early The Realistic Manifesto, first published in Russia in 1920 and then in translation in 1957.
Other material in the collection includes constructions (models), drawings, photographs, audio-visual materials, financial and legal records, printed materials, and personal papers, such as passports and family records. Audiovisual materials include audio recordings of talks by Gabo and 8 and 16mm films of Gabo by Ilya Bolotowsky.
In addition to Gabo's papers, there is a small amount of material relating to his older brother Antoine Pevsner.
Dates
- 1920-1980
Creator
Language of Materials
Chiefly in English; some material in French, German, and Russian.
Conditions Governing Access
The materials are open for research.
Boxes 73-74 (audiovisual material): Restricted fragile material. Reference copies may be requested. Consult Access Services for further information.
Box 75 (video tape): Use of original is restricted. Reference copies may be requested. Consult Access Services for further information.
Conditions Governing Use
The Naum Gabo Papers is the physical property of the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University. Literary rights, including copyright, belong to the authors or their legal heirs and assigns. For further information, consult the appropriate curator.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Mrs. Naum Gabo, 1978 and 1980.
Arrangement
Organized into four series: I. Correspondence, 1939-1980. II. Writings, 1920-1975. III. Other Material, 1955-1977. IV. Material Relating to Antoine Pevsner, undated.
Extent
30.77 Linear Feet (78 boxes)
Catalog Record
A record for this collection is available in Orbis, the Yale University Library catalog
Persistent URL
Abstract
Collection includes correspondence, writings, and personal papers documenting the professional life of Russian-born artist Naum Gabo. Correspondence features incoming correspondence from other artists, writers, and cultural institutions, arranged alphabetically by correspondent in General Correspondence, but there are also subdivisions for correspondence from family members, projects, finanical and legal instutitions, and unsorted material. Writings in the collection include original work by Gabo, most dating to the latter period of his life in the United States, such as the collection of essays on the fine arts, Of Divers Arts (1962), but also relating to his early The Realistic Manifesto, first published in Russia in 1920 and then in translation in 1957. Other material in the collection includes constructions, drawings, photographs, audiovisual materials, financial and legal records, printed materials, and personal papers, such as passports and family records. Audiovisual materials include audio recordings of talks by Gabo and 8mm and 16mm films of Gabo by Iyla Bolotowsky. In addition to Gabo's papers, there is a small amount of material relating to his older brother Antoine Pevsner.
Naum Gabo (1890-1977)
Naum Gabo, born Naum Borisovich Pevsner, was a Russian sculptor. Gabo was educated in Russia and Munich before emigrating to Scandinavia in 1915. He then lived in Russia (1917-1922), Germany (19322-1932), France (1932-1935), and England (1936-1946) before emigrating to the United States in 1946 and settling in Connecticut. Gabo is known for his ties to the Constructivist movement. Gabo died in Waterbury, Connecticut, in 1977.
Processing Information
This collection received preliminary processing around the time of acquisition in 1978 and 1980. Further organization, rehousing, and description were carried out in 2011-2012, with folder headings transcribed as found.
Formerly classed as Za Gabo.
- Title
- Guide to the Naum Gabo Papers
- Author
- by Beinecke staff
- Date
- 2009-08-04
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English.
Part of the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library Repository
Location
121 Wall Street
New Haven, CT 06511
Opening Hours
Access Information
The Beinecke Library is open to all Yale University students and faculty, and visiting researchers whose work requires use of its special collections. You will need to bring appropriate photo ID the first time you register. Beinecke is a non-circulating, closed stack library. Paging is done by library staff during business hours. You can request collection material online at least two business days in advance of your visit, using the request links in Archives at Yale. For more information, please see Planning Your Research Visit and consult the Reading Room Policies prior to visiting the library.