Compare Constellations

Young, Theodore,. Oral history interview with Theodore Young 1987 September 24 and 29 October 6.

Title: Oral history interview with Theodore Young 1987 September 24 and 29 October 6.

Ted Young was principal-in-charge for the John Russell Pope architectural firm during construction of the West Building of the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., serving as liaison between the Pope office and trustees of the A. W. Mellon Educational and Charitable Trust. Young described John Russell Pope, the organization of his architectural firm, and the role of the A. W. Mellon Educational and Charitable Trust, including prominent personalities associated with the trust. He explained the design of the building and its construction, including selection of the exterior marble and construction of a sample wall on-site in Washington. He noted Andrew Mellon's interest in architecture and described the circumstances of the selection of John Russell Pope as architect for the WestBuilding. He reflected on the building's architectural importance and influence.

ArchivalResource: 2 sound cassettes (ca. 100 minutes)

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/78916067 View

Olsen, Edwin,. Oral history interview with Edwin B. Olsen, 1993 September 24.

Title: Oral history interview with Edwin B. Olsen, 1993 September 24.

Edwin Olsen was an architect in the Office of John Russell Pope during design and construction of the West Building of the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C. Olsen described his work on the National Archives building, also designed by John Russell Pope, followed by his assignments relating to the National Gallery building. He outlined the stages in design of the National Gallery building and explained the importance of model-making as part of the process. He recalled the meeting at which the Gallery's skylights and laylights were approved, and described the controversy relating to the design of the rotunda dome.He explained the work of the Vermont Marble Company in forming the rotunda columns from blocks of Italian marble. He described Alexander Reed's role in building construction. Olsen also recounted Jacqueline Kennedy's efforts to reinstall a fireplace in the White House state dining room, and his visit to former President Harry Truman in Independence, Missouri as part of this effort.

ArchivalResource: 1 sound cassette (ca. 45 minutes)

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/81489153 View

Silberfeld, Kay,. Oral history interview with Kay Silberfeld, 1992 May 27.

Title: Oral history interview with Kay Silberfeld, 1992 May 27.

Kay Silberfeld was a painting conservator at the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., from 1972 to 1980. Silberfeld described development of the painting conservation department, the organization of the conservation laboratory, equipment used there and her work with Victor Covey, William Leisher and others. She recalled Mario Modestini, Robert Feller, and conservation of various paintings, and described conservation techniques and philosophies. She explained the development of the controversy surrounding conservation of Rembrandt's The Mill and recalled the various personalities and actions involved and the impact of the controversy on the National Gallery and on the conservation community.

ArchivalResource: 2 sound cassettes (ca. 130 minutes)

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/79266493 View

Stoner, Joyce Hill,. Oral history interview with Joyce Hill Stoner 1995 July 7.

Title: Oral history interview with Joyce Hill Stoner 1995 July 7.

=aJoyce Hill Stoner is a conservator who teaches in the painting conservation department of the University of Delaware-Winterthur. Stoner described her educational background in art and conservation, outlined the development of the field, and explained the differences in theory and approach of the major figures in painting conservation. She discussed many conservators and their varying philosophies. She remembered John Brealey and reflected on his personality, professional philosophy, and the perspective he had on his role in the Gallery's conservation controversy of the 1970s.

ArchivalResource: 2 sound cassettes (ca. 120 minutes)

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/79148005 View

Modestini, Mario,. Oral history interview with Mario Modestini, 1993 November 5.

Title: Oral history interview with Mario Modestini, 1993 November 5.

=aMario Modestini became art conservator for the Samuel H. Kress Foundation in 1949 and later was conservation consultant to the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C. Modestini described his early life and the circumstances of his invitation to work for the Kress Foundation. He remembered Rush Kress, Francis Sullivan, Mary Davis, Franklin Murphy and others associated with the foundation. He described the paintings acquired by the Kress Foundation, the involvement of John Walker in the acquisitions, conservation of the collection in New York, at Huckleberry Hill and elsewhere, and the distribution of the collection to regional art galleries. He described Robert Feller's contributions to conservation and recalled his experiences with the controversial varnish 27H. He recalled the acquisition and framing of Leonardo's Ginevra de 'Benci and controversies concerning conservation of various works, especially Rembrandt's The Mill.He shared anecdotes relating to various other works of art.

ArchivalResource: 2 sound cassettes (ca. 100 minutes)

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/84853068 View

Fox, Carol,. Oral history interview with Carol Fox, 1993 Mary 12.

Title: Oral history interview with Carol Fox, 1993 Mary 12.

=aCarol Fox came to the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., in 1974 to serve as translator for Chinese curators in the United States for the exhibition Archaeological Finds of the People's Republic of China. She returned to the Gallery in February 1978 to work on special events. Fox described her education and introduction to the National Gallery. She explained her interest in the Chinese language, the circumstances that led her to join the staff of the National Gallery, and her experiences with the Chinese curators. She recounted her activities at the time of the opening of the East Building, and shared anecdotes about the events, including Benny Goodman's surprise performance. She reflected on the development of the Patrons' Permanent Fund and the Collectors Committee, and on the beginning of the Gallery's corporate fundraising program. She recalled early experiments with a pass system for exhibitions, and reflected on the personalities and interests of key Gallery staff members.

ArchivalResource: 2 sound cassettes (ca. 120 minutes)

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/82986036 View

Burger, Warren E., 1907-1995,. Oral history interview with Warren Burger, 1992 January 14.

Title: Oral history interview with Warren Burger, 1992 January 14.

As Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, Warren Burger was a member of the board of trustees of the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., from 1969 to 1986. He was chairman of the board from 1969 - 1979. Burger recalled visiting the newly-opened Gallery in 1941 when he was in Washington on business. He noted his love for art and avocation as a sculptor which contributed to his long-term interest in the National Gallery. He recalled his interestin I. M. Pei's plans for the Gallery's new building and his attention to its progress. He assessed the Gallery and its standards relative to other cultural institutions.

ArchivalResource: 1 sound cassette (ca. 45 minutes)

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/78015802 View

Eggers, David L.,. Oral history interview with David L. Eggers, 1991 July 25.

Title: Oral history interview with David L. Eggers, 1991 July 25.

Architect David Eggers was a close observer of the architectural development of the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., and architect for several construction projects in the West Building of the National Gallery in the 1950s and 1960s. He was the son of Otto Eggers, an architect and draftsman who worked with John Russell Pope and others in the design and original construction of the West Building. Eggers described his father and his career and relationship to architect John Russell Pope. He explained Pope's working method, the organization of his architectural office, and others who worked in the office, especially partner and business manager Daniel Higgins. He reviewed architectural development of the West Building after its initial construction and personalities with whom he worked.

ArchivalResource: 2 sound cassettes (ca. 120 minutes)

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/82681274 View

Perry, Marilyn,. Oral history interview with Marily Perry, 1995 March 6.

Title: Oral history interview with Marily Perry, 1995 March 6.

Marilyn Perry joined the Samuel H. Kress Foundation as executive vice president in 1981. In 1984 she was elected president of the foundation. Perry described her educational background, how she was urged by Kress board member Franklin Murphy to join the Kress Foundation, and her experience there. She mentioned a fund which the Kress Foundation established in memory of Murphy which will enable the National Gallery to host international symposia on various aspects of the illustrated book. She described the foundation's ties with the Gallery including the initial Kress gift of paintings and sculptures, the photographic archives, and the Kress fellowships and professorships established in the Center for Advanced Study in the Visual Arts (CASVA). She recalled how the foundation commissioned and published the systematic catalogue of the Kress collection and sponsored other publication projects. She expressed her opinions on the purpose of the National Gallery and her philosophy on the relative merits of small and large exhibitions.

ArchivalResource: 1 sound cassette (ca. 60 minutes)

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/82156363 View

Irwin, John N.,. Oral history interview with John N. Irwin II, 1993 May 12.

Title: Oral history interview with John N. Irwin II, 1993 May 12.

=aJohn N. Irwin II served as a trustee of the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., from 1962 to 1965, when he resigned from the board to pursue government service representing the United States in negotiations concerning the Panama Canal. Later he served as United States ambassadorto France. Irwin described his early years, the growth of his interest in art, his diplomatic service, and his acquaintance with National Gallery director John Walker, which led to his appointment to the board of trustees of the National Gallery. He described the activities and role of the board of trustees, and shared his observations concerning the development of museums and exhibitions and the period of his service on the board. He reflected on the role and contributions of trustees and art collectors he knew, including Paul Mellon, John Hay Whitney and Walter Annenberg.

ArchivalResource: 1 sound cassette (ca. 60 minutes)

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/78136381 View

Smyth, Craig Hugh,. Oral history interview with Craig Hugh Smyth, 1993 March 1.

Title: Oral history interview with Craig Hugh Smyth, 1993 March 1.

Craig Hugh Smyth joined the curatorial staff of the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., in 1941. He left to join the U.S. Navy in 1942 and in 1945 was assigned to the U.S. Army's Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archives Section. He returned to the National Gallery in 1987 as Kress professor in residence at the Center for Advanced Study in the Visual Arts. Smyth described his education and the development of his interest in the Renaissance in Italy. He recalled his initial interview with John Walker at the offices of the A. W. Mellon Educational and Charitable Trust before the National Gallery opened and his work as a young curator at the museum. He described the curators, administrators, and staff with whom he worked, especially John Walker, Macgill James, Charles Parkhurst and Fred Rieth, and remembered his experiences at Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina, supervising care of paintings evacuated from the National Gallery for safekeeping during the war years. He also recalled the work of the Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archives Section of the U.S. Army, and his involvement in the controversy relating to transfer of paintings from Berlin museums to the National Gallery for temporary safekeeping.

ArchivalResource: 1 sound cassette (ca. 90 minutes)

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/78939636 View

Bales, Richard, 1915-1998,. Oral history interview with Richard Bales, 1989 January 11.

Title: Oral history interview with Richard Bales, 1989 January 11.

Richard Bales served as the music director of the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., from 1943 until his retirement in 1985. Bales recalled joining the National Gallery's staff, noting that it was "one of those things that fell out of the sky" and described development of the music program including his work planning concerts, and performances at the White House and Kennedy Center. He discussed his work as a composer,and especially his orchestral suites The Union and The Confederacy and his patriotic cantata, The Republic. Bales described the Gallery's first three directors, David Finley, John Walker and J. Carter Brown, and their personalities, working styles, and influence on the National Gallery and on the music program. He recalled other aspects of National Gallery activities, including important visitors.

ArchivalResource: 2 sound cassettes (ca. 100 minutes)

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/82602477 View

Cavanagh, Carroll J.,. Oral history interview with Carroll J. Cavanagh, 1992 November 18.

Title: Oral history interview with Carroll J. Cavanagh, 1992 November 18.

Carroll Cavanagh served as the secretary-general counsel of the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C. from 1980 to January 1985, when he left to work for Paul Mellon. Cavanagh recounted the circumstances of his arrival at the National Gallery. He described the funding and impact of West Building construction projects and their relationship to the East Building. He considered the Gallery's public and private funding sources, and described the establishment and evolution of the Patrons' Permanent Fund and the Trustees' Council. He reflected on the Gallery's exhibition program and on the personality and accomplishments of various members of the senior staff.

ArchivalResource: 1 sound cassette (ca. 60 minutes)

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/81298975 View

Murphy, Franklin D. (Franklin David) 1916-,. Oral history interview with Franklin Murphy, 1990 January 24 and May 5.

Title: Oral history interview with Franklin Murphy, 1990 January 24 and May 5.

=aFranklin Murphy served as a trustee of the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C. from 1964 to 1993 and as chairman of the board from 1985 to 1993. Murphy recalled his early experiences with the Samuel H. Kress Foundation, on whose board he served, and his association with the National Gallery,including his role in the selection of John Walker as David Finley's successor. He discussed the character and influence of various members of the board of trustees, directors John Walker and J. Carter Brown, and notable staff members. He recalled significant events in the Gallery's history including the conservation controversy of the late 1970s and activities and decisions associated with planning and construction of the East Building. He reflected on Paul Mellon and his influence on the National Gallery and described other major donors and fund-raising efforts, including the Patrons' Permanent Fund, the Collectors Committee, and the Trustees' Council.

ArchivalResource: 2 sound cassettes (ca. 100 minutes)

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/83755535 View

Standen, Edith Appleton,. Oral history interview with Edith Appleton Standen,f1989 Dec. 1.

Title: Oral history interview with Edith Appleton Standen,f1989 Dec. 1.

Edith Appleton Standen was secretary to the Widener art collection from 1929 to 1942. She joined the Women's Army Corps in 1943 and became an officer in the Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archives Section in Europe. She served as a curator at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York until her retirement in 1970. Standen described Paul Sachs's museum course at the Fogg Museum and explained how she was hired by Joseph Widener. She recalled Widener's approach to his art collection, dealers he worked with, and transfer of the collection to the National Gallery of Art. She explained her work in Europe for the Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archives Section and assessed the impact of the transfer of Berlin paintings to the National Gallery.

ArchivalResource: 2 sound cassettes (ca. 100 minutes)

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/83051540 View

Parkhurst, Charles, 1913-,. Oral history interview with Charles Parkhurst, 1990 November 10 and December 6.

Title: Oral history interview with Charles Parkhurst, 1990 November 10 and December 6.

Charles Parkhurst joined the staff of the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., in 1941 as an assistant curator. He left soon thereafter for military service in World War II, serving in Europe as an officer with the U.S. Army's Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archives Section. He returned to the National Gallery in 1971 as assistant director, retiring from that position in 1983. Parkhurst described his education and his work at the National Gallery before the war and recalled many of the early curatorial staff and administrative officers. He recounted his experiences in Europe during World War II and the controversy surrounding the Berlin paintings and their shipment to the National Gallery. He described the circumstances of his return to the National Gallery in 1971, the organization and functions of the office of the assistant director, and especially events surrounding the conservation controversy of the late 1970s. He described construction of the East Building and its impact on the National Gallery, development of some of the art commissions for the new building, and establishment of the Center for Advanced Study in the Visual Arts.

ArchivalResource: 3 sound cassettes (ca. 150 minutes)

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/82962726 View