Daniel Varney Thompson papers

  1. Resources
  2. View Resource

ArchivalResource

Daniel Varney Thompson papers

1848-1979

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/mw9528dc18c-6119-4c37-946d-004d2c9fea4c

The papers of art conservator and historian, professor, engineer, and writer Daniel Varney Thompson (1902-1980) are dated 1848-1979, with the bulk of the material dated 1923-1979. The collection measures 10.1 linear feet and consists of biographical material, correspondence, subject files, writings, artwork, printed material, and photographs. Biographical information includes certificates and diplomas, passports, and wills. Correspondence documents Daniel Varney Thompson's personal and professional life. Personal correspondence centers heavily on family members including his brother, the composer Randall Thompson. Professional correspondence concerns Thompson's academic career, research, writing, and work as a technical consultant and engineer. Among the correspondents are colleagues from Harvard, Yale, the Courtauld Institute, publishers, and academic and technical journals, in addition to corporate clients.Subject files are comprised of varying correspondence, printed matter, photographs, notes and writings relating to Thompson's areas of interest. Personal and professional subject files include many relating to his research interests and engineering consulting projects. Of particular interest are numerous letters from Bernard Berenson. There is also correspondence with Belle da Costa Greene, as well as files concerning the Kermes beetle (a source of crimson dyes in the middle ages). Food and gardening subject files reflect Thompson's career as a writer and columnist on these subjects.Writings consist mainly of manuscripts, drafts, research and miscellaneous notes; also included are diaries, poems, miscellaneous items, and a music score. Daniel Varney Thompson's personal and professional writings include two diaries, poems, and student writings. Most of his extant writings are on art-related topics, science and technology. Among the notes is an index to medieval manuscripts on craftsmanship in major European libraries was compiled by Thompson in 1935. His work on the subject remains unpublished and his notes are extremely valuable since some of the materials noted were lost in World War II. Scientific and technical notebooks, along with various wirings and reports, document projects undertaken as a technical consultant and engineer. The food and gardening writings are extensive and consist of manuscripts and notes for articles and columns, and for a book-length compilation of these writings. Among the writings by other authors are diaries of his mother and wife, and a music score by his brother, Randall Thompson.Artwork by Daniel Varney Thompson, Mary Sargent McKean, and Henry Winslow consists of drawings, prints, watercolors, a sketchbook, and an oil painting. Printed material includes articles and book reviews by Daniel Varney Thompson, and items about or mentioning him and his family. Also found are articles and books about art, history, medieval studies, science and technology, and food and gardening topics.Photographs are of artwork, people, places and miscellaneous subjects. Images of people are mainly Thompson and family members.

Archives of American Art

Information

SNAC Resource ID: 6630754

Archives of American Art

Related Entities

There are 7 Entities related to this resource.

Berenson, Bernard, 1865-1959

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6tz45t8 (person)

Bernard Berenson (June 26, 1865 – October 6, 1959) was an American art historian specializing in the Renaissance. His book Drawings of the Florentine Painters was an international success. His wife Mary is thought to have had a large hand in some of the writings. Berenson was a major figure in the attribution of Old Masters, at a time when these were attracting new interest by American collectors, and his judgments were widely respected in the art world. Recent research has cast doubt on some...

Greene, Belle da Costa, 1883-1950

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6gc2vfw (person)

Belle da Costa Greene (December 13, 1883 – May 10, 1950) was the librarian to J. P. Morgan. After Morgan's death in 1913, Greene continued as librarian under his son, Jack Morgan. In 1924 the private collection was incorporated by the State of New York as a library for public uses, and the Board of Trustees appointed Greene first director of the Pierpont Morgan Library. Born Belle Marion Greener in Washington, D.C., Greene grew up there and in New York City. Her biographer Heidi Ardizzone lis...

Thompson, Randall, 1899-1984

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6b95zdw (person)

Randall Thompson (1899-1984) was an American composer of three symphonies and numerous vocal works, noted for his choral work. He was a 1920 graduate of Harvard University. He became assistant professor of music and choir director at Wellesley College, received a doctorate in music from the University of Rochester's Eastman School of Music, and taught at the Curtis Institute of Music (serving as its director, 1941-1942), the University of Virginia, and Harvard University....

McKean, Mary Sargeant

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6hj9kmh (person)

Winslow, Henry, 1874-

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6tx3g3v (person)

Thompson, Daniel V. (Daniel Varney), 1902-1980

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6mg7q68 (person)

Art historian, conservator, chemist engineer; d. 1980. Studied techniques of medieval, Renaissance painting. Professor at Courtald Institute, London, 1938-1947. From the description of Daniel Varney Thompson interviews, 1974 Sept. 25-1976 Nov. 2 [sound recording]. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 220244371 Art historian, conservator, chemist engineer; d. 1980. Studied techniques of medieval, Renaissance painting. Professor at C...

Courtauld Institute of Art.

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6255c4d (corporateBody)