Oral history interview with John Walker, 1997 July 27.

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Oral history interview with John Walker, 1997 July 27.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/81164078

John Walker served as the first chief curator of the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., from 1939 to 1956 and as its director from 1956 until his retirement in 1969. Walker discussed coming to the National Gallery from his position at the American Academy in Rome and his impressions of executive officers David Finley, Harry McBride, Macgill James, and Huntington Cairns. He described major acquisitions at the National Gallery of Art, art dealer Joseph Duveen, and art dealership in general. He explained his role in the design of the interior of the West Building and the initial planning of the East Building. He described the Gallery's emergency plans that were in effect during World War II. He also spoke of his friendship with Paul Mellon and his impressions of Andrew Mellon.

2 sound cassttes (ca. 120 minutes)

National Gallery of Art Library

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SNAC Resource ID: 8258613

National Gallery of Art Library

Related Entities

There are 7 Entities related to this resource.

Cairns, Huntington, 1904-1985

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6tb1t92 (person)

Author, government official, and lawyer; died 1985. From the description of Papers of Huntington Cairns, 1780-1984 (bulk 1925-1984). (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 71065994 Biographical Note 1904, Sept. 1 Born, Baltimore, Md. 1922 Graduated, Baltimore City College (high school), Baltimore, Md....

Walker, John, 1906-1995

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6w95gxs (person)

National Gallery of Art (U.S.)

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w69638c2 (corporateBody)

Art museum; Washington, D.C. From the description of National Gallery of Art exhibition catalog, 1910. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122553233 ...

Duveen, Joseph Duveen, Baron, 1869-1939

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6n303tr (person)

Lindquist, Eric N.

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6j40tc1 (person)

James, Macgill.

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6pg1zv1 (person)

Finley, David E. (David Edward)

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6qn6dws (person)

Museum director and lawyer. From the description of Papers of David E. Finley, 1921-1977. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 71069121 Director of the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C. From the description of Correspondence to Paul Philippe Cret, 1945. (University of Pennsylvania Library). WorldCat record id: 63645383 Born 1890, York, South Carolina; 1922-27, Member, War Loan Staff, U.S. Dept. of the Treasury; 1927-32, Special assistant to Secretary o...