A Finding Aid to the Rockwell Kent Papers, circa 1840-1993, bulk 1935-1961, in the Archives of American Art Catherine Stover and Lisa Lynch 1998 Archives of American Art 750 9th Street, NW Victor Building, Suite 2200 Washington, D.C. 20001 https://www.aaa.si.edu/services/questions https://www.aaa.si.edu/ Table of Contents Collection Overview ........................................................................................................ 1 Administrative Information .............................................................................................. 1 Biographical Note............................................................................................................. 2 Scope and Content Note................................................................................................. 5 Arrangement..................................................................................................................... 6 Names and Subjects ...................................................................................................... 7 Container Listing ............................................................................................................. 9 Series 1: Alphabetical Files, circa 1900-1971, undated........................................... 9 Series 2: Writings, 1906-1978, undated............................................................... 249 Series 3: Art Work, 1910-1972, undated.............................................................. 260 Series 4: Printed Matter, 1905-1993, undated..................................................... 264 Series 5: Miscellaneous Material, 1859-1969, undated....................................... 267 Series 6: Photographs, circa 1840-1970, undated............................................... 270 Rockwell Kent papers AAA.kentrock Collection Overview Repository: Archives of American Art Title: Rockwell Kent papers Identifier: AAA.kentrock Date: circa 1840-1993 (bulk 1935-1961) Creator: Kent, Rockwell, 1882-1971 Extent: 88 Linear feet Language: English . Summary: The Rockwell Kent papers measure 88.0 linear feet and date from circa 1840 to 1993 with the bulk of the collection dating from 1935 to 1961. The collection provides comprehensive coverage of Kent's career as a painter, illustrator, designer, writer, lecturer, traveler, political activist, and dairy farmer. Administrative Information Provenance In 1969, Rockwell Kent donated his papers to the Archives of American Art; textile samples were received in 1979, and his widow gave additional papers in 1971 and 1996. Letters to Rockwell Kent from wives Frances and Sally, sealed during Sally Kent Gorton's lifetime, became available for research after her death in 2000, and further material was donated to the Archives of American Art in 2001 by the Estate of Sally Kent [Shirley Johnstone] Gorton. Alternative Forms Available This site provides access to the papers of Rockwell Kent in the Archives of American Art that were digitized in 2008 from 106 reels of microfilm, and total 160,404 images. Researchers should note that the legibility of some materials is poor due to the microfilm quality. Processing Information The collection was processed by Catherine Stover and Lisa Lynch in 1998 and microfilmed on reels 5153-5256. Sealed materials that became available in 2000 were microfilmed separately on reels 5740-5741. Funding for the processing, microfilming, and publication of the finding aid was provided by The Henry Luce Foundation. The finding aid was modified during EAD conversion by Stephanie Ashley in 2002. In 2008, the microfilm was digitized with funding provided by the Terra Foundation for American Art. Papers suffered significant water damage after being rescued from the fire that destroyed the Kent home in 1969. A small percentage could not be salvaged, and a few items (particularly letters written in fountain pen) are faded or smeared to the point of illegibility. Page 1 of 278 Rockwell Kent papers AAA.kentrock Preferred Citation Rockwell Kent papers, circa 1840-1993, bulk 1935-1961. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution. Restrictions on Access The microfilm of this collection has been digitized and is available online via AAA's website. Use of material not microfilmed or digitized requires an appointment. Terms of Use The Archives of American Art makes its archival collections available for non-commercial, educational and personal use unless restricted by copyright and/or donor restrictions, including but not limited to access and publication restrictions. AAA makes no representations concerning such rights and restrictions and it is the user's responsibility to determine whether rights or restrictions exist and to obtain any necessary permission to access, use, reproduce and publish the collections. Please refer to the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for additional information. Biographical Note Rockwell Kent (1882-1971), an energetic and multitalented man, pursued many interests and careers during his very long and active life. At various times he was an architect, draftsman, carpenter, unskilled laborer, painter, illustrator, printmaker, commercial artist, designer, traveler/explorer, writer, professional lecturer, dairy farmer, and political activist. While studying architecture at Columbia University, Kent enrolled in William Merritt Chase's summer school at Shinnecock Hills, Long Island. He then redirected his career ambitions toward painting and continued to study with Chase in New York. Kent spent a summer working and living with Abbott H. Thayer in Dublin, New Hampshire, and attended the New York School of Art, where Robert Henri and Kenneth Hayes Miller were his teachers. Critically and financially, Kent was a successful artist. He was very well known for his illustration work-- particularly limited editions of the classics, bookplates, and Christmas cards. He was a prolific printmaker, and his prints and paintings were acquired by many major museums and private collectors. During the post- World War II era, Kent's political sympathies resulted in the loss of commissions, and his adherence to artistic conservatism and outspoken opposition to modern art led to disfavor within art circles. After many years of declining reputation in this country and unsuccessful attempts to find a home for the Kent Collection, Kent gave his unsold paintings--the majority of his oeuvre--to the Soviet Union, where he continued to be immensely popular. An avid traveler, Kent was especially fascinated by remote, Arctic lands and often stayed for extended periods of time to paint, write, and become acquainted with the local inhabitants. Between 1918 and 1935, he wrote and illustrated several popular books about his experiences in Alaska, Tierra del Fuego, and Greenland. In the 1930s and 1940s, Kent was much in demand as a lecturer, making several nationwide tours under the management of a professional lecture bureau; he spoke mainly about his travels, but among his standard lectures were some on "art for the people." In 1927, Kent purchased Asgaard Farm at AuSable Forks, New York, in the Adirondacks, where he lived for the remainder of his life, operating a modern dairy farm on a modest scale for many years. As a young man, Kent met Rufus Weeks, became committed to social justice, and joined the Socialist Party. Throughout his life, he supported left-wing causes and was a member or officer of many organizations promoting world peace and harmonious relations with the Soviet Union, civil rights, civil liberties, antifascism, and organized labor. Kent was frequently featured as a celebrity sponsor or speaker at fund-raising events for these causes. In 1948, he ran unsuccessfully as the American Labor Party's candidate for Congress. Kent's unpopular political views eventually led to the dissolution of his dairy business, resulted in a summons Page 2 of 278 Rockwell Kent papers AAA.kentrock to appear before the House Un-American Activities Committee, and prompted the U.S. State Department to deny him a passport, an action that subsequently was overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court. Kent wrote two autobiographies, This Is My Own (1940) and It's Me, O Lord (1955). In 1969, he was the subject of an oral history interview conducted by Paul Cummings for the Archives of American Art. Missing Title 1882 born, Tarrytown, New York 1887 death of Rockwell Kent, Sr. 1894-1896 attended Cheshire Academy 1895 toured Europe with Aunt Jo 1896 attended Horace Mann School, New York City 1900-1902 studied architecture at Columbia University 1900-1902 attended William Merritt Chase's summer school, Shinnecock Hills, Long Island 1903 studied with William Merritt Chase, New York City 1904 first sale of a painting 1904 met Rufus Weeks and attended first Socialist meeting 1905 lived and worked with Abbott H. Thayer, Dublin, New Hampshire 1905 first painting trip to Monhegan Island, Maine 1907 first one-man show, Claussen Galleries, New York City 1908 marriage to Kathleen Whiting 1908 studied with Robert Henri 1908 joined Socialist Party 1909 birth of Rockwell, III 1910 ran Monhegan Summer School of Art 1910 first trip to Newfoundland 1910 helped to organize first Independent Exhibition 1911 birth of Kathleen 1912 moved to Winona, Minnesota 1913 birth of Clara 1914 settled in Newfoundland 1915 deported from Newfoundland 1915 birth of Barbara 1917 served as full-time organizer and administrator of Independent Exhibition 1918-1919 in Alaska with son Rocky 1919 purchased Egypt Farm, Arlington, Vermont 1919 incorporated