Collections : [Virginia Museum of Fine Arts]

Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

VMFA Archives
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
Margaret R. and Robert M. Freeman Library
200 N. Arthur Ashe Boulevard
Richmond, VA 23220-4007
Primary Collecting Areas:
VMFA institutional records, Donor papers, Virginia Artists Archives, Oral histories, Artist subject files, Analog, and digital audiovisual collections
Description:

The Margaret R. and Robert M. Freeman Library provides access to a wealth of rare and unique primary source materials for scholars, researchers, and the public.

The Archives consists of a diverse and growing collection of permanent materials, covering museum history from its beginnings in the 1930s until today. The Archives includes institutional records from over 25 museum departments, thousands of artist and subject files, as well as donated collections related to the museum and the history of art in Virginia. The Archives also recently launched the Virginia Artists Archives, a collecting initiative that aims to create a rich, diverse, and unprecedented collection of Virginia artists’ papers to increase awareness about the contributions of Virginia artists, both past and present.

POC: Roxanne Winfield
Phone: (804) 340-1497
Phone: (804) 340-1495
Start Over Repository Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Places Harlem (New York, N.Y.)
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

Alvan Fisher Personal Papers (SC-33)

0.1 Linear Feet 1 box; 2 folders (10 items)
The collection documents the relationship between the equestrian artist Alvan Fisher and one of his patrons, New York lawyer and horse breeder Charles Henry Hall. The letters discuss the likenesses of the horses Fisher painted, as well as upcoming races, and the noted 19th century racehorse American Eclipse.
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Alvan Fisher Personal Papers (SC-33) 0.1 Linear Feet 1 box; 2 folders (10 items)

Fisher, Alvan, 1792-1863
The collection documents the relationship between the equestrian artist Alvan Fisher and one of his patrons, New York lawyer and horse breeder Charles Henry Hall. The letters discuss the likenesses of the horses Fisher painted, as well as upcoming races, and the noted 19th century racehorse American Eclipse.

Alvan Fisher to Charles H. Hall, Esquire 1 folded leaf Box SC-33 Box 1, Folder Folder 1, Item SC33.01.0.001

Transcription: Dedham Ms Oct 2d 18/ Charles Henry Hall, Esqre New York Care of Thos H. Smith Dedham Alvan Fisher October 1st 1822 Recd 5th [?] Charles H. Hall Esqre, Dedham 1st October 1822 Dear Sir The paintings which you employ'd me to execute are finished, indeed they have been for some time, but the sickness in New York has delayed my sending them, as I thot It would be uncertain (owing to the confusion in NY) If they found you. I have now written to desire that you inform me where to address them. As I am about to leave this part of the country for the South and therefore to break up my establishment here, It is necessary for to send them somewhere. I have the four pictures in one box. I presume that you will be able to select yours. You will oblige me by answering this as soon as convenient. Please make my compliments acceptable to Mrs. Hall and also to your brother. I am sir yours respectfully, Alvan Fisher

  1. Series 1: Correspondence
  2. Box 1, Folder 1

Alvan Fisher to Charles H. Hall, Esquire 1 folded leaf Box SC-33 Box 1, Folder Folder 1, Item SC33.01.0.002

Transcription: C. H. Hall Esqre Newyork Care Thos. H. Smith Boston Alvan Fisher October 26th 1822 Recd 28th [?] Boston 26th Octr 1822 C. H. Hall Esqre Dear Sir, I have shipped as per bill of Lading the four paintings, and the book which you were so kind to loan me. The paintings I believe are in perfect order and hope they may come to your hands in the same state. In the execution of them I have do my best, I hope they may meet your approbation, as paintings they are certainly superior to the first. as likeness's you will from your more recent observation, be the best judge in this respect from the change in position. I may have lost or possibly have gained - as to the price of the paintings (which in your last you desired me to name) I shall charge seventy five dollars each, this is the sum I have hitherto recei'd for this sized painting. If you please, you will direct the payment to be made to Francis Fisher of the Firm of H. Hovey & Co. Boston. I shall leave this for the South in twelve days - probably not be in Nyork. Yours, Alvan Fisher

  1. Series 1: Correspondence
  2. Box 1, Folder 1
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

Louis H. Draper Artist Archives (VA-04)

37.5 Linear Feet 170 boxes; 6,605 items
The extensive collection documents the life and work of Richmond-born photographer and educator Louis Draper (1935–2002). Manuscript and photographic materials document Draper's experience and work as an African American photographer, including his recognition of his photography as a form of "engaged resistance" that not only bore witness to leaders of the civil rights movement, but also offered a richer and more diverse perspective of African American life than provided by the mainstream media. In 1963, he was a founding member of the Kamoinge Workshop, a collective of African American photographers, and the collection includes significant materials from the early years of the Kamoinge Workshop and document his perspective on the professional challenges that he and the collective confronted in the process of finding publications that would publish photographs of African Americans made by African Americans. His photographs of significant 20th-century artists, writers, musicians, and performers reflect the wide array of personal connections that Draper made after moving to New York from Richmond, Virginia in 1957. Printed photographs and contact sheets in Draper's archive show a broad view of city life and the everyday interactions between people and also offer a unique vision of African American neighborhoods in the 1960s and 1970s.
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Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

Beuford Smith Archives (SC-32)

0.25 Linear Feet 1 box; 54 items
The collection helps document the formation of the Kamoinge Workshop in the early 1960s, including a notebook with minutes from their earliest meetings. Photographs from the collection show the early members of Kamoinge, and in particular focuses on the life of Louis H. Draper (1935-2002).
2 results

Content Warning

ARVAS is an aggregator of archival resources. ARVAS does not have control of the descriptive language used in our members’ finding aids.

Finding aids may contain historical terms and phrases, reflecting the shared attitudes and values of the community from which they were collected, but are offensive to modern readers. These include demeaning and dehumanizing references to race, ethnicity, and nationality; enslaved or free status; physical or mental ability; religion; sex; and sexual orientation and gender identity.

Many institutions and organizations are in the process of reviewing and revising their descriptive language, with the intent to describe materials in more humanizing, inclusive, and harm-reductive ways. As members revise their descriptive language, their changes will eventually be reflected in their ARVAS finding aids.