Romaine Brooks papers, 1910-2020, bulk 1910-1973

Collection Information

Size: 3.002 Linear feet

Summary: The papers of painter Romaine Brooks measure 3.002 linear feet and date from 1910 to 1973. Found are biographical sketches, correspondence, seven journals, writings and notes, printed materials, a scrapbook, and photographs. Most of the materials focus on Brooks' later life while living in Paris and Nice, France and Fiesole, Italy and make little reference to her paintings and portraits. There is a 2 item unprocessed addition to this collection donated in 2024 that includes a January 29, 2020 letter to Meryle Secrest from Melanie Hawthorne regarding Brooks and corresponding photocopy of an article by Hawthorne. Materials date from 2020.

Biographical/Historical Note

Romaine Brooks (1874-1970) was a wealthy portrait painter who lived abroad for most of her life in Paris, and Nice, France, and Fiesole, Italy. Read More

Provenance

The Romaine Brooks papers were donated by Meryle Secrest, Brooks's biographer, in 1999. Secrest received the letters and notebooks directly from Brooks's estate and compiled the remainder. Additional papers were transfered from the Smithsonian's National Museum of American Art via the Smithsonian Institution Archives in 1986. Two addition items were donated in 2024 by Secrest.

Language Note

Most of the collection is in English and French; some materials are in Italian.

Digitization Note

This site provides access to the papers of Romaine Brooks in the Archives of American Art that were digitized in 2013. The papers have been scanned in their entirety, and total 2,144 images.

Funding Note

Funding for the processing and digitization of this collection was provided by the Terra Foundation for American Art