William Henry Holmes artists' files, 1879-1955

Collection Information

Size: 0.2 Linear feet

Summary: The artists' files of William Henry Holmes, curator and director of the Smithsonian's National Collection of Fine Arts (now the Smithsonian American Art Museum) in Washington, D.C., measure 0.2 linear feet and date from 1879 to 1955. The artists' files consist mostly of correspondence, but also include a few photographs, artwork in the form of sketches, and printed material. There is also one file relating to Holmes' affiliation with the Washington Water Color Club.

Biographical/Historical Note

William Henry Holmes (1846-1933) was a curator, museum director, artist, scientific illustrator, archaeologist, geologist, and anthropologist. He served in various positions in the Smithsonian Institution, and finally as director of the Smithsonian's National Gallery of Art (now the Smithsonian American Art Museum) from 1920-1932. Read More

Provenance

These files were transferred from the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American Art Library (now the Smithsonian American Art Museum) to the Archives of American Art in two installments in 1981 and 1992.

Related Materials

Collections about William Henry Holmes are also located at other Smithsonian Institution archival units, including the National Anthropological Archives and Smithsonian Institution Archives.

Language Note

Collection is in English.

Digitization Note

This site provides access to the papers of William Henry Holmes in the Archives of American Art that were digitized in 2017, and total 184 images.

Funding Note

Funding for the digitization of this collection was provided by The Walton Family Foundation and Terra Foundation for American Art.