Hermann Dudley Murphy papers, circa 1878-1982

Scope and Contents

The papers of painter and frame maker Hermann Dudley Murphy measure 2.8 linear feet and date from circa 1878-1982. Found are biographical materials, correspondence, writings, personal business records, printed materials, a scrapbook, photographs, and original artworks, including sketchbooks.

The bulk of the papers focus on the later part of Herman Dudley Murphy's career. Specifically, correspondence focuses on the sale of still-life paintings and sketches and sketchbooks are mostly from Murphy's travels through Europe and Mexico from the 1920s to the 1930s. Correspondents include Mary Ogden Abbott, Edwin S. Barrie, Maurice Prendergast, Chauncey Ryder, Theodore Sizer, Edmund Tarbell, Alexander Trowbridge, and Vose Gallery among others. Personal business records comment on the sale of works of art from 1897 until 1944. Printed materials include clippings and exhibition catalogs spanning Murphy's career. One scrapbook contains photos and printed materials. Photographs and snapshots are of Hermann Dudley Murphey and family, family travels, and works of art and frames. Artwork consists of loose sketches, prints, and sketchbooks.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The collection was donated in 1985 by Alexander B. and Dudley D. B. Samoiloff, grandsons of Hermann Dudley Murphy.

Existence and Location of Originals

Several letters from Caroline Bowles Murphy to Hermann Dudley Murphy are photocopies. The original materials stayed with the donor, Alexander Samoiloff.

Sponsor

Processing Information

The Hermann Dudley Murphy papers were arranged upon receipt and microfilmed onto reels 4038-4039. In 2013, the papers were minimally processed and described by Jayna Josefson with funding provided by the Terra Foundation for American Art.