John D. Graham papers, 1799-1988, bulk 1890-1961

This series contains photographs of John Graham, his family and associates, artwork by Graham, European art and architecture, and antiques and primitive art.

Photographs of John Graham date back to his childhood in Russia. Early photographs include several cabinet card portraits, one of which is unidentified but appears to be Graham at age two around 1888. Snapshots and formal portraits of Graham are found spanning his entire life. Some snapshots also depict his son, David Graham, in the early 1930s. The earliest group photograph present appears to depict Graham and his first wife Ebrenia. Other individuals in group photographs in which Graham appears are unidentified.

Family photographs depict Graham's parents, wives, and children. Numerous photographs of the family of Elinor Gibson Graham, John Graham's fourth wife, are also found, including her father, Archer Gibson, a well-known organist, and the instruments he helped to design. Additional photographs of Graham's family members may be among the unidentified photographs filed under "Miscellaneous People."

Other photographs in this series depict Picasso with Marie Vassilieff and Pâcquerette, Arshile Gorky with Graham; Françoise Gilot with Picasso and her children, Claude and Paloma; and Linda Leyden, a young girlfriend of Graham's in his later years. Also found are portraits of young women and men. It is likely that these depict actors or other famous figures.

A group of photographic enlargements grouped together in this series appear to have been used by Graham in his creative process. Many of the originals from which the enlargements were derived are found among Graham's papers.

Among the photographs of works of art are installation views, the earliest of which appear to be wall decorations or murals, and may be those Graham painted at Wells College around 1930. Other exhibitions shown include a Carnegie Institute show, a 1946 window display at Arnold Constable department store in New York City, and a 1985 exhibit at the Andre Emmerich Gallery, also in New York.

Except for installation views, most of the photographs of works of art have not been scanned. Additional photographs are found in Biographical Materials and Correspondence.