Michael Bell papers, 1942-1988

Collection Information

Size: 4.4 Linear feet

Summary: The papers of Michael Bell measure 4.4 linear feet and date from 1942 to 1988. The papers document his career as an art curator and administrator, artist, and research on Surrealism through correspondence with artists; lecture notes, manuscripts, and other writings; documents from his time on the Registrar Committee for the American Association of Museums, Surrealist artist files, and administrative files; materials relating to exhibitions he participated in such as the "100 Vows of the Sun" exhibition; exhibition catalogs, pulbished manuscripts, and other printed material; and photographs of works by Surrealist artists.

Biographical/Historical Note

Michael Bell (1946-) is a curator and arts administrator who has worked at institutions such as the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. Bell also served on the Registrar Committee for the American Association of Museums during the late 1970s. Bell began work on contemporary Surrealists in 1975 under George Neubert at the Oakland Museum, and collected materials on Surrealism privately under the title "American Surrealist Initiative."

Provenance

Donated 1982-1988 by Michael Bell.

Language Note

English , French , Spanish; Castilian .

Funding Note

The processing of this collection received Federal support from the Smithsonian Collections Care and Preservation Fund, administered by the National Collections Program and the Smithsonian Collections Advisory Committee.