Sears Gallagher papers, circa 1882-2010

Collection Information

Size: 1.1 Linear feet

Summary: The papers of draftsman, printmaker, and illustrator, Sears Gallagher measure 1.1 linear feet and date from circa 1882-2010. The collection consists of biographical information including awards and a scholarly biography; correspondence, primarily professional in nature, documenting the placement of works; professional files that document the management of studio practices including the printmaking process and the distribution and sale of prints; scrapbooks chronicling Gallagher's professional and family history in the form of clippings, photographs, and correspondence; printed material including clippings and commercial prints of watercolors; photographs including those of the artist and his studio; and artwork including numerous drawings on paper and sketchbooks documenting key moments of travel and artistic production.

Biographical/Historical Note

Sears Gallagher (1869-1955) was a draftsman, printmaker, and illustrator born in Boston. After displaying considerable artistic talent in drawing as a child, Gallagher went on to study with the Italian-born Boston-based painter Tommaso Juglaris (18441925) from 1887 to 1889. Shortly after marrying Charlotte Dodge in 1895 the couple embarked for Paris where Gallagher pursued further artistic training at the Academie Julian. Gallagher's style evolved with an influence of the French Impressionists, and two of his watercolors were featured in the 1896 Paris Salon. Sears Gallagher achieved considerable popular success thanks to the sales and publishing of his prints, and he exhibited regularly in Boston with occasional shows in New York City until the 1940s. Gallagher was a founder of the Monhegan art colony in Maine, which is the setting of many of his popular works.

Provenance

The Sears Gallagher papers were donated to the Archives of American Art in 2018 by Anne Burr Czepiel, granddaughter of Sears Gallagher.

Language Note

English .