Title
Duveen Brothers, London, Paris, New York
Record
Duveen Brothers Records, 1876-1981, Bulk 1909-1939
Description
Completing the GRI's Duveen Brothers Resources, this substantial donation from the Clark Institute in Williamstown, Massachusetts documents the firm's exhibitions and publications of art works and collections as well as the firm's extensive files of documentation, including collectors' files and authentications from art experts. These records cover sales between 1829 and 1965, tracking the foundational periods of American private collections and their role in the formation of American museums. This is a rich resource for scholars, especially those conducting provenance research or researching the history of collecting and taste. For full details click here.
Digitisation of the Records March 2015 - Getty Research Institute Text
Duveen Brothers Text 2007
The Duveen Brothers were art dealers who maintained branches in London, Paris, and New York and were active in the late 19th century through to the mid 20th century. Under the guidance of Joseph Duveen, and assisted by art experts, most notably Bernard Berenson, they were instrumental in the formation of the late 19th to early 20th century collections that became the core of the Frick Collection, the Huntington Art Collections, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the National Gallery of Art. In 1964 Edward Fowles, the last president of Duveen Brothers, sold the business to Los Angeles businessman and collector Norton Simon. Edward Fowles left the firm's records and papers to the Metropolitan Museum of Art but restricted access for 20 years. These were subsequently given by the Metropolitan Museum of Art to the Getty Research Institute, which is preparing microfilm copies of the records, a copy of which will be sent back to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
The records provide a detailed view of the Duveen Brothers business activities in London, Paris, and New York. Although the archive extends from 1876-1981, the bulk of the material dates from Joseph Duveen's tenure as president of the firm, 1909-1939, and the period from 1939 to 1964 when Edward Fowles directed the firm (with Armand Lowengard until 1943). The mass of documents, such as cables and letters, invoices, and ledger and stock books, give a day-by-day account of art dealing, business strategy, and the individuals involved.
Location of Record
Location: Special Collections - Contact Reference
585 boxes
202 microfilm reels
Call Numbers: 960015, 960015*, 960015**
Note: Access closed for microfilming, contact reference library for further information.
Contact Information
The Getty Research Institute for the History of Art and the Humanities - Special Collections and Visual Resources
1200 Getty Center Drive, Suite 1100
Los Angeles, CA
90049-1688
USA
Tel: +1 310 440 7390
Fax: +1 310 440 7780
Email: reference@getty.edu
http://www.getty.edu/research/
Source
Getty Research Library Catalogue, <http://library.getty.edu/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?DB=local&PAGE=First>, first accessed 31 October 2002. Link updated 6 July 2007.
Getty Research Institute Tools and Databases http://www.getty.edu/research/tools/guides_bibliographies/duveen/?utm_source=grinews131&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=grinews131, accessed 27 March 2015
N.H. Yeide, K. Akinsha, A.L. Walsh (eds), AAM Guide to Provenance Research, Washington 2001, p. 222.