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A Finding Aid to the Imogen Cunningham Papers,

1903-1991, in the Archives of American Art

by Jean Fitzgerald
1995

Contact Information
Reference Department
Archives of American Art
Smithsonian Institution
Washington. D.C. 20560
www.aaa.si.edu/askus
Table of Contents
Collection Overview................................................................................................................ 1
Administrative Information..................................................................................................... 1
Biographical Note....................................................................................................................1
Scope and Content Note........................................................................................................ 2
Arrangement.............................................................................................................................2
Names and Subject Terms..................................................................................................... 2
Series Descriptions/Container Listing.................................................................................. 4
Series 1: Biographical Material, undated, 1907-1981................................................... 4
Series 2: Correspondence, undated, 1909-1991........................................................... 4
Series 3: Personal Business Records, 1944-1976........................................................5
Series 4: Notes, 1959-1968............................................................................................. 6
Series 5: Teaching Files, 1964-1971.............................................................................. 6
Series 6: Writings, circa 1910-1976............................................................................... 7
Series 7: Interview Transcripts, undated, 1951............................................................ 7
Series 8: Printed Material, 1903-1991............................................................................ 8
Series 9: Photographs, 1916-1976................................................................................. 9
Series 10: Oversized Material, undated, 1947-1948, 1967.......................................... 10
Appendix: List of Notable Correspondents from Series 2................................................10
Collection Overview
Repository: Archives of American Art

Creator: Cunningham, Imogen, 1883-1976

Title: Imogen Cunningham papers

Dates: 1903-1991

Quantity: 5.9 linear feet

Abstract: The papers of photographer and teacher Imogen Cunningham, date from
1903 to 1991. The collection measures 5.9 feet of material, including
correspondence, business and financial records, writings, printed matter,
and photographs, and provides a good overview of Cunningham's life and
career.

Administrative Information
Provenance
The collection was donated to the Archives of American Art by Imogen Cunningham in 1974 and 1976,
and by her son, Gryffyd Partridge, in 1991.

Alternative Forms Available


The collection is available on microfilm reels 5034-5041. The microfilm is available for interlibrary
loan.

Processing Information
The collection was processed and the finding aid written by Jean Fitzgerald in 1995. The finding aid was
modified by Stephanie Ashley in 2001 prior to EAD conversion.

Preferred Citation
Imogen Cunningham papers, 1903-1991. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.

Restrictions on Access
The collection is open for research. Patrons must use microfilm copy.

Ownership and Literary Rights


The Imogen Cunningham papers are owned by the Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.
Literary rights as possessed by the donor have been dedicated to public use for research, study, and
scholarship. The collection is subject to all copyright laws.

Biographical Note
Born in Portland, Oregon on April 12, 1883, Cunningham's family moved to Seattle in 1889. Inspired by
Gertrude Kasebier's work, she purchased her first camera in 1901. After studying chemistry and botany at the
University of Washington, she worked for the Edward S. Curtis Studio, Seattle, from 1907 to 1909. Receiving
a scholarship, Cunningham studied for a year at the Technische Hochschule, Dresden.

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Upon her return to Seattle in 1910, she opened a studio and had the first major exhibition of her work at the
Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences in 1912.
In 1915, Cunningham married printmaker Roi Partridge and gave birth to her first son, Gryffyd. Two years
later, her family moved to California, where she gave birth to twin sons, Padraic and Rondal. In 1920, the
family moved to Oakland, where her husband taught at Mills College. During the 1920s, she exhibited her art
work and began photographing plant forms.
Along with Ansel Adams, John Paul Edwards, Sonya Noskowiak, Henry Swift, Willard Van Dyke, and
Edward Weston, Cunningham formed the f/64 Group, a society of purist photographers in 1932. During
the same year she began working for Vanity Fair and other magazines and began a career as a portrait
photographer, including Martha Graham, Cary Grant, Morris Graves, Alfred Stieglitz, and Spencer Tracy as
her subjects. She divorced her husband in 1934.
In 1947, Cunningham established a studio in her San Francisco home, and continued to exhibit extensively
until her death on June 24, 1976.

Scope and Content Note


The papers of photographer and teacher Imogen Cunningham, date from 1903 to 1991. The collection
measures 5.9 feet of material, including correspondence, business and financial records, writings, printed
matter, and photographs, and provides a good overview of Cunningham's life and career. 3.6 linear feet of
correspondence comprise the bulk of the collection.

Arrangement
The collection is arranged into ten series according to material type:
Series 1: Biographical Material, 1907-1981, undated (box 1; 4 folders)
Series 2: Correspondence, 1909-1991, undated (boxes 1-4; 3.6 linear feet)
Series 3: Personal Business Records, 1944-1976 (box 4; 15 folders)
Series 4: Notes, 1959-1968 (box 4; 10 folders)
Series 5: Teaching Files, 1964-1971 (box 5; 4 folders)
Series 6: Writings, circa 1910-1976 (box 5; 21 folders)
Series 7: Interview Transcripts, 1951, undated (box 5; 2 folders)
Series 8: Printed Material, 1903-1991 (boxes 5-7; 1.2 linear feet)
Series 9: Photographs, 1916-1976 (box 7; 12 folders)
Series 10: Oversized Material, 1947-1948, 1967, undated

Names and Subject Terms


This collection is indexed in the online catalog of the Archives of American Art under the following terms:
Subjects:
Photographers
Photographers--California--San Francisco Bay Area
Photography, Artistic
Portrait photography
Women photographers
Types of Materials:
Illustrated letters
Interviews
Photographs
Names:
Aalto, Alvar, 1898-1976

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Adams, Ansel, 1902-1984
Andreson, Laura
Bissantz, Edgar, 1901-
Bourke-White, Margaret, 1904-1971
Bristol, Horace
Bullock, Wynn
Butler, John Davidson, 1890-1974
Coburn, Alvin Langdon, 1882-1966
Feininger, Lyonel, 1871-1956
George Eastman House
Graves, Morris, 1910-
Group f.64.
Hellman, Lillian, 1905-1984
Henry Art Gallery
Kanaga, Consuelo, 1894-
Lange, Dorothea
Mann, Margery
Moholy-Nagy, László, 1895-1946
Newhall, Beaumont, 1908-1993
Newman, Arnold, 1918-2006
Noskowiak, Sonya, d. 1975
O'Keeffe, Georgia, 1887-1986
Partridge, Roi, 1888-1984
Schoener, Allon
Sheeler, Charles, 1883-1965
Steichen, Edward, 1879-1973
Steinert, Otto, 1915-
Strand, Paul, 1890-1976
Struss, Karl, 1886-
Toklas, Alice B.
Van Dyke, Willard
Weston, Edward, 1886-1958
White, Minor
Witkin, Lee D.
Witkin Gallery
Zorach, William, 1887-1966

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Series Descriptions/Container Listing

Series 1: Biographical Material, undated, 1907-1981


4 folders; (Box 1)
This series includes a hand-written birth certificate signed by Cunningham's parents (1934), an affidavit of birth
(1950), five biographical sketches, four award certificates, a diploma for an honorary degree of Doctor of Fine Arts
from the California College of Arts and Crafts, and miscellaneous family tree information. A copy of a letter from
the Cunningham Family Bible, dated Apr 30, 1956, and a letter from Roger Cunningham dated August 8, 1968 that
provides genealogical information, can be found in Series 2: Correspondence.

Biographical materials are on reel 5034.

Box Folder
1 1-3 Biographical Material, 1907-1981
1 4 Miscellaneous Family Tree Information, undated, 1970

Series 2: Correspondence, undated, 1909-1991


3.6 linear feet; (Boxes 1-4)
Correspondence found in this series is with both family members and business colleagues, reflecting both aspects of
Cunningham's life.

See Appendix: List of Notable Correspondents from Series 2.

Correspondence is arranged chronologically with undated correspondence at the beginning of the series, followed by
dated correspondence.

Box Folder
1 5 Unidentified Correspondents, undated
Reel 5034
1 6 Surnames Unknown, undated
Reel 5034
1 7-10 Surnames Known, A-P, undated
Reel 5034
1 11 Gryffyd Partridge Family, undated
Reel 5034
1 12 Padriac Partridge Family, undated
Reel 5034
1 13 Roi Partridge, undated
Reel 5034
1 14 Rondal Partridge Family, undated
Reel 5034
1 15-16 Surnames Known, P-Z, undated
Reel 5034
1 17-63 Correspondence, 1909-May 1956
Reel 5034

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1 64-99 Correspondence, July 1956-1961
Reel 5035

Box Folder
2 1-21 Correspondence, 1962-Sept. 1964
Reel 5035
2 22-67 Correspondence, Oct. 1964-Dec. 1968
Reel 5036
2 68-78 Correspondence, Jan. 1969-Aug. 1969
Reel 5037

Box Folder
3 1-43 Correspondence, Sept. 1969-Sept. 1971
Reel 5037
3 44-82 Correspondence, Oct. 1971-Feb. 1974
Reel 5038

Box Folder
4 1-22 Correspondence, March 1974-Jan. 1975
Reel 5038
4 23-46 Correspondence, Feb. 1975-1976
Reel 5039
4 47 Correspondence, 1977-1982
Reel 5039
4 48 Correspondence, 1983
Reel 5039
4 49 Correspondence, 1984-1991
Reel 5039
4 50 Correspondence, 1931-1976
Unfilmed addition

Series 3: Personal Business Records, 1944-1976


15 folders; (Box 4)
This series consists of legal documents including loan agreements, Cunningham's will, insurance policies, and
financial material such as bank account records, check registers, household accounts, and records of the Imogen
Cunningham Trust.

Personal business records are on reel 5039.

Box Folder
Legal documents
4 51 Deposit receipts for real estate, 1944-1946
4 52 Loan agreements, 1954-1975
4 53 Permission contracts to reproduce art work, 1957-1974

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4 54 Imogen Cunningham's will, 1962
4 55 Teaching contracts, 1969-1972
4 56 Insurance policies, 1973-1975
4 57 Petition for estate of Paula Daveney, 1976
Financial Material
4 58 Bank account records, 1944-1973
4 59 Check registers, 1966-1968
4 60 Sales and gift records, 1954-1975
4 61 Household accounts, 1950-1953
4 62 Stocks, 1957-1970
4 63 Imogen Cunningham Trust (see entry under Correspondence), 1974-1976
4 64 Medical receipts, 1976
4 65 Miscellaneous financial material, undated, 1973

Series 4: Notes, 1959-1968


10 folders; (Box 4)
This series includes address books, a notebook, lecture notes, passenger lists, and a packing list for a circulating
exhibition.

Notes are on reel 5039.

Box Folder
4 66-68 Address books, undated
(4 books)
4 69 Notebook, undated
4 70 Lecture notes, undated
4 71 Passenger lists (2), 1960
4 72 Packing list for circulating exhibition, circa 1965
4 73 Jane Foster's notes: Excerpts from My Ten Years as a Counterspy by Boris Morros, 1959
4 74 Notes on household appliances, undated
4 75 Miscellaneous notes, undated, 1968
4 76 Address book, undated
Unfilmed addition

Series 5: Teaching Files, 1964-1971


4 folders; (Box 5)
These files contain photographs of students and their critiques of their own work in class. Teaching contracts can be
found in Series 3: Personal Business Records.

Teaching files are on reel 5039.

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Box Folder
5 1-4 Teaching Files, 1964-1971

Series 6: Writings, circa 1910-1976


21 folders; (Box 5)
This series includes essays and speeches by Cunningham and miscellaneous writings by others.

Writings are on reel 5039.

Box Folder
Writings by Cunningham
5 5 "About the Direct-Development of Platinum Papers for Brown Tones," circa 1910
5 6 Speech upon receiving California College of Arts and Crafts Degree, 1968
5 7 Miscellaneous writings, undated, 1958
Writings by Others
5 8 Exhibition captions by unidentified authors, undated
5 9 "Draft Letter: Photographer's Rights" by unidentified author, undated
5 10 "The Aspen Photo Conference" by Beaumont Newhall, 1951
5 11 Script: "Visit with Imogen Cunningham," the Jane Todd Program, KCBS Radio, July
1952
5 12 Script: "Art Festival #2; This is San Francisco," KCBS Radio, September 17, 1955
5 13 "Photography and the Critic" by Margery Mann, 1968
5 14 Review by Carol Atkins of book Imogen Cunningham: Photographs, 1970
5 15 Review by Steve Carr of book Imogen Cunningham: Photographs, 1970
5 16 Review by G. Goodger-Hill of book Imogen Cunningham: Photographs, 1970
5 17 Review by Jochen W. Hagberg of book Imogen Cunningham: Photographs, 1970
5 18 Review by Paul Neevel of book Imogen Cunningham: Photographs, 1970
5 19 Review by Lynn Reese of book Imogen Cunningham: Photographs, 1970
5 20 Typescript by David Haberstich for exhibition catalog "The Camera and the Human
Facade," 1970
5 21 Typescript by Margery Mann for exhibition announcement, 1973
5 22 "Notes on a 'Notebook' " by Peter Nicastro, 1973
5 23 "Imogen in Utopia" by unidentified author, circa 1974
5 24 Transcript of speech by Ernie Laszlo honoring Dr. Karl Struss, Apr 29, 1974
5 25 "Portrait: Active American - Imogen Cunningham" by Leif Wigh, 1976

Series 7: Interview Transcripts, undated, 1951


2 folders; (Box 5)
This series contains transcripts of a video interview and of a radio interview.

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Box Folder
5 26 Unidentified video interview, undated
Reel 5039
5 27 Radio interview: "Standard Brands, Woman's Magazine of the Air," Apr 20, 1951
Reel 5040

Series 8: Printed Material, 1903-1991


1.2 linear feet; (Boxes 5-7)
This series include clippings, exhibition announcements and catalogs, press releases, calendars of events, programs,
brochures, and reproductions of art work.

Clippings are on reel 5040. All other printed materials are on reel 5041.

Box Folder
5 28-84 Clippings, 1913-1991
5 85-97 Exhibition announcements and catalogs for Cunningham, undated, 1914-1971
5 98-100 Exhibition announcements and catalogs for Cunningham, 1971-1981

Box Folder
6 1-2 Exhibition announcements and catalogs for Cunningham, 1982-1991

Box Folder
6 3-7 Exhibition announcements and catalogs for others, 1941-1990

Box Folder
6 8-9 Press releases, 1955-1978

Box Folder
6 10-12 Calendars of events, 1965-1985

Box Folder
6 13-14 Programs, 1954-1989
6 15 Brochures for Guggenheim fellowships, 1967-1970

Box Folder
6 16 Brochures for art museums and galleries, undated, 1973-1976

Box Folder
7 1 Brochures for art museums and galleries, undated, 1973-1976

Box Folder
7 2-6 Brochures for schools and workshops, undated, 1931-1973

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Box Folder
7 7 Brochures for publications, concerning Cunningham, undated, 1973-1979
7 8 Brochures for publications, concerning others, undated, 1978

Box Folder
7 9 Brochures concerning individuals, undated, 1970
(Alice Eastwood and S. Groswold Morley)

Box Folder
7 10 Brochures for University of California at Berkeley Libraries, 1965-1985
7 11 Miscellaneous brochures, undated
7 12 Reproductions of art work, undated

Box Folder
7 13 Miscellaneous printed material, 1903-1967

Series 9: Photographs, 1916-1976


12 folders
The photographs in this series are of Cunningham, family members, friends, residences, gallery openings and
installations, and art work by others. Four unstable silver printing out images of an unidentified elderly woman have
not been microfilmed. For records relating to photographs of friends, see also Series 2: Correspondence (Dresden,
Maud) for 2 postcard photographs of Dresden with Cunningham and with Omer Foisie dated May 31, 1910.

Photographs are on reel 5041.

Box Folder
7 14 Photographs of Imogen Cunningham (4), 1916-1976

Box Folder
7 15 Photographs of family members, Padraic, Marjorie, and Kayla Partridge (16), 1951-1952

Box Folder
7 16 Photographs of miscellaneous family members (5), undated and 1965

Box Folder
7 17 Photographs of residences (32), circa 1946

Box Folder
7 18 Photographs of miscellaneous friends (15), 1925-1968

Box Folder
7 19 Photographs of unidentified children, undated

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Box Folder
7 20-21 Photographs of the gallery opening at Mount Angel Abbey (22), 1971

Box Folder
7 22-23 Photographs of gallery installations (58), 1969-1970

Box Folder
7 24 Photographs of award ceremonies (5), 1973

Box Folder
7 25 Photographs of art works by others (3), undated

Series 10: Oversized Material, undated, 1947-1948, 1967

Box
OV 8 5 Imogen Cunningham Garden Plats, undated, 1947-1948
OV 8 Concert Poster, undated
OV 8 1967 Wall Calendar signed by Cunningham, 1967

Appendix: List of Notable Correspondents from Series 2


The following provides a list of notable correspondents from Series 2: Correspondence, showing dates of
correspondence. Entries marked with an asterisk (*) indicate letters written by Imogen Cunningham.

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