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
Access Note / Rights:
The collection is open for research. Patrons must use microfilm copy.
Summary:
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.
Citation:
Imogen Cunningham papers, 1903-1991. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.
Additional Forms:
The collection is available on 35 mm microfilm reels 5034-5041 at the Archives of American Art offices and through interlibrary loan. Researchers should note that the arrangement of the material described in the container inventory does not reflect the arrangement of the collection on microfilm.
Use Note:
The Archives of American Art makes its archival collections available for non-commercial, educational and personal use unless restricted by copyright and/or donor restrictions, including but not limited to access and publication restrictions. AAA makes no representations concerning such rights and restrictions and it is the user's responsibility to determine whether rights or restrictions exist and to obtain any necessary permission to access, use, reproduce and publish the collections. Please refer to the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for additional information.
Biography 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.
Language Note:
English .
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.
Location Note:
Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution, 750 9th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20001