The collection is arranged as 9 series. Glass plate negatives are housed separately and closed to researchers. Series 1: Biographical Material, 1940s-1980s (12 folders; Boxes 1, 33) Series 2: Correspondence, 1940s-1988 (3.6 linear feet; Boxes 1-4) Series 3: Interviews, 1961-circa 1970s (8 folders; Box 4) Series 4: Writings and Notes, 1950s-1980s (2.8 linear feet; Box 7) Series 5: Project/Client Files, 1950s-1987 (13.8 linear feet; Boxes 7-20) Series 6: Teaching and Reference Files, 1940s-1980s (3.9 linear feet; Boxes 20-24) Series 7: Personal Business Records, 1950s (0.6 linear feet; Boxes 24-25) Series 8: Printed Material, 1937-1970s (0.6 linear feet; Boxes 25, 33) Series 9: Photographic Material, 1940s-1980s (8.4 linear feet; Boxes 25-36, OV 37, MGP 1)
Access Note / Rights:
Use of original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Washington D.C. research center. Use of audiovisual recordings with no duplicate access copy requires advance notice.
Summary:
The papers of Chicago art conservator, Louis Pomerantz, measure 34.2 linear feet and date from 1937 to 1988, with the bulk of the material dating from the 1950s-1980s. The papers document two principal aspects of Pomerantz's professional life: his conservation work for institutions and individuals, and the development of his professional expertise as documented through his writings and teachings, his continued conservation training, and his involvement in professional organizations. Files include scattered biographical material, professional correspondence, interviews, writings, project and client files, teaching and reference files, printed material, and photographic material primarily documenting conservation treatments and techniques.
Citation:
Louis Pomerantz papers, 1937-1988, bulk 1950-1988. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.
Funding:
Funding for the processing of this collection is provided by the Terra Foundation for American Art. Glass plate negatives in this collection were digitized in 2019 with funding provided by the Smithsonian Women's Committee.
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:
Chicago art conservator Louis Pomerantz (1919-1988), established and operated the conservation lab at the Art Institute of Chicago and then maintained a private practice conducting conservation work for individual collectors and various museums and art institutions in the midwest.
Language Note:
The bulk of the collection is in English.
Provenance:
The Louis Pomerantz papers were donated to the Archives of American Art by Else Pomerantz in 1988.
Location Note:
Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution, 750 9th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20001