The collection is arranged into seven series: Series 1: Biographical Information, circa 1942-1982 (Box 1; 3 Folders) Series 2: Business Records, circa 1936-1983 (Box 1; 8 Folders) Series 3: Writings and Notes, circa 1947-1978 (Box 1; 0.2 linear feet) Series 4: Works of Art, circa 1940s, 1952, after 1958 (Box 1, OV 4; 2 Folders) Series 5: Correspondence, circa 1916-1983 (Box 1; 0.4 linear feet) Series 6: Printed Material, circa 1919-1983 (Box 1-3, OV 4; 1.4 linear feet) Series 7: Photographs, after 1937-circa 1980s (Box 3; 0.8 linear feet)
Access Note / Rights:
The collection has been digitized and is available online via AAA's website.
Summary:
The papers of painter, illustrator, muralist, and political activist William Gropper measure 3.3 linear feet and date from 1916-1983. Almost one-half of the collection consists of printed materials, including full issues of New Masses, Liberator, and Der Hammer , all featuring illustrations by Gropper. Circa 600 letters include those written to Gropper by Frank Crowninshield, Robert Henri, Louis Lozowick, Raphael Soyer, and others. Also found are photographs of Gropper, his family, colleagues, and friends, as well as scattered writings and notes, business records, biographical information, three drawings, and a fabric sample designed by Gropper.
Citation:
William Gropper papers, 1916-1983. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.
Additional Forms:
The papers of William Gropper in the Archives of American Art were digitized in 2007, and total 4578 images.
Funding:
Funding for the processing and digitization of this collection was provided by the Terra Foundation for American Art
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.
Related Materials:
Among the holdings of the Archives of American Art is an oral history interview of William Gropper conducted by Bruce Hooton in 1965. The Louis Lozowick papers contain documentation of Lozowick's research and writings for a biography of Gropper.
The Special Collections Research Center at the Syracuse University Library also holds a collection of William Gropper's papers.
Biography Note:
William Gropper was born on December 3rd, 1897 in the Lower East Side of Manhattan. His family was impoverished and his parents worked in the New York garment factories. To help his family, Gropper took odd jobs throughout New York City. When he was not busy working, Gropper nurtured his artistic talents by drawing cartoons on sidewalks and the sides of buildings.
Language Note:
English .
Provenance:
The collection was donated by Sophie Gropper, Gropper's widow, in 1984.
Digitization Note:
The papers of William Gropper in the Archives of American Art were digitized in 2007. The papers have been scanned in their entirety, and total 4,578 images.
Location Note:
Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution, 750 9th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
Topic:
Muralists -- New York (State) -- New York Search this