Donald H. Karshan (b. 1929) is a print expert and collector who in 1964 established the Museum of Graphic Art, New York City. He was Curator of the Archipenko Collection and Director of the Archipenko Archive from circa 1966 until circa 1973. During this time, Karshan cataloged the estate collection and organized the archives. He was closely involved with the Archipenko memorial exhibition organized by UCLA in 1967 that traveled widely in the United States and an expanded version of the same show that was circulated Europe by the International Art Program of the Smithsonian Institution. Karshan wrote extensively on Archipenko and his oeuvre, including a catalogue raisonné of Archipenko's prints. His book,
The Donald H. Karshan papers relating to Alexander Achipenko measure 1.8 linear feet and date from 1960 to 1973, (bulk dates 1966-1970). Exhibition files consist of records concerning UCLA's
Exhibition files, 1960-1972, include correspondence, photographs, and printed matter relating to UCLA's
General Correspondence, 1966-1973, relates to the Archipenko Collection and the Archipenko Archive, administered by Karshan and includes loan and reference requests, publication permissions, and sales information. Of particular interest is a file on Leopold Survage compiled in 1969 and documenting an attempt to purchase a Survage painting for Mrs. Arhcipenko to donate to the Museum of Modern Art; included is reference material consisting of photocopies of Archipenko's letters to Survage and a letter from Theodore Doesburg, printed matter, and photographs.
Writings by Donald H. Karshan, 1966-1968, consist of research notes and correspondence concerning his catalogue raisonné of Archipenko prints (1974). Also included are manuscripts of published articles and correspondence with editors.
The collection is arranged into three series:
Gift of Frances Archipenko Gray, widow of Alexander Archipenko, 1982. Karshan's files were among the Alexander Archipenko Papers, and have been separated and arranged as a distinct collection.
The collection is open for research. Use requires an appointment and is limited to the Washington, D.C. research facility.
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
The Donald H. Karshan papers relating to Alexander Archipenko, 1920-1973. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.
The collection was processed by Catherine S. Gaines in 2002.
Records regarding
An expanded version of the UCLA memorial exhibition was circulated in Europe between 1969 and 1970 by the Smithsonian's International Art Program. General administrative records regard the production of Karshan's book and its translation, and correspondence concerning the exhibition and arrangements for its showing in five European countries, insurance records, and detailed condition reports. Files specifically relating to each venue include correspondence, photographs, and printed matter, and are arranged by country. French and German editions of
Correspondence, printed matter, and photographs document
This series is arranged into 2 subseries:
Although many of these letters are addressed to Frances Archipenko, they were answered by Donald Karshan who, in his capacity as Curator of the Archipenko Estate Collection and Director of the Archipenko Archive, handled all art-related business matters. Correspondence concerns loans to exhibitions and museums. "Sculpture Correspondence" consists of reference requests, general information and inquiries regarding exhibitions.
Of particular interest is a file about painter Leopold Survage containing photocopies of a letter from Theodore Doesburg and Archipenko's letters to Survage, printed matter, and photographs compiled by Karshan for reference purposes when attempting to purchase a Survage for Frances Archipenko to donate to the Museum of Modern Art in 1969. The Archives of American Art file which includes transcripts of unidentified lectures-possibly by Karshan-about Archipenko's work. Other correspondence of note is with the Whitney Museum of American Art consists of a telegram from Frances Archipenko objecting to
The files are arranged in alphabetical order according to name and/or subject.
Research notes and correspondence relating to Karshan's catalogue raisonné of Archipenko prints published in 1974. Also included are manuscripts of published articles and correspondence with editors; these folders also contain related correspondence, notes, and receipts.