Archives of American Art
Neil Juhl Larsen research material on Charles Biederman
Larsen, Neil Juhl
AAA.larsneil
Archival Resource Key
9.4 Linear feet
circa 1927-2011
The Neil Juhl Larsen research material on Charles Biederman measures 9.4 linear feet and dates from circa 1927-2011. The material was compiled primarily by Neil Juhl Larsen in preparation for his biography, Charles Biederman (Hudson Hills Press, 2011). Also included is a small amount of material compiled by art historian Susan Larsen (no relation to Neil), who completed the book after Neil Larsen's death in 2006. The bulk of the research material consists of original papers belonging to Charles Biederman, including biographical material, correspondence, writings, personal business records, printed material, and photographs. These papers were given to Neil Juhl Larsen by Biederman and his daughter Anna Biederman Brown.
Collection is in English.
Arrangement
This collection is arranged as 2 series.
Missing Title
- Series 1: Charles Biederman Papers, circa 1927-2004 (Boxes 1-6; 6.0 linear feet)
- Series 2: Research Files, circa 1941-2011 (Boxes 7-10; 3.4 linear feet)
Conditions Governing Access
Use of original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Washington, D.C. Research Center.
Terms of Use
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.
Existence and Location of Originals
Originals of document photocopies and photographs of artwork found in this collection are located at the Weisman Art Museum, University of Minnesota.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The collection was donated in 2012 by Susan M. Fridley, Neil Juhl Larsen's widow. Original material came directly from Charles Biederman and his daughter Anna Biederman Brown for the purposes of completing Biederman's biography and was compiled by Neil Larsen, and after his death, by Susan Larsen.
Preferred Citation
Neil Juhl Larsen research material on Charles Biederman, circa 1927-2011. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.
Processing Information
The collection was processed to a minimal level and a finding aid prepared by Erin Kinhart in 2014. The collection was minimally rearranged and retaind the existing/original folder titles when possible. All materials have been rehoused in archival folders and boxes for long-term stability, but not all staples and other fasteners were removed. Items within folders have not been rearranged.
Related Materials
Also in the Archives of American Art are 23 reels of microfilm (reels 1446-1450 and 1662-1679) of the Charles Biederman papers, loaned for microfilming in 1978-1979. The Biederman papers are now located at the Weisman Art Museum, University of Minnesota. Additionally, the Archives of American Art holds the microfilm of the David Barr papers relating to Charles Biederman (reel 1294), and an oral history interview with Charles Biederman, conducted 1976 May 6, by Paul Cummings.
Biographical / Historical
Neil Juhl Larsen (1956-2006) was a writer, artist, friend, and biographer of modernist painter and sculptor Charles Biederman (1906-2004). Larsen died in 2006 while preparing the biography, and the project was turned over to art historian Susan Larsen (no relation to Neil), who had written on Biederman as well. The biography, Charles Biederman, was published in 2011.
Scope and Contents
The Neil Juhl Larsen research material on Charles Biederman measures 9.4 linear feet and dates from circa 1927-2011. The material was compiled primarily by Neil Juhl Larsen in preparation for his biography, Charles Biederman (Hudson Hills Press, 2011). Also included is a small amount of material compiled by art historian Susan Larsen (no relation to Neil), who completed the book after Neil Larsen's death in 2006. The bulk of the research material consists of original papers belonging to Charles Biederman, including biographical material, correspondence, writings, personal business records, printed material, and photographs. These papers were given to Neil Juhl Larsen by Biederman and his daughter Anna Biederman Brown.
Photographs
Modernism (Art)
Sculptors -- Minnesota
Painters -- Minnesota
Larsen, Susan C.
Biederman, Charles Joseph, 1906-2004
Charles Biederman Papers
Series 1
Archival Resource Key
6 Linear feet
Boxes 1-6
circa 1927-2004
Arrangement
The series is arranged as 6 subseries.
Missing Title
- 1.1: Biographical Material, 1932-2004
- 1.2: Correspondence, 1935-2004
- 1.3: Writings, 1950-2004
- 1.4: Personal Business Records, 1960-2001
- 1.5: Printed Material, 1933-1996
- 1.6: Photographs, circa 1927-2003
Scope and Contents
The Charles Biederman papers consists of biographical material, correspondence, writings, personal papers, printed material, and photographs which were given to Neil Juhl Larsen during the course of his work on the book Charles Biederman. While most papers are original, some of the writings and correspondence are photocopies.
Biographical Material
1.1
Archival Resource Key
1932-2004
Scope and Contents
Found here is scattered biographical material regarding Charles Biederman including various resumes, chronologies and biographical content for Biederman's website. Also found are thoughts on Biederman written by his wife Mary, caregiver notes and recollections, a list of books in Biederman's library, and an oral history interview transcript. Researchers should note that additional documents such as one address book, estate and selective service records, and passports are primarily photocopies of originals.
Address Book
Archival Resource Key
undated
1
1
Archives of American Art Oral History Transcript
Archival Resource Key
1976
1
2
Biographical Resumes and Chronologies
Archival Resource Key
1969-1976
1
3
Books in Personal Library
Archival Resource Key
1999-2000
1
4
Caregiver's Journal and Various Personal Recollections
Archival Resource Key
2002-2004
1
5
Estate Planning
Archival Resource Key
1978
1
6
Passports
Archival Resource Key
1932-1988
1
7
Selective Service
Archival Resource Key
1941-1945
1
8
Thoughts on Charles Written by Mary Biederman
Archival Resource Key
1936
1
9
Website Content
Archival Resource Key
2001
1
10
Correspondence
1.2
Archival Resource Key
1935-2004
Scope and Contents
The majority of correspondence is between Charles Biederman, his wife Mary, and daughter Anna. Included are "Morning Notes" which Biederman would write late at night in his studio and leave on the breakfast table for Mary and Anna to read in the morning. Many of these are illustrated. Also included is correspondence with Mary's brother-in-law and sister, John and Eugenie Anderson. John Anderson was also an patron of Biederman's early artistic work. Additional correspondence of note is with writers Leif Sjoberg, Joan Waddell Barnes, and artist Jean Albert Gorin. The bulk of the correspondence found here is either photocopies or typescripts of originals.
Anderson, John and Eugenie
Archival Resource Key
1935-1942
1
11-19
Barnes, Joan Waddell - Excerpts from Letters
Archival Resource Key
1941-1942
1
20-21
Biederman, Anna
Archival Resource Key
1952
1955
1961-1969
1
22-34
Biederman, Mary
Archival Resource Key
1940
1
35-38
Biederman, Mary
Archival Resource Key
1941-1974
2
1-18
Biederman, Mary
Archival Resource Key
undated
2
19
"Morning Notes" to Mary and Anna Biederman
Archival Resource Key
1950s
2
20-24
Gorin, Jean Albert
Archival Resource Key
1946-1952
2
25-27
Minneapolis Institute of Arts
Archival Resource Key
1976
2
28
Sjoberg, Leif
Archival Resource Key
1969-1979
2
29-30
Zabriskie Gallery
Archival Resource Key
1972
2
31
Miscellaneous Correspondence
Archival Resource Key
1940-2004
2
32
Writings
1.3
Archival Resource Key
1950-2004
Scope and Contents
Writings include notebooks, notes, poetry, essays, and other draft writings by Charles Biederman. Most of the writings are on nature. Researchers should note that most of these documents are photocopies of originals, especially writings dating before 1995.
Notebook
Archival Resource Key
1950-1988
2
33
Notebook
Archival Resource Key
circa 2004
2
34
Notes From Nature
Archival Resource Key
1957-1990
2
35-39
Notes
Archival Resource Key
1960-2003
3
1-5
Notes
Archival Resource Key
circa 1995-1999
3
6-7
Notes
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
8
Poems
Archival Resource Key
circa 1961-1976
3
9
Journal LLL Art & Music
Archival Resource Key
circa 1951-1953
3
10
"Art and Literature as Creation"
Archival Resource Key
1957-1959
3
11
"The Creative Process of Nature"
Archival Resource Key
1960
3
12
"The Creative Structural Process of Nature Part II"
Archival Resource Key
1963
3
13
Various Writings
Archival Resource Key
1959-2003
3
14-25
Writings by David Bohm, Annotated by Charles Biederman
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
26
Personal Business Records
1.4
Archival Resource Key
1960-2001
Scope and Contents
Found here is a small amount of Charles Biederman's personal business records, including his dealings with the Archives of American Art and Weisman Art Museum, reproduction agreements, and deeds of gift for his artwork to various individuals.
Archives of American Art
Archival Resource Key
1973-1998
3
27
Deeds of Gift
Archival Resource Key
1960-2001
3
28
Permissions to Reproduce for Search For New Arts
Archival Resource Key
1976-1980
3
29-32
Reproduction Agreements
Archival Resource Key
1976-2001
3
33
Weisman Art Museum Agreements
Archival Resource Key
1991-2001
3
34-36
Miscellaneous Business Records
Archival Resource Key
circa 1992
4
1
Printed Material
1.5
Archival Resource Key
1933-1996
Scope and Contents
Printed material primarily consists of exhibition catalogs and announcements for Biederman's work, as well as a few press releases, conference publications, and magazines. Also included is one book containing annotations by Biederman.
Annotated Book, Science and Sanity by Alfred Korzybski
Archival Resource Key
1933
4
2
Exhibition Catalogs and Announcements
Archival Resource Key
1936-1941
4
3
Exhibition Catalogs and Announcements
Archival Resource Key
1962-1996
4
4-14
Press Release
Archival Resource Key
1965
4
15
Pro Conference Publications
Archival Resource Key
1987-1992
4
16
Magazines
Archival Resource Key
1966-1978
1942
4
17
Structure Magazine
Archival Resource Key
1958-1964
4
18-19
Photographs
1.6
Archival Resource Key
circa 1927-2003
Scope and Contents
Numerous photographs depict Charles Biederman, his wife Mary and daugther Anna, thier home and studio, and exhibitions of his work. Also included are photographs of friends and family and Biederman's 1988 trip to Europe, as well as photographs, slides, transparencies, and negatives of Biederman's artwork.
Charles Biederman
Archival Resource Key
1936-2000s
4
20-26
Charles, Mary, and Anna Biederman
Archival Resource Key
circa 1940s-1960s
4
27
Charles Biederman with Others
Archival Resource Key
circa 1927-1990s
4
28
Anna Biederman
Archival Resource Key
1940s-1960s
4
29
Others
Archival Resource Key
circa 1927-2002
4
30
Biederman Home and Studio
Archival Resource Key
circa 1950s-2000s
4
31
Visit to Europe
Archival Resource Key
1988
4
32-33
Exhibition Installation at Hayward Gallery
Archival Resource Key
1969
4
34
Exhibition Installations
Archival Resource Key
1998
undated
5
1-2
Exhibition Opening at Cedar Rapids Museum of Art
Archival Resource Key
2003
5
3-4
Miscellaneous Personal Photographs
Archival Resource Key
circa 1940s-1990s
5
5
Photographs and Transparencies for "Search for New Arts"
Archival Resource Key
circa 1950s-1970s
5
6
Photographs of Artwork
Archival Resource Key
1938-1960s
5
7-22
Photographs of Artwork
Archival Resource Key
circa 1930s-2002
6
1-14
Photographs of Artwork by Others
Archival Resource Key
circa 1950s-1960s
6
15
Photographs of String Reliefs
Archival Resource Key
1950s-1960s
6
16
Slides
Archival Resource Key
circa 1958-1990s
6
17-22
Transparencies and Negatives
Archival Resource Key
circa 1950s-1990s
6
23-24
Research Files
Series 2
Archival Resource Key
3.4 Linear feet
Boxes 7-10
circa 1941-2011
Scope and Contents
Found here are Neil Juhl Larsen's research files regarding Charles Biederman compiled during his work on the book Charles Biederman, which was published in 2011 after Larsen's death. A small amount of material compiled or annotated by Susan Larsen for the completion of the book is also included. Files contain notes, annotated photocopies of original documents, articles on Biederman, photographs, and a small amount of correspondence. Research files document many aspects of Biederman's life and career, including extensive documentation on his artwork and writings, as well as related subject matter. Of note is a research binder belonging to Neil Juhl Larsen which includes original correspondence with Biederman, photographs, and other material documenting their collaboration on this book project. Researchers should note that much of the research material is photocopies which are often annotated by Larsen. Also included is a set of color snapshots of preliminary sketches, artworks on paper, designs, and drawings by Charles Biederman.
Architecture
Archival Resource Key
circa 2000s
7
1
Art Production and Sales
Archival Resource Key
circa 2002
7
2
Articles about Charles Biederman (1934-1999)
Archival Resource Key
1963-2000s
7
3-18
Awards
Archival Resource Key
1998-2000s
7
19
Background, Family, Youth
Archival Resource Key
2007-2009
7
20
British Structurism
Archival Resource Key
1957-2000s
7
21
Copyright
Archival Resource Key
circa 1979-2000
7
22
Correspondence Regarding Book Project
Archival Resource Key
2001-2009
7
23
Death, Wills, Etc.
Archival Resource Key
1999-2005
7
24
Exhibitions
Archival Resource Key
circa 2000s
2011
7
25
Interviews
Archival Resource Key
circa 2000s
7
26
Internet Articles
Archival Resource Key
2005-2009
7
27
Inventory, Charles Biederman Preliminary Studies
Archival Resource Key
2005
7
28-29
Jan Van der Marck Files on Charles Biederman
Archival Resource Key
1963-2005
7
30-34
Jan Van der Marck Interview
Archival Resource Key
circa 2000s
7
35
Jordan Court
Archival Resource Key
2000s
circa 1973
7
36
List of Published Articles by Charles Biederman
Archival Resource Key
circa 2001
7
37
Mary Biederman's Journals, Excerpts and Photocopies
Archival Resource Key
circa 2000s
7
38
Miscellaneous Articles
Archival Resource Key
circa 1940s-2005
7
39
Miscellaneous Documents
Archival Resource Key
circa 1990s-2000s
7
40
Museums
Archival Resource Key
1996-2004
7
41
North American Structurism
Archival Resource Key
2000s
1968
8
1
Notebook of Charles Biederman Quotes
Archival Resource Key
1998-2001
8
2
Notes from Conversations with Charles Biederman
Archival Resource Key
2005
8
3
Obituaries
Archival Resource Key
2004-2005
8
4
Photographs of Artwork
Archival Resource Key
2000s
8
5-20
Scope and Contents
Color snapshots of preliminary sketches, artworks on paper, designs, and drawings by Charles Biederman. Photographs also includes annotations by Biederman.
Photographs of Artwork
Archival Resource Key
2000s
9
1-14
Scope and Contents
Color snapshots of preliminary sketches, artworks on paper, designs, and drawings by Charles Biederman. Photographs also includes annotations by Biederman.
Printed Material on Related Subject Matter
Archival Resource Key
1950-200s
9
15
Published Writings by Charles Biederman
Archival Resource Key
1942-2000s
9
16-20
Red Wing Public Library
Archival Resource Key
circa 1990s
9
21
Reproductions of Artwork
Archival Resource Key
circa 1990s-2009
9
22
Research Binder
Archival Resource Key
1993-2000s
9
23
Scope and Contents
Includes photographs, correspondence between Larsen and Biederman, and original writings by Biederman.
Research on Individuals
Archival Resource Key
Joost Baljeu
Archival Resource Key
2006
9
24
Joan Saugrain Brendendieck
Archival Resource Key
1965-2005
9
25
Wilma Crittenden
Archival Resource Key
2000s
9
26
Jean Gorin
Archival Resource Key
2000s
9
27
Beatrice Chinnock Grabbe
Archival Resource Key
2000s
9
28
Malcolm McCannel
Archival Resource Key
1997
9
29
George L. K. Morris
Archival Resource Key
circa 1941
9
30
Victor Pasmore
Archival Resource Key
1998
10
1
George Rickey
Archival Resource Key
2000s
10
2
Jean Sabo
Archival Resource Key
2000s
10
3
Leif Sjoberg
Archival Resource Key
1998-2000s
10
4
Charles Stinson
Archival Resource Key
circa 2000s
10
5
Jan Van der Marck
Archival Resource Key
2000-2005
1966
10
6
Aspasia Voulis
Archival Resource Key
1963
2000s
1966
10
7
Gillian Wise
Archival Resource Key
circa 1967
2000s
10
8
Research on Writings
Archival Resource Key
"Art As the Evolution of Visual Knowledge"
Archival Resource Key
2000s
10
9
"Art As Humanization of Science"
Archival Resource Key
circa 1998
10
10
"Nature Art Anew"
Archival Resource Key
circa 2000s
10
11
"The New Cezanne"
Archival Resource Key
1958
1975
2000s
10
12
"Search For New Arts"
Archival Resource Key
circa 1981-1982
10
13
"Visual Millenium"
Archival Resource Key
2000
10
14
Thesis, "The Art of Charles Biederman," David Lee Craven
Archival Resource Key
2006
1979
10
15-16
Thesis, "The Search for a Constructive Art," David John Barr (1965)
Archival Resource Key
circa 2000s
10
17
Visit to Europe
Archival Resource Key
2000s
1988
10
18
Weisman Art Museum
Archival Resource Key
1998-2005
10
19-20
Weisman Art Museum, Inventory of Archival Material
Archival Resource Key
2005
10
21
Weisman Art Museum, Memorial Service
Archival Resource Key
2005
10
22