Charles L. Schucker (1908-1998), an abstract painter known for poured oil paintings on unprimed canvases, began his career in Chicago with the WPA before moving to New York City in 1946. He was also an educator and taught at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York for nearly 30 years.
Lent for microfilming in 1971 by Charles Schucker and later donated with additional audio and video recordings in August 2011 by Carrie Schucker, the artist's daughter.
Portions of the collection are available on 35 mm microfilm reels 80-81 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.
This collection was processed to a minimal level and a finding aid prepared in 2013 by Rachel Salzmann. The Archives of American Art has implemented minimal processing tactics when possible in order to increase information about and access to more of our collections.
Minimal processing included arrangement to the series, subseries, and folder levels. Generally, items within folders were simply verified with folder titles, but not arranged further. Folders within boxes were not numbered. The collection was rehoused in archival containers and folders, but not all staples and clips were removed.
The Charles Schucker Papers, 1934-2001. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.
Use of original papers requires an appointment. Use of archival audiovisual recordings with no duplicate access copy requires advance notice.
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The papers of New York abstract painter and educator Charles Schucker measure 1.2 linear and date from 1934 to 2001. Schucker's career as a painter is documented by biographical material, letters, writings, subject files, printed material, artwork, and photographs.
Biographical material includes a video recording of a memorial tribute. Letters mostly relate to business arrangements with galleries and institutions. Among Schucker's writings are 9 notebooks, some of which include notes from his study abroad. Writings about Schucker include an unpublished manuscript by Valerie Velasquez Louzonis in which she discusses his childhood, travels, and his start as an artist. Subject files touch upon his association with Pratt Institute, Katonah Museum of Art, Yaddo, various galleries, his work with the Chicago WPA, and his friendship with Morris Louis. Over 60 years of artistic work are documented in exhibition catalogs and announcements. Artwork and sketchbooks from the 1930s and 1940s offer a glimpse of his earlier style of drawing.
The collection is arranged in 7 series:
This series includes one videocassette recording of Schucker's memorial service, his marriage certificate and a citation from the Brooklyn borough president. Also included are personal and professional financial records.
This series contains mostly incoming letters regarding business with galleries and institutions.
Additional letters and correspondence can be found in series 4: subject files.
This series contains 9 notebooks from the 1930s to the 1990s. Included are a research notebook from the 1930s with a pencil sketch on back page of Chicago's skyline along Lake Michigan, 4 notebooks about travels to Europe in the 1930s and 1940s, and anatomy notes from Rockefeller University circa 1930s.
Writings about Schucker include a 44 page unpublished manuscript by Valerie Velasquez Louzonis.
Subject files contain letters, correspondence, agreements, sales contracts, some press releases and clippings, and photographs of works of art. Also found are 2 videocassettes and 1 sound cassette. The Chicago file contains a civil service job application. Schucker was a member of Yaddo; that file includes a guest list, letters, by-laws, notices, and profiles of prospective members.
This is series is arranged alphabetically by folder title.
Printed material relates to Schucker's artwork and includes group exhibition catalogs, invitations, announcements, and clippings. Also found are items related to the centennial exhibition for the Brooklyn Bridge.
Artwork includes 3 pen and ink sketches with some color wash as well as 2 small sketchbooks in both pencil and pen.
Photographs are of Schucker with his artwork.