Archives of American Art
Esphyr Slobodkina papers
Slobodkina, Esphyr, 1908-2002
Bolotowsky, Ilya, 1907-1981
AAA.slobesph
Archival Resource Key
1.9 Linear feet
circa 1925-1995
The papers of painter, sculptor, author, and illustrator Esphyr Slobodkina measure 1.9 linear feet and date from circa 1925 to 1995. Found within the papers are personal and professional correspondence, including letters from Ilya Bolotowsky, George L.K. Morris, and Paul Kelpe; writings, including a copy of the autobiography Notes for a Biographer (vol. 1); printed materials; photographs; and material on the American Abstract Artists, including administrative records, business correspondence, and publications.
The collection is in English.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Esphyr Slobodkina loaned a portion of her papers for microfilming and donated material in 1970. She gave additional papers between 1995 and 1996.
Separated Materials
The Archives of American Art also holds materials lent for microfilming (N70-61) including a travel album, printed material, notes, McDowell colony correspondence, and an American Abstract Artists financial ledger. Lents materials were returned to the lender and are not described in the collection container inventory.
Additionally, 69 rolled drawings on tracing paper were transferred to Hillwood Art Museum in 2006.
Related Materials
The Archives also holds the American Abstract Artists records.
Existence and Location of Copies
Portions of the collection and material lent for microfilming are available on 35mm microfilm reels N70-54-N70-55, and N70-61 at the Archives of American Art offices and through interlibrary loan. Researchers should note that the arrangement of the collection as described in this finding aid does not reflect the order of the collection on microfilm.
Processing Information
Portions of the papers were microfilmed onto reels N70-54 and N70-55 shortly after receipt. All materials were merged, processed, and described by Judy Ng in 2013 with funding provided by the Terra Foundation for American Art.
Preferred Citation
Esphyr Slobodkina papers, circa 1925-1995. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.
Conditions Governing Access
Use of original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C. Research Center. Contact Reference Services for more information.
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.
Biographical / Historical
Painter, sculptor, author, and illustrator Esphyr Slobodkina (1908-2002) lived and worked in New York City, Great Neck, and Long Island, New York and was known for her abstract art and her children's books, including the seminal Caps For Sale.
Slobodkina was born in Chelyabinsk, Siberia to Solomon Slobodkin and his wife, Itta Agranovich. After the Russian Revolution and Civil War of 1917-1918, her family immigrated to Harbin, Manchuria where her father found work with Standard Oil and her mother contributed to the family's finances by working as a dressmaker. After graduating from high school in 1927, Slobodkina immigrated to the United States to join her brother in New York City where she enrolled at the National Academy of Design.
At the Academy, Slobodkina met her future husband, the artist and fellow Russian émigré Ilya Bolotowsky. In 1936, they became founding members of the American Abstract Artists, an artist run organization that worked to advance abstract art at a time when few opportunities to exhibit their works existed. She served as the organization's first secretary and later served as treasurer, president, and institutional bibliographer.
In 1937, Slobodkina met the children's author Margaret Wise Brown. After seeing her work, Brown invited Slobodkina to illustrate The Little Fireman, the first of their many collaborations together. In 1940, Slobodkina's first published book, Caps For Sale, was released and has remained in print for over 70 years. It won the Lewis Carroll Shelf Award in 1958 and is considered a classic of children's literature.
Slobodkina and Bolotowsky divorced in 1938, after which she continued to produce abstract mixed media paintings and sculptures. Her first major one-person show was organized by the gallery owner A.E. Gallatin in 1940. Through the 1940s and into 1970s, Slobodkina regularly contributed to group exhibitions and her works are owned by numerous institutions, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Whitney Museum, Boston Museum of Fine Arts, and Hillwood Art Museum.
In addition to publishing children's books, Slobodkina authored three volumes of her autobiography, Notes for a Biographer (1976-1983) and edited American Abstract Artists: Its Publications, Catalogs, and Membership (1979) and the folio Ilya Bolotwosky (1985). Active until the end of her life, she oversaw the production of musical audio recordings for her 20 children's books well into her 80s, and at the age of 90, designed a museum financed through the Slobodkina Foundation. She died at her home in Glen Head, Long Island in 2002.
Scope and Contents
The papers of painter, sculptor, author, and illustrator Esphyr Slobodkina measure 1.9 linear feet and date from circa 1925 to 1995. Found within the papers are personal and professional correspondence, including letters from Ilya Bolotowsky, George L.K. Morris, and Paul Kelpe; writings, including a copy of the autobiography Notes for a Biographer (vol. 1); printed materials; photographs; and material on the American Abstract Artists, including administrative records, business correspondence, and publications.
Correspondence is primarily with Slobodkina's family, friends, and business associates. The series includes significant correspondence from her first husband, Ilya Bolotowsky, as well as abstract artists George L.K. Morris, Paul Kelpe, Ruth Eckstein, Leo Rabkin, and Harry Tedlie. The series also includes correspondence regarding her published works.
Writings consist of 3 essays by Slobodkina on abstract art, the autobiography Notes for a Biographer (vol. 1), the edited folio Ilya Bolotowsky, and a small notebook kept by Ilya Bolotowsky during the 1920s-30s.
Printed material includes clippings; samples of announcements and cards designed by Slobodkina; exhibition announcements and catalogs; and press releases.
Photographs are of Slobodkina and her paintings and sculptures, as well as photographs of artwork by other abstract artists.
American Abstract Artists' records includes administrative material, correspondence, writings, selected exhibitions, and printed material dating from 1936 to 1996.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged as 5 series.
Missing Title
- Series 1: Correspondence, 1934-1992 (0.4 linear feet; Box 1)
- Series 2: Writings, circa 1920-1985 (6 folders; Box 1)
- Series 3: Printed material, circa 1939-1994 (7 folders; Box 1, OV 4)
- Series 4: Photographs, circa 1925-1970 (3 folders; Box 1)
- Series 5: American Abstract Artists, circa 1936-1995 (0.9 linear feet, Box 1-3, OV 4)
Photographs
Sculptors -- New York (State)
Women artists
Authors -- New York
Illustrators -- New York (State)
Painters -- New York (State)
Painting, Abstract -- New York (State) -- New York
Women painters
Women illustrators
Morris, George L. K., 1905-1975
Eckstein, Ruth, 1916-
Kelpe, Paul, 1902-1985
American Abstract Artists
Rabkin, Leo
Tedlie, Harry
Correspondence
Series 1
Archival Resource Key
0.4 Linear feet
Box 1
1934-1992
Scope and Contents
Correspondence is primarily with Slobodkina's family, friends, and business associates. The series includes significant correspondence from her first husband, Ilya Bolotowsky, as well as abstract artists George L.K. Morris, Paul Kelpe, Ruth Eckstein, Leo Rabkin, and Harry Tedlie. The series also includes correspondence regarding her publications, including her children's books, the folio on Ilya Bolotowsky, and Slobodkina's autobiography.
Arrangement
Correspondence is arranged alphabetically by correspondent, then followed by correspondence related to Slobodkina's book projects.
A-Z, Miscellaneous
Archival Resource Key
1940-1990
1
1
Bolotowsky, Ilya
Archival Resource Key
1934-1947, 1988
1
2
Scope and Contents
For typescripts of handwritten letters and English transcriptions of letters written in Russian, see Box 1, Folder 33.
Eckstein, Ruth
Archival Resource Key
circa 1965-1992
1
3-5
Forest Lake School
Archival Resource Key
1980
1
6
Gallatin, A.E.
Archival Resource Key
1940-1949
1
7
Gallatin, A.E.
Hulbeck, Beate
Archival Resource Key
1966-1973
1
8
Kelly, Isabel
Archival Resource Key
circa 1980-1989
1
9
Kelpe, Paul
Archival Resource Key
circa 1960-1973
1
10
Mason, Alice Trumbull
Archival Resource Key
1942-1967
1
11
Meierhaus, Joe
Archival Resource Key
1942-1975
1
12
Morris, George and Suzy Frelinghuysen
Archival Resource Key
1947-1959
1
13-15
Nieuwe Kerk Museum
Archival Resource Key
1990
1
16
Rabkin, Leo
Archival Resource Key
circa 1970-1990
1
17
Sennhauser, John
Archival Resource Key
1949-1983
1
18
Shaw, Charles G.
Archival Resource Key
circa 1940-1979
1
19
Slobodkina, Esphyr
Archival Resource Key
circa 1960-1990
1
20
Tedlie, Harry
Archival Resource Key
circa 1970-1975
1
21
Washburn Gallery
Archival Resource Key
1975-1984
1
22
Publication of Children's Books
Archival Resource Key
1974, 1983-1989
1
23
Publication of Ilya Bolotowsky
Archival Resource Key
1986-1987
1
24
Receipt of Notes for a Biographer, Friends
Archival Resource Key
1977, 1981-1987
1
25
Receipt of Notes for a Biographer, Institutions
Archival Resource Key
1977-1986
1
26
Letters and Inscriptions to Recipients of Unidentified Book
Archival Resource Key
circa 1960-1990
1
27
Unknown and Illegible
Archival Resource Key
circa 1940-1990
1
28
Writings
Series 2
Archival Resource Key
6 Folders
Box 1
circa 1920-1985
Scope and Contents
Writings include 3 essays by Slobodkina on abstract art, the autobiography Notes for a Biographer (vol. 1), the edited folio Ilya Bolotowsky, and a small notebook kept by Ilya Bolotowsky during the 1920s-30s. The folio reprints a selection of Bolotowsky's drawings and his correspondence to Slobodkina during their marriage, which are typescript and translated from Russian.
Arrangement
Materials are arranged by author, then by document type.
Slobodkina, Esphyr, Notes for a Biographer (Part I)
Archival Resource Key
1976
1
29
Slobodkina, Esphyr, "My Secret Life With George Morris"
Archival Resource Key
1961
1
30
Slobodkina, Esphyr, "Small Abstract Line Drawing"
Archival Resource Key
circa 1960
1
31
Slobodkina, Esphyr, "What is Abstract Art?"
Archival Resource Key
1961
1
32
Slobodkina, Esphyr (folio editor), Ilya Bolotowsky
Archival Resource Key
1985
1
33
Scope and Contents
For original letters, see Box 1, Folder 2.
Bolotowsky, Ilya, Notebook
Archival Resource Key
circa 1920-1939
1
34
Printed Material
Series 3
Archival Resource Key
7 Folders
Box 1, OV 4
circa 1939-1994
Scope and Contents
Printed material consists of clippings; samples of announcements, cards, and brochures designed by Slobodkina; exhibition announcements and catalogs; press releases, and miscellaneous printed material.
Arrangement
Materials are arranged by document type.
Clippings
Archival Resource Key
circa 1939-1994
1
35
Scope and Contents
Oversized material housed in OV 4.
Designs by Esphyr Slobodkina
Archival Resource Key
circa 1955-1985
1
36
Exhibition Announcements and Catalogs
Archival Resource Key
1950-1963
1
37
Exhibition Announcements and Catalogs, Other Artists
Archival Resource Key
1961-1993
1
38
Exhibition Announcements and Catalogs, Other Artists, Group Shows
Archival Resource Key
1984-1991
1
39
Postcard
Archival Resource Key
circa 1978
1
40
Press Releases
Archival Resource Key
1988
1
41
Oversized Clipping
Archival Resource Key
circa 1936-1970
4
Scope and Contents
Oversized material from Box 1, Folder 35.
Photographs
Series 4
Archival Resource Key
3 Folders
Box 1
circa 1925-1970
Scope and Contents
Photographs are of Slobodkina and her paintings and sculptures, as well as photographs of artwork by other abstract artists.
Arrangement
Materials are arranged by subject matter.
Photographs of Esphyr Slobodkina
Archival Resource Key
circa 1925-1970
1
42
Photographs of Artwork by Esphyr Slobodkina
Archival Resource Key
circa 1940-1964
1
43
Photographs of Artwork by Others
Archival Resource Key
circa 1938-1965
1
44
American Abstract Artists
Series 5
Archival Resource Key
0.9 Linear feet
Box 1-3, OV 4
circa 1936-1995
Scope and Contents
The series American Abstract Artists includes administrative material, correspondence, writings, selected exhibitions, and printed material.
Administrative material includes copies of the constitution, meeting minutes, membership lists, and a treasurer's report. Correspondence is with officers of the AAA regarding meetings, member dues, and publication projects. Writings include three essays on the AAA and draft copies of American Abstract Artists, 1936-1966. Exhibitions include substantial correspondence regarding the logistics of two early exhibitions, the "National Exhibition" (1940/1940-1941) and the "Traveling Exhibition of Matted Works" (1940-1941). Printed material contains clippings; exhibition announcements, catalogs, and posters; sample organizational letterhead; and a copy of American Abstract Artists: Its Publications, Catalogs, and Membership.
Arrangement
Administrative materials, writings, and printed materials are arranged by document type. Correspondence is arranged alphabetically by correspondent, then followed by correspondence related to book projects. Exhibitions are arranged alphabetically by exhibition title.
The series is arranged as 5 subseries.
Missing Title
- 5.1: Administrative materials, 1949-1995
- 5.2: Correspondence, 1940-1995
- 5.3: Writings, circa 1936-1994
- 5.4: Exhibitions, 1939-1966
- 5.5: Printed Material, 1936-1992
Administrative Material
5.1
Archival Resource Key
1949-1995
Constitution
Archival Resource Key
1949
1
45
Meeting Minutes
Archival Resource Key
1949-1995
1
46-47
Membership Lists
Archival Resource Key
1958-1991
1
48
Treasurer's Report
Archival Resource Key
1965-1982
1
49
Correspondence
5.2
Archival Resource Key
1940-1995
A-Z Miscellaneous
Archival Resource Key
1940-1986
1
50
Goodyear, John
Archival Resource Key
1983-1990
1
51
Kelpe, Paul
Archival Resource Key
circa 1956-1965
1
52
Mason, Alice
Archival Resource Key
1949-1962
1
53
Rabkin, Leo
Archival Resource Key
1961-1979
1
54
Riese, Beatrice
Archival Resource Key
1988-1995
1
55
Rousseau, Irene
Archival Resource Key
1979-1982
1
56
University of New Mexico
Archival Resource Key
1973
1
57
Membership Dues
Archival Resource Key
circa 1961-1978
1
58
Publication of American Abstract Artists, 1936-1966
Archival Resource Key
1966-1968
2
1
Requests for American Abstract Artists: Its Publications, Catalogs, and Memberships
Archival Resource Key
1979-1984
2
2
Writings
5.3
Archival Resource Key
circa 1936-1994
Book Draft, American Abstract Artists, 1936-1966
Archival Resource Key
circa 1966
2
3-7
Slobodkina, Esphyr, On American Abstract Artists and Art
Archival Resource Key
circa 1960-1990
2
8
Slobodkina, Esphyr, "Historical Outline"
Archival Resource Key
circa 1966
2
9
Unknown Author, "Pioneers in the Field"
Archival Resource Key
1962
2
10
Notes
Archival Resource Key
circa 1936-1994
2
11
Exhibitions
5.4
Archival Resource Key
1939-1966
"28th Annual Exhibition" (1964)
Archival Resource Key
circa 1964
2
12
"American Abstract Artists, 1936-1986" (1986)
Archival Resource Key
1984-1986
2
13
"Exhibition in Honor of Albers, Morris, Rice-Pereira, and Shaw" (1976)
Archival Resource Key
1976
2
14
"National Exhibition" (1940), Administrative Memorandum
Archival Resource Key
1939-1940
2
15
"National Exhibition" (1940), Lehigh University
Archival Resource Key
1939-1940
2
16
"National Exhibition" (1940), University of Minnesota
Archival Resource Key
1939-1940
2
17
"National Exhibition" (1940), Declines to Exhibit
Archival Resource Key
1939-1940
2
18
"National Exhibition" (1940-1941), Declines to Exhibit
Archival Resource Key
1940
2
19
"Riverside Museum Show" (1966)
Archival Resource Key
circa 1966
2
20
"Traveling Exhibition of Matted Works" (1940-1941), Administrative Memorandum
Archival Resource Key
1940-1941
2
21
"Traveling Exhibition of Matted Works" (1940-1941), Cranbrook Academy of Art
Archival Resource Key
1940
2
22
"Traveling Exhibition of Matted Works" (1940-1941), Norfolk Museum
Archival Resource Key
1940
2
23
"Traveling Exhibition of Matted Works" (1940-1941), Declines to Exhibit
Archival Resource Key
1940
2
24
Printed Material
5.5
Archival Resource Key
1936-1992
Book, American Abstract Artists: Its Publications, Catalogs, and Membership
Archival Resource Key
1979
2
25
Book Draft, American Abstract Artists: Its Publications, Catalogs, and Membership
Archival Resource Key
1979
3
1-2
Clippings
Archival Resource Key
1936-1988
3
3
Exhibition Announcements and Catalogs
Archival Resource Key
1948-1992
3
4-7
Exhibition Posters
Archival Resource Key
1956-1982
3
8
Scope and Contents
Oversized material housed in OV 4.
Letterhead
Archival Resource Key
circa 1960-1969
3
9
Newsletters
Archival Resource Key
circa 1960-1969
3
10
Press Releases
Archival Resource Key
1972-1991
3
11
Miscellaneous Printed Material
Archival Resource Key
circa 1960-1969
3
12
Oversized Exhibition Posters
Archival Resource Key
1956-1982
4
Scope and Contents
Oversized material from Box 3, Folder 8.