Archives of American Art
Ronald A. Kleemann papers
Kleemann, Ronald A., 1937-
AAA.kleerona
Archival Resource Key
2 Linear feet
circa 1942-2008
The papers of photorealist painter Ronald A. Kleemann papers date from circa 1942-2008 and measure 2.0 linear feet. The papers include chronological files that contain a wide variety of documents, projects files relating to his race car paintings, biographical materials, writings and lectures, printed material, original drawings, and photographs.
English
.
Immediate Source of Acquisition note
Donated by Ronald Kleemann, November 11, 2009.
Related Material
The Archives of American Art also holds an oral history interview with Ronald A. Kleemann, 2009 Oct. 11-12, conducted by Judith Richards.
Processing Information
The collection was processed by Rachel Salzmann in 2011.
Preferred Citation
Ronald A. Kleemann papers, circa 1942-2008. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.
Restrictions on Access
Use of original papers requires an appointment.
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 Note
The Photorealist painter Ronald A. Kleemann (b. 1937), who is well known for his renderings of automobiles, currently works and resides in Valatie, New York. Born in Bay City, Michigan, he moved to New York City to pursue art after graduating from the University of Michigan College of Architecture and Design in 1961. Kleemann is represented by the Louis K. Meisel Gallery, New York, NY.
Scope and Content Note
The papers of photorealist painter Ronald A. Kleemann papers date from circa 1942-2008 and measure 2.0 linear feet. The papers include chronological files that contain a wide variety of documents, projects files relating to his race car paintings, biographical materials, writings and lectures, printed material, original drawings, and photographs.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged as 7 series:
- Series 1: Biographical Materials, 1971-2008 (Box 1; 0.1 linear ft.)
- Series 2: Chronological Files, 1950s-2008 (Boxes 1-2; 0.8 linear ft.)
- Series 3: Writings and Lectures, 2006 (Box 2; 0.1 linear ft.)
- Series 4: Project Files, 1985- 2007 (Box 2; 0.4 linear ft.)
- Series 5: Printed Material, 1971-2004 (Box 2; 0.2 linear ft.)
- Series 6: Artwork, circa 1942, 1960s and 1970s (Box 2; 0.3 linear ft.)
- Series 7: Photographs, 1980s-2002 (Box 2; 0.1 linear ft.)
Painters -- New York (State)
Photographs
Drawings
Photo-realism
Biographical Materials
Series 1
Archival Resource Key
0.1 Linear feet
Box 1
1971-2008
Scope and Contents note
This series include resumes, press and racing pit passes, and an embroidered CART (Conceptual Art Racing Team) badge.
Arrangement note
Materials are arranged chronologically within each folder.
Resumes
Archival Resource Key
1971-2005
1
1
Miscellaneous
Archival Resource Key
1972-2002
1
2
Entrance Documentation to Car Races and the Super Bowl
Archival Resource Key
1971-2008
1
3
Chronological Files
Series 2
Archival Resource Key
0.8 Linear feet
Boxes 1-2
1950s-2008
Scope and Contents note
Each annual file includes a variety of documentation such as drawings, sketches, school report cards, handwritten letters, correspondence, flyers, photographs, press releases, periodical clippings, exhibition announcements and catalogs. The content varies from year to year.
Of particular interest are photos of the artist at exhibitions, 1968 and 1971; a description of Kleemann's art van (Conceptual Art Racing Team "CART") at the 1977 Indianapolis 500; draft of a profile about the artist, 1979-1980; dissertation on photorealism, 1988; interview questions and dissertation on photorealism, 2000-2001; clipping and minutes from a project meeting to raise funds for COARC (Columbia County Association for Retarded Children) and art donations for auction, 2001-2002.
Arrangement note
Original order has been maintained. The years 1960, 1965 and 1995 are lacking.
Chronological Files
Archival Resource Key
1950s
1
4
Chronological Files
Archival Resource Key
2 Folders
1961
1
5-6
Chronological Files
Archival Resource Key
3 Folders
1962-1964
1
7-9
Chronological Files
Archival Resource Key
11 Folders
1966-1976
1
10-20
Chronological Files
Archival Resource Key
2 Folders
1977
1
21-22
Chronological Files
Archival Resource Key
17 Folders
1978-1994
1
23-39
Chronological Files
Archival Resource Key
4 Folders
1996-1999
1
40-43
Chronological Files
Archival Resource Key
7 Folders
2000-2006
2
1-7
Chronological Files
Archival Resource Key
2007-2008
2
8
Writings and Lectures
Series 3
Archival Resource Key
0.1 Linear feet
Box 2
2006
Scope and Contents note
Among the lectures and addresses is the text of Kleemann's 2006 presentation to the Hudson Fortnightly Club.
Writings
Archival Resource Key
undated
2
9
Lectures and Addresses
Archival Resource Key
0.1 Linear feet
Box 2
2006
2
10
Random Artist's Notes
Archival Resource Key
undated
2
11
Project Files
Series 4
Archival Resource Key
0.4 Linear feet
Box 2
1985-2007
Scope and Contents note
Project files relate mostly to paintings of cars.
Arrangement note
This series is arranged alphabetically by project title.
Corvette Painting Studies
Archival Resource Key
1985
2
12
Jack Gordon Car Studies
Archival Resource Key
2002 or later
2
13
Kodak Car Studies
Archival Resource Key
2002 or later
2
14
M and M Car Studies
Archival Resource Key
2002
2
15
Navy Painting Studies
Archival Resource Key
undated
2
16
Target Car Studies
Archival Resource Key
undated
2
17
Tony the Tiger Car Studies
Archival Resource Key
2002 or later
2
18
Viagra Painting Studies
Archival Resource Key
2002 or later
2
19
Zurich Painting Studies
Archival Resource Key
2 Folders
2007
2
20-21
Printed Material
Series 5
Archival Resource Key
0.2 Linear feet
Box 2
1971-2004
Scope and Contents note
Printed materials include exhibition catalogs, NASCAR programs, and clippings.
Arrangement note
This series is organized by record type and material within each folder is filed chronologically.
Group Exhibition Catalogs
Archival Resource Key
1971-1973
2
22
NASCAR Official Program Guides
Archival Resource Key
1977-1979
2
23
Periodical Clippings
Archival Resource Key
2 Folders
1972-1992
2
24-25
Advertisements
Archival Resource Key
1971-2004
2
26
Artwork
Series 6
Archival Resource Key
0.3 Linear feet
Box 2
circa 1942
1960s and 1970s
Scope and Contents note
All artwork is by Kleemann. The earliest drawings were made around the age of five.
Arrangement note
Original order has been maintained.
Earliest Drawings
Archival Resource Key
circa 1942
2
27
Random Studies
Archival Resource Key
1960s and 1970s
2
28
Abstract Studies,1960s and 1970s
Archival Resource Key
2 Folders
2
29-30
Miscellaneous Drawings
Archival Resource Key
1960s and 1970s
2
31
Photographs
Series 7
Archival Resource Key
0.1 Linear feet
Box 2
circa 1980s-2002
Scope and Contents note
These photographs most likely served as source materials for paintings.
Photographs
Archival Resource Key
circa 1980s-2002
2
32