Archives of American Art
Abram Lerner papers
Lerner, Abram
AAA.lernabra
Archival Resource Key
2.3 Linear feet
circa 1930-2006
The papers of art historian, curator and painter, Abram Lerner measure 2.3 linear feet and date from circa 1930 to 2006. The collection is comprised primarily of documents related to Lerner's tenure at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, including the years leading up to the museum's opening in 1974. Also included are professional files and correspondence following Abram Lerner's departure from the museum in 1984, as well as exhibition files, photographic materials and watercolor and sketchbooks reflecting his career as an artist.
English
.
Conditions Governing Access
Use of original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C., Research Center. Use of audio visual recordings with no duplicate copy requires advance notice.
Scope and Contents
The papers of art historian, curator and painter, Abram Lerner measure 2.3 linear feet and date from circa 1930 to 2006. The collection is comprised primarily of documents related to Lerner's tenure at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, including the years leading up to the museum's opening in 1974. Also included are professional files and correspondence following Abram Lerner's departure from the museum in 1984, as well as exhibition files, photographic materials and watercolor and sketchbooks reflecting his career as an artist.
Correspondence is primarily professional in nature and includes correspondents James T. Demetrion and Joseph and Olga Hirshhorn, as well as artists Philip Evergood, Walter Rosenblum and Raphael Soyer. Also included are notebooks with outgoing hand-written drafts from after his tenure with the museum, from 1991 to 2003. Writings include primarily lectures and tours related to the Hirshhorn collection and modern sculpture and painting, in addition to some early student and creative work, an interview with Lerner, and writings by others including an artist statement for Lerner written by Milton W. Brown. Some lectures are represented by audio recordings on sound cassette.
The professional files series includes an 1958 exhibition file related to Lerner's painting career, files related to the Hirshhorn bequest exhibition and a Henry Moore exhibition at the Hirshhorn Museum, records regarding an unpublished manuscript tentatively titled 50 Sculptors, as well as advisory roles and other professional materials including a planner from 1983. Printed material includes materials reserved for a scrapbook, especially regarding the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, various memorabilia and published audio recordings including an Acoustiguide and a Channel 13 program regarding David Smith. Photographic material includes photographs of Abram Lerner, Joseph Hirshhorn and the Hirshhorn Museum building, staff, artwork, and events during his tenure. Also included are numerous photographs of Raphael Soyer portrait paintings. Artwork includes two watercolor and sketchbooks from circa 1940 and 1954.
Biographical / Historical
Abram Lerner (1913-2007) was an art historian, curator, and painter in Washington, DC. Born to Russian immigrants in New York City, Lerner received a bachelor's degree in art history from New York University in 1934. Lerner worked as an apprentice muralist in the Works Progress Administration (WPA), and after pursued a career as an exhibiting artist through the 1950s. In 1955 while working as a director at an art gallery he met Joseph Hirshhorn, who he came to work for on his art collection. Eventually this relationship led to Lerner becoming the founding director of the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Park, Smithsonian Institution, in 1974. After ten years as director Lerner retired to his seasonal home in Southampton, NY in 1984. He lived there with his wife Pauline, who he was married to from 1943, until she passed away in 2003. Lerner passed away from heart failure in his home in Canaan, CT in 2007.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated 2018 by Aline Libassi, Abram Lerner's daughter.
Arrangement
This collection is arranged as six series:
- Series 1: Correspondence, circa 1935-2004 (0.4 linear feet; Box 1)
- Series 2: Writings, circa 1930-1984 (0.6 linear feet; Box 1)
- Series 3: Professional Files, circa 1958-2006 (0.5 linear feet; Box 2)
- Series 4: Printed Material , circa 1933-1999 (0.2 linear feet; Box 2)
- Series 5: Photographic Material, circa 1950-1999 (0.4 linear feet; Boxes 2, 3)
- Series 6: Artwork, circa 1940-1959 (0.2 linear feet; Boxes 2, 3)
Processing Information
The collection was processed and a finding aid prepared by Ryan Evans in 2020.
Preferred Citation
Abram Lerner Papers, circa 1930-2006. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.
Conditions Governing 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.
Related Materials
Also found at the Archives of American art is an oral history interview with Abram Lerner, 1975 Dec. 9-1976 Jan. 27, conducted by Paul Cummings. The Smithsonian Institution Archives maintains the Joseph H. Hirshhorn Papers, circa 1926-1982, and the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden Collection Archive is maintained by the curatorial department of the museum.
Museum curators -- Washington (D.C.)
Museum directors -- Washington (D.C.)
Painters -- Washington (D.C.)
Sketchbooks
Sound recordings
Radio programs
Lectures
Hirshhorn, Joseph H.
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
Correspondence
Series 1
Archival Resource Key
0.4 Linear feet
Box 1
circa 1935-2004
Scope and Contents
Correspondence is primarily professional in nature and includes correspondents James T. Demetrion and Joseph and Olga Hirshhorn, as well as artists Philip Evergood, Walter Rosenblum and Raphael Soyer. Also included are notebooks with outgoing hand-written drafts from after his tenure with the museum, from 1991 to 2003.
Harry N. Abrams
Archival Resource Key
1974
1
1
Thomas Buechner
Archival Resource Key
1970
1
2
James T. Demetrion
Archival Resource Key
1985-1988
1
3
Philip Evergood
Archival Resource Key
1957, 1958
1
4
G
Archival Resource Key
circa 1956-1988
1
5
Lily Harmon
Archival Resource Key
1982
1
6
Joseph and Olga Hirshhorn
Archival Resource Key
circa 1969-1989
1
7
Thomas Lawton
Archival Resource Key
1999
1
8
Menconi and Schoelkopf Fine Art
Archival Resource Key
2004
1
9
Betty C. Monk (White House Curator)
Archival Resource Key
1999
1
10
Walter Rosenblum
Archival Resource Key
circa 1977-2001
1
11
R
Archival Resource Key
circa 1958-1985
1
12
Raphael Soyer
Archival Resource Key
1974
1
13
Unidentified/First Name Only
Archival Resource Key
circa 1935-1990
1
14
Outgoing Drafts (Jan. 1991-July 1993)
Archival Resource Key
circa 1991-1993
1
15
Outgoing Drafts (Aug. 1994-Apr. 1995)
Archival Resource Key
circa 1994-1995
1
16
Outgoing Drafts (Feb. 1996-Oct. 1996)
Archival Resource Key
circa 1996
1
17
Outgoing Drafts (Nov. 1996-Nov. 1997)
Archival Resource Key
circa 1996-1997
1
18
Outgoing Drafts (Nov. 1997-Mar. 1999)
Archival Resource Key
circa 1997-1999
1
19
Outgoing Drafts (Mar. 1999-Aug. 2000)
Archival Resource Key
circa 1999-2000
1
20
Outgoing Drafts (Sep. 2000-Jan. 2002)
Archival Resource Key
circa 2000-2002
1
21
Outgoing Drafts (Feb. 2002-Aug. 2003)
Archival Resource Key
circa 2002-2003
1
22
Writings
Series 2
Archival Resource Key
0.6 Linear feet
Box 1
circa 1930-1984
Scope and Contents
Writings include primarily lectures and tours related to the Hirshhorn collection and modern sculpture and painting, in addition to some early student and creative work, an interview with Lerner, and writings by others including an artist statement for Lerner written by Milton W. Brown. Some lectures are represented by audio recordings on sound cassette.
Autobiographical Essay, "Isaiah the Lion"
Archival Resource Key
circa 1930s
1
23
"A Short Survey of the Madonna and Child Presented Through the Work of Several Artists of The Early Renaissance"
Archival Resource Key
circa 1930s
1
24
Hirshhorn Collection Talk
Archival Resource Key
circa 1959
1
25
Hirshhorn Collection Talk (1963)
Archival Resource Key
circa 1963
1
26
Sculpture Lecture at the Virginia Museum (Oct. 27, 1969)
Archival Resource Key
circa 1969
1
27
Sculpture Lecture
Archival Resource Key
circa 1960s
1
28
Hirshhorn Collection Tour
Archival Resource Key
circa 1970
1
29
Painting and Sculpture Lecture, Smithsonian Associates (Mar. 13 1973)
Archival Resource Key
circa 1973
1
30
Talk to Businessmen's Luncheon, Smithsonian (May 8, 1973
Archival Resource Key
1973
1
31
Talk to Smithsonian Regents (1973)
Archival Resource Key
circa 1973
1
32
Corcoran Art School Commencement Address (May 1974)
Archival Resource Key
1974
1
33
Lecture for National Women's Democratic Club, DC (June 1974)
Archival Resource Key
circa 1974
1
34
Lecture by Abram Lerner (June 17, 1974), Corrected Tape
Archival Resource Key
1 Sound cassette
1974
1
35
Address at Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Opening Ceremony (Oct. 1, 1974)
Archival Resource Key
1974
1
36
Talk at Calder Sculpture Unveiling (Oct. 14, 1975)
Archival Resource Key
1975
1
37
Horshhorn Museum Talk (Naples, FL)
Archival Resource Key
circa 1975
1
38
Willem de Kooning Talk (July 26, 1977)
Archival Resource Key
1977
1
39
Biographical Texts on Artists (Grosz, Evergood, Tobey, Prestopino)
Archival Resource Key
circa 1970s
1
40
Speech for Detroit Opening
Archival Resource Key
circa 1970s
1
41
Talk on Business Support for Museums
Archival Resource Key
circa 1970s
1
42
Hirshhorn Collection Talk
Archival Resource Key
circa 1970s
1
43
Hirshhorn Collection Talk
Archival Resource Key
circa 1970s
1
44
Painting in the Hirshhorn Collection Talk
Archival Resource Key
circa 1970s
1
45
20th Century Sculpture Lecture
Archival Resource Key
circa 1970s
1
46
Modern Sculpture Lecture
Archival Resource Key
circa 1970s
1
47
Modern Sculpture Lecture
Archival Resource Key
circa 1970s
1
48
Lecture on Gregory Gillespie
Archival Resource Key
circa 1976-1980
1
49
WPA Lecture with A. Lerner and Brown, Hirshhorn MSG (Jan. 27, 1982)
Archival Resource Key
2 Sound cassettes
1982
1
50
Lecture, with Ripley and Demetrion (Feb. 9, 1984)
Archival Resource Key
1 Sound cassette
1984
1
51
Speeches at Dinner Honoring Abram Lerner, HMSG (June 5, 1984)
Archival Resource Key
1 Sound cassette
1984
1
52
Eakins Lecture, HMSG (July 18, 1984)
Archival Resource Key
1 Sound cassette
1984
1
53
Speeches at Hirshhorn MSG 10th Anniversary Dinner (Oct. 2, 1984)
Archival Resource Key
1 Sound cassette
1984
1
54
Eakins Lecture Slides, Edinburgh (Oct. 10, 1984)
Archival Resource Key
circa 1984
1
55
Lecture Slides (Right and Left)
Archival Resource Key
circa 1970s-1981
1
56-57
Statement on the Artists Abram Lerner by Milton W. Brown
Archival Resource Key
circa 1958
1
58
"Inner Circles" Interview Transcript with Abram Lerner
Archival Resource Key
circa 1970s
1
59
"Moses and Raphael Soyer" by Ellen Caroline Marks, Smithsonian Intern
Archival Resource Key
1984
1
60
Professional Files
Series 3
Archival Resource Key
0.5 Linear feet
Box 2
circa 1958-2006
Scope and Contents
The professional files series includes an 1958 exhibition file related to Lerner's painting career, files related to the Hirshhorn bequest exhibition and a Henry Moore exhibition at the Hirshhorn Museum, records regarding an unpublished manuscript tentatively titled 50 Sculptors , as well as advisory roles and other professional materials including a planner from 1983.
Abram Lerner Exhibition at Davis Galleries (Feb.-Mar. 1958)
Archival Resource Key
circa 1958-1960
2
1
Henry Moore Exhibition at Hirshhorn Museum, Biographical
Archival Resource Key
circa 1973
2
2
Henry Moore Exhibition at Hirshhorn Museum, Expenses (Hahn Bros. Estimate)
Archival Resource Key
circa 1971-1973
2
3
Paintings and Sculptures: Selections from the John H. Hirshhorn Bequest (1987)
Archival Resource Key
circa 1986-1987
2
4
50 Sculptors (Unpublished), General
Archival Resource Key
circa 1982-1983
2
5-6
50 Sculptors (Unpublished), Correspondence
Archival Resource Key
circa 1985-1987
2
7
50 Sculptors (Unpublished), Texts
Archival Resource Key
circa 1980-1987
2
8
50 Sculptors (Unpublished), Photographs
Archival Resource Key
circa 1980-1985
2
9
Guild Hall, Museum Planning Committee
Archival Resource Key
circa 1985-1990
2
10
Floorplan Drawings for a Home
Archival Resource Key
circa 1960s-1970s
2
11
1983 Planner
Archival Resource Key
circa 1983
2
12
Draft of Documentary Scripts for The 1913 Armory Show and Art Colonies in America
Archival Resource Key
2006
2
13
Printed Material
Series 4
Archival Resource Key
0.2 Linear feet
Box 2
circa 1933-1999
Scope and Contents
Printed material includes materials reserved for a scrapbook, especially regarding the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, various memorabilia and various published audio recordings including an Acoustiguide and a Channel 13 program regarding David Smith.
Beta Review (Mar. 1933)
Archival Resource Key
1933
2
14
Scrapbook Clippings
Archival Resource Key
circa 1959-1987
2
15
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
Archival Resource Key
circa 1968-1990s
2
16
Dada Exhibition Poster at Sidney Janis Gallery (1953)
Archival Resource Key
1953
2
17
American Academy of Arts and Letters Ceremony Program, Autographed by Marilyn Monroe (May 20, 1959)
Archival Resource Key
circa 1959, 1999
2
18
David Smith on Channel Thirteen A (April 20, 1969)
Archival Resource Key
2 Sound cassettes
circa 1969
2
19
Radio Smithsonian "Remembering Joe Hirshhorn"
Archival Resource Key
1 Sound cassette
circa 1981
2
20
Acoustiguide #789 "The Avant-Garde in Russia" Hirshhorn MSG
Archival Resource Key
1 Sound cassette
circa 1980s
2
21
Miscellaneous Printed Material
Archival Resource Key
circa 1960s-1980s
2
22
Photographic Material
Series 5
Archival Resource Key
0.4 Linear feet
Boxes 2, 3
circa 1950-1999
Scope and Contents
Photographic material includes phtographs of Abram Lerner, Joseph Hirshhorn and the Hirshhorn Museum building, staff, artwork, and events during his tenure. Also included are numerous photographs of Raphael Soyer portrait paintings.
Photographs of Abram Lerner
Archival Resource Key
circa 1960s-1990s
2
23
Photographs of Abram Lerner
Archival Resource Key
circa 1970s
3
1
Artwork by Abram Lerner
Archival Resource Key
circa 1950s
2
24
Artwork and Installation
Archival Resource Key
circa 1960s-1990s
2
25
Artwork and Installation
Archival Resource Key
circa 1970s
3
2
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden Groundbreaking (1969)
Archival Resource Key
1969
2
26
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Offices
Archival Resource Key
circa 1970s
3
3
Photographs of People
Archival Resource Key
circa 1960s-1970s
3
4
Photographs of Joseph H. Hirshhorn
Archival Resource Key
circa 1970s
3
5
Lyndon B. Johnson with Pauline Lerner, Signed and Dedicated
Archival Resource Key
1966
3
6
Mrs. (Ladybird) Johnson in Greenwich, CT
Archival Resource Key
circa 1960s
2
27
Raphael Soyer Portraits
Archival Resource Key
circa 1960s-1970s
2
28-30
Artwork
Series 6
Archival Resource Key
0.2 Linear feet
Boxes 2, 3
circa 1940-1959
Scope and Contents
Artwork includes two watercolor and sketchbooks from circa 1940 and 1954.
Watercolor and Sketchbook
Archival Resource Key
circa 1940
3
7
Watercolor and Sketchbook
Archival Resource Key
circa 1954
3
8
Artwork by Others, Ink on Photographic Portrait
Archival Resource Key
circa 1950s
2
31