Informal run on provenance research using Meyer Schapiro’s exhibition announcements held at Columbia University's Rare Book & Manuscript Library (RBML). A little disclaimer this is not a comprehensive research assignment, but a quick tour on the internet that illustrates how primary sources can serve each other vis-à-vis provenance research.
Provenance research : utilizing series VI of the Meyer Schapiro Collection
1. Meyer Schapiro Collection Series VI: Exhibition announcements, invitations, and press releases, 1920-2001
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5. Record carton storage boxes are used to visually differentiate this series from the rest of the collection and to maximize the retrieval of material for end users.
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14. Going to Sotheby’s website and searching under their "explore auctions" feature, I located this work and its attendant provenance as researched by Sotheby’s .
16. Impressionist & Modern Art, Part One Sale: N07890 Location: New York Auction Dates: Session 1: Tue, 06 May 03 7:00 PM LOT 38 The exhibition history as listed on Sotheby’s website does not include the exhibition held at Paul Rosenberg & Co. in 1944. Neither is it confirmed that Paul Rosenberg & Co. ever formally held it in their custody.
17. Property from the Collection of Dr. and Mrs. Jerome H. Hirschmann ANDRÉ MASSON (1896-1987) PASIPHAE 400,000—600,000 USD Lot Sold. Hammer Price with Buyer's Premium: 904,000 USD MEASUREMENTS 40 by 49 7/8in. 101.6 by 126.7cm DESCRIPTION Signed andré masson (lower right); titled and dated PASIPHAE XLIII on the reverse Oil, tempera and sand on canvas Painted in 1943. Provenance: Galerie Simon, Paris (acquired from the artist) Galerie Louise Leiris, Paris (acquired from the above and until at least 1958) (possibly) William Rubin, New York Richard Feigen Gallery, Inc., Chicago Acquired from the above circa 1960 Impressionist & Modern Art, Part One Sale: N07890 Location: New York Auction Dates: Session 1: Tue, 06 May 03 7:00 PM LOT 38 Sotheby’s claims that Galerie Simon of Paris acquired the work directly from Masson and that, subsequently thereafter, Galerie Louise Leiris of Paris acquired it from Galerie Simon and held it until at least 1958. Paul Rosenberg & Co. not mentioned as having painting formally held it in their custody
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19. New York, Whitney Museum of American Art, European Artists in America , 1945, no. 82 (as dating from 1944) Painting may strongly be the one exhibited at Paul Rosenberg & Co. given that it was exhibited at the Whitney Museum in 1945, possibly directly after the Rosenberg & Co. exhibition. Impressionist & Modern Art, Part One Sale: N07890 Location: New York Auction Dates: Session 1: Tue, 06 May 03 7:00 PM LOT 38