Collection inventory

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Graham Sutherland Papers

An inventory of his papers at Syracuse University

Overview of the Collection

Creator: Sutherland, Graham Vivian, 1903-1980.
Title: Graham Sutherland Papers
Inclusive Dates: 1943-1964
Quantity: 0.5 linear ft.
Abstract: British printmaker and surrealist painter. Collection consists of manuscripts and printed material.
Language: English, French, German, Italian, and Portuguese
Repository: Special Collections Research Center,
Syracuse University Libraries
222 Waverly Avenue
Syracuse, NY 13244-2010
https://library.syracuse.edu/special-collections-research-center

Biographical History

Graham Vivian Sutherland (1903-1980) was a British painter who was best known for his Surrealist landscapes.

Sutherland was born in London. He studied art there from 1921-1925 at Epsom College with an emphasis in printmaking, after which he taught at the Chelsea School of Art until 1940. His prints owe influence to artists such as William Blake, Paul Nash, Henry Moore, Pablo Picasso, and Samuel Palmer, and his early landscapes were in a Romantic style. In 1935 he turned to painting and his style evolved into Surrealism. His art was represented in the 1936 International Surrealist Exhibition in London. During World War II he became an official war artist, depicting bomb damage in London in order to promote the war effort.

Sutherland was also known for his expressionistic portraits, painting figures such as Somerset Maugham and Winston Churchill. In 1960 he received the Order of Merit and in 1972 he became a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Letters.

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Scope and Contents of the Collection

The Graham Sutherland Papers consists of correspondence, exhibition materials, memorabilia, and writings.

Correspondence consists of a personal letter from Sutherland, a postcard to Sutherland, and a notecard to his wife.

Exhibition materials, which make up the bulk of the collection, contains exhibition catalogs from several different countries, and a few exhibition invitations, all of which feature Sutherland's work.

Memorabilia consists of a book about Sutherland and his work, a photograph of Sutherland, and several postcards which feature reproductions of Sutherland's paintings.

Finally, Writings consists of a bound volume containing a variety of Sutherland's notes.

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Arrangement of the Collection

The collection is arranged alphabetically.

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Restrictions

Access Restrictions

The majority of our archival and manuscript collections are housed offsite and require advanced notice for retrieval. Researchers are encouraged to contact us in advance concerning the collection material they wish to access for their research.

Use Restrictions

Written permission must be obtained from SCRC and all relevant rights holders before publishing quotations, excerpts or images from any materials in this collection.

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Subject Headings

Persons

Sutherland, Graham Vivian, 1903-1980.

Subjects

Painters -- England.
Surrealist artists.

Genres and Forms

Correspondence.
Exhibition catalogs.
Invitations.
Photographs.
Postcards.

Occupations

Painters.

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Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Preferred citation for this material is as follows:

Graham Sutherland Papers,
Special Collections Research Center,
Syracuse University Libraries

Acquisition Information

Unspecified, 1964.

Finding Aid Information

Created by: MRC
Date: 12 Apr 2010
Revision history: 12 Sep 2022 - collection processed (GU)

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Inventory

Correspondence
Box 1 Miscellaneous 1957-1959 undated
Exhibition Materials
Box 1 Invitations 1953 undated
Box 1 Catalogs 1946-1964, undated (3 folders)
Memorabilia
Box 1 Book, Sutherland, Penguin 1955
Box 1 Photographs 1960
Box 1 Postcards undated - reproductions of Sutherland's work from his 'thorn period'
Writings
Box 1 Personal notebook undated

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