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Elizabeth Wilson Collection Relating to Rhys Caparn

An inventory of the collection at Syracuse University


Finding aid created by: MRC
Date: 4 Feb 2014

Biographical History

Rhys Caparn (1909-1997) was an American sculptor and illustrator.

She was born on July 28, 1909 in Onteora Park, New York. Her father, Harold ap Rhys Caparn was the landscape architect for the Brooklyn Botanical Garden from 1912-1945.

Rhys studied at the Brearly School in New York City from 1918-1927, Bryn Mawr College from 1927-1929, Ecole Artistique des Animaux in Paris from 1929-1930, and Archipenko School of Art from 1931-1933. She is particularly remembered for her abstract animal sculptures and was a member of the American Abstract Artists and the Federation of Modern Painters and Sculptors.

On September 9, 1935 she married Herbert Johannes Steele, an economic and business columnist who was known for making uncanny predictions about the stock market. She died in 1997 in Danbury, Connecticut.

Scope and Contents of the Collection

The Elizabeth Wilson Collection Relating to Rhys Caparn consists of artwork, correspondence, memorabilia, printed material, and wiritings relating to American abstract artist Rhys Caparn.

Artwork is divided into originals and reproductions.

Correspondence consists of personal incoming mail.

Memorabilia is divided into personal photos and miscellaneous.

Printed material is divided into clippings, exhibition catalogs, and exhibition invitations.

Writings contains biographical notes by another, biographical information by Rhys Caparn, and an essay.

Arrangement of the Collection

Artwork is in no particular order. Correspondence is arranged chronologically with undated material at the end. Memorabilia is in no particular order. Printed Material (including clippings, exhibition catalogs, and exhibition inivitations) are arranged chronologically with undated material at the end. Writings are arranged by page number when applicable.

Other Related Finding Aids

See also the Rhys Caparn Papers.

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.

Related Material

Two copies of Rhys Caparn by Robert Beverly Hale, and one copy of American Abstract Artists 1936-1966 edited by The American Abstract Artists, with introduction by Ruth Gurin, have been transferred to Rare Books.

Subject Headings

Persons

Caparn, Rhys, 1909-1997.

Subjects

Art, American -- 20th century.
Illustrators -- United States.
Sculptors -- United States.
Sculpture, American -- 20th century.
Women artists -- United States.
Women sculptors -- United States.

Genres and Forms

Articles.
Black-and-white negatives.
Clippings (information artifacts)
Color negatives.
Correspondence.
Exhibition catalogs.
Photographs.

Occupations

Artists.
Illustrators.
Sculptors.

Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Preferred citation for this material is as follows:

Elizabeth Wilson Collection Relating to Rhys Caparn,
Special Collections Research Center,
Syracuse University Libraries

Acquisition Information

Gift of Michele Wilson, 2012.

Table of Contents

Artwork

Correspondence

Memorabilia

Printed material

Writings

Inventory