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Title: Life Drawing Model Collection
Dates: 1911-1982
Collection Number: SFAI.019
Creator/Collector:
San Francisco Art Institute
Extent: 1 box, 12 folders, .42 linear feet
Repository:
San Francisco Art Institute Archive
San Francisco, California 94105
Abstract: This collection contains materials regarding models for the life drawing classes held at the San Francisco Art Institute (also
known as the California School of Design from 1874-1916 and the California School of Fine Arts from 1916-1961). The materials
consist of correspondence between models and the school, model books, model photographs and CVs, Model Guild of San Francisco
lists and agreements as well publications featuring models at SFAI. Through this collection, the history of modeling at the
school can be tracked from the years 1911 through 1979.
Language of Material: English
The collection is open for research use.
Contact the San Francisco Art Institute Legacy Foundation + Archive for questions or requests regarding use of these materials.
[Identification of item]. Life Drawing Model Collection. Collection Number: SFAI.019. San Francisco Art Institute Archive
Material in this collection was internally generated by the San Francisco Art Institute.
Biography/Administrative History
The San Francisco Art Institute (SFAI) was a private fine arts college dating back to 1874 when the San Francisco Art Association,
an organization founded in 1871 to promote and exhibit local artists, first began offering art classes to the public. The
school was known as the California School of Design from 1874 through 1916, and the California School of Fine Arts from 1916
through 1961, when it became the San Francisco Art Institute (SFAI). SFAI closed in 2022.
Scope and Content of Collection
The collection holds materials documenting the use and employment of artists’ models at the San Francisco Art Institute (also
known as the California School of Design from 1874-1916 and the California School of Fine Arts from 1916-1961). Material in
this collection dates from the years 1911 until 1979. A majority of the collection’s materials are in the form of correspondence
between the school and current or potential models. This correspondence also includes a section of model photographs from
the 1970s, that include the models’ contact information and CVs. Specific correspondence between well-known model Atononio
Corsi and the school during the years 1912-1919, and an excerpt from a publication referencing his modeling work, have their
own folder. Other correspondence chronicles the formation of the Models’ Guild of San Francisco in 1946 (also listed as the
San Francisco Models Association, and as of this writing known as the Bay Area Models’ Guild). It continues with documents
into the 1970s covering the Guild’s member agreements, rates, and models lists. Other items in the collection are model books
from 1931-1945 and 1972-1978, that document instructors, meeting times, and models used for individual classes. Also held
in the collection are publication clippings from the 1970s regarding models at SFAI and the Models’ Guild of San Francisco.
In 1982 the Archives of American Art microfilmed parts of this collection and the inventory list of that project is included.
Art Schools
Artists' models
Allen, Florence W. (Florence Wysinger), 1913-1997
Archives of American Art
San Francisco Art Association
San Francisco Art Institute
California School of Fine Arts (San Francisco, Calif.)
San Francisco, CA