Bernard Berenson Correspondence

Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego
Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego
Copyright 2011
9500 Gilman Drive
La Jolla 92093-0175
spcoll@ucsd.edu


Descriptive Summary

Languages: English
Contributing Institution: Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego
9500 Gilman Drive
La Jolla 92093-0175
Title: Bernard Berenson Correspondence
Identifier/Call Number: MSS 0694
Physical Description: 0.25 Linear feet (1 archives box)
Date (inclusive): 1950-1959
Abstract: Correspondence of art historian Bernard Berenson primarily with San Diego artist Norah Bisgood Woodward from 1950 to 1959.

Scope and Content

The correspondence of Bernard Berenson exhibits the friendship between San Diego artist Norah Bisgood Woodward and American art historian Bernard Berenson (1865-1959). The main focus of this collection resides in the correspondence between Woodward and Berenson from 1950 to 1959. Additional materials include a 1953 publication of Banchetto nel Deserto by Alexia Mitchell, photographic reproductions of an unidentified artwork owned by Norah Woodward's husband Henry Woodward, and unsigned cards from Berenson at his estate, Villa I Tatti.
The papers are arranged in two series: 1) CORRESPONDENCE and 2) MISCELLANEOUS MATERIALS.

Biography

Art historian Bernard Berenson specialized in Medieval and Renaissance art, publishing several books on Italian artists and painting. He received critical acclaim for his text, Lorenzo Lotto: An Essay on Constructive Art Criticism and for his later work The Italian Painters of the Renaissance. Berenson also served as an advisor to many prominent collectors such as American art collector and patron Isabella Stewart Gardner. In 1900 Berenson settled into I Tatti, a villa in Fiesole, Italy. He lived there until his death in 1959.

Acquisition Information

Acquired 2008.

Preferred Citation

Bernard Berenson Correspondence, MSS 694. Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego.

Publication Rights

Publication rights are held by the creator of the collection.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Art and society -- California -- San Diego
Art historians -- United States
Berenson, Bernard, 1865-1959 -- Archives
Woodward, Norah Bisgood -- Correspondence

 

CORRESPONDENCE

Box 1, Folder 1

Berenson, Bernard 1950-1955

Box 1, Folder 2

Berenson, Elizabeth 1958

General note

One manuscript letter from Bernard Berenson's sister, Elizabeth Berenson.
Box 1, Folder 3

Biblioteca Benjamin Franklin 1951

Box 1, Folder 4

Hess, Joan 1955-1959

General note

One inscribed postcard and one typescript letter from Bernard Berenson's secretary, Joan Hess.
Box 1, Folder 5

Mariano, Nicky 1955-1959

General note

Two inscribed postcards and one manuscript letter from Bernard Berenson's librarian Nicky Mariano.
 

MISCELLANEOUS MATERIALS

Box 1, Folder 6

Banchetto nel Deserto, by Alexia Mitchell 1953

General Note

Book of poems in Italian and English with an inscription by Bernard Berenson to Norah Woodward on front matter.
Box 1, Folder 7

Photographic reproductions of an unknown painting, annotated verso - Black & white print and color slide ca. 1950s

Box 1, Folder 8

Unsigned cards - Black and white, and color cards sent from Villa I Tatti, Bernard Berenson's Italian estate 1953-1959