John and Jane Adams Artwork Collection MS-0052

Matthew Stroh
Special Collections & University Archives
02/26/2008
5500 Campanile Dr. MC 8050
San Diego, CA 92182-8050
askscua@sdsu.edu


Contributing Institution: Special Collections & University Archives
Title: John and Jane Adams Artwork Collection
Identifier/Call Number: MS-0052
Physical Description: 2.26 Linear Feet
Date (inclusive): 1890-1936
Language of Material: English .

Scope and Contents

The collection contains a number of pieces of artwork (etchings, oil, watercolor, acrylic, and others) by early twentieth century American and European artists. 
A San Diego contingent of landscape artists is headed by Charles Arthur Fries (1854-1940), called the "Dean of San Diego Painters."  Ivan Messenger (1895-1983) was a member of the San Diego Moderns and was also a printmaker of some renown.  Rounding out the San Diego scene is Helen Johnston Balfour (1847-1925) known for her watercolors of California scenery. 
Also included in the collection is a piece by one of the most prominent western artists in United States history, Charles Marion Russell (1864-1926).  The final American artist of note represented in the collection is George Taylor Plowman (1869-1932), best known for his etchings of covered bridges in New England. 
Represented in the collection are pieces by two European artists of particular interest.  The first is a piece by Pierre Bonnard (1867-1947), who has been compared to Henri Matisse (1869-1954).  There is a color etching by German expressionist Conrad Felixmuller (1897-1977), whose companion piece to this, "Einsame Frau," is not in this collection.

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

The copyright interests in these materials have not been transferred to San Diego State University. Copyright resides with the creators of materials contained in the collection or their heirs. The nature of historical archival and manuscript collections is such that copyright status may be difficult or even impossible to determine.  Requests for permission to publish must be submitted to the Head of Special Collections, San Diego State University, Library and Information Access. When granted, permission is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical item and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder(s), which must also be obtained in order to publish. Materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials.

Source of Acquisition

John and Jane Adams

Accruals and Additions

1989-002

Preferred Citation

Identification of item, folder title, box number, John and Jane Adams Artwork Collection, Special Collections and University Archives, San Diego State University Library.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Art, American--20th century
Art, American--19th century Art, European--20th century
Art--Private collections--California--San Diego
Adams, John R., 1900-1994--Art collections
Adams, Jane Ford--Art collections

box 1, item 1

Priboscis, Viktor Von. "Chimpanzee." Works Progress Administration art work, unframed Item 1 circa 1936

box 1, item 2

Mansart, Paul. "Abbeville: La Cathedrale St. Wulfran." Undated. Color etching. Item 2

box 1, item 3

Helny, [Untitled image of sea coast], undated. Color etching Item 3

box 1, item 4

Unknown, "William Henry Harrison." Print on fabric with embroidery. Item 4 circa 1890

box 1, item 5

Unknown, [Cottage in forest], undated. Oil or acrylic on wood. Item 5

box 2, item 1

Plowman, George Taylor. [Notre Dame, Paris, from the river Seine, right bank], undated. Ill[ustravit] et imp[rimavit], black & white etching. Item 1

box 2, item 2

Farington, Joseph. "Court Garden and Great Marlow." Undated reproduction of etching published by J & J Boydell Item 2 June 1, 1793

box 2, item 3

Messenger, Ivan. "Cabrillo Arches, Balboa Park." Watercolor. Undated. Item 3

box 3, item 1

Russell, Charles Marion. [Cowboy]. Color print. Item 1 1904

box 3, item 2

Unknown. [Pastoral scene of Mt. Fuji or unidentified volcano]. Color painting on cloth. Undated Item 2

box 3, item 3

Bonnard, Pierre. "Illustration pour Sainte Monique," litographie originale. Black and white lithograph. Undated. Item 3

box 3, item 4

Kumchika. [Color Japanese woodblock print] Item 4 circa 1930

box 4, item 1

Felixmuller, Conrad. "Einsammer Mann [Lonesome Man]." Farbiger holzschnitt [color woodcut]. Unframed. Item 1 1920

box 4, item 2

Balfour, Helen. "Spring in Arroyo." Watercolor Item 2 1932

box 4, item 3

Braun, Maurice. [California Foothills]. Color reproduction of an oil painting. Undated Item 3

box 4, item 4

Unknown. [Portrait of a Woman]. Color oil or acrylic on canvas, unframed. Undated Item 4

item 1

Fries, C.A. "Bed Time." Oil on canvas. Undated Item 1

Scope and Contents

Held in Vault
item 2

Fries, C.A. "The Desert Sea." Oil on canvas. Undated Item 2

Scope and Contents

Held in Vault