Guide to the Karl Kasten Papers
Dean Smith
The Bancroft Library
2023
The Bancroft Library
University of California
Berkeley, CA 94720-6000
bancref@library.berkeley.edu
Contributing Institution:
The Bancroft Library
Title: Karl Kasten papers
Creator:
Kasten, Karl Albert, 1916-2010
Identifier/Call Number: BANC MSS 87/186 c
Physical Description:
9 linear feet
(5 cartons, 6 boxes, 1 oversize box, 2 oversize folders)
Date (inclusive): 1896-2004
Date (bulk): 1940-2000
Physical Location: Many of the Bancroft Library collections are stored offsite and advance notice may be required for use. For current information
on the location of these materials, please consult the library's online catalog.
Language of Material:
English
, German
.
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research, with the following exceptions: Beatrix Kasten and Cho-An Kasten correspondence (Box 1, Folders
7-8) sealed until 2025.
Accruals
No accruals are expected.
Arrangement
This collection is arranged to the folder level.
Biographical / Historical
Karl Kasten, printmaker, painter, inventor, and educator, was born in San Francisco in 1916. Graduating as valedictorian from
Marin College in 1936, he enrolled in the University of California, Berkeley where he received an M.A. in 1939. His service
as a lieutenant in the 295th Engineer Combat Battalion during WWII interrupted Kasten's post graduate work which included
studying with Mauricio Lasansky at the University of Iowa in 1949 and Hans Hofmann at the Han Hofmann School of Art in Provincetown,
Massachusetts in 1951. Kasten's teaching career began in 1941 with an appointment at the California School of Fine Art (later
named the San Francisco Art Institute), and following his service in WWII he held a brief appointment at the University of
Michigan, Ann Arbor. Kasten returned to the Bay Area in 1947 joining the faculty at San Francisco State University (1949-1950)
where he established a printmaking program. His influential career at the University of California, Berkeley began in 1950
with an invitation from Worth Ryder to join the faculty. Kasten was an early proponent of Abstract Expressionism in the Bay
Area. He was a charter member of the Bay Printmakers Society and the first president of the newly formed California Society
of Printmakers in 1968. It was during the 1960s that Kasten expanded the possibilities of printmaking by developing vacuum-formed
plastic plates and, in 1977, he designed the lightweight K-B etching press. Kasten had a long and illustrious exhibition record
and his work was collected by museums nationally and internationally. He became Professor Emeritus at UC Berkeley in 1983,
capping a long and distinguished teaching career, beloved by countless students for his energetic, engaging and warm demeanor.
"That was Nirvana" he said. "My greatest satisfaction is that I was a pretty good teacher." Kasten died at his Berkeley home
at the age of 94 in May 2010, his passion for art and learning keeping him busy until the end.
Preferred Citation
[Indentification of item], Karl Kasten papers, BANC MSS 87/186 c, The Bancroft Library, University of Calfornia, Berkeley.
Processing Information
The Karl Kasten papers were processed by Dean Smith in 2022.
Content Description
The Karl Kasten papers are comprised of correspondence, professional and personal papers, writings, subject files, documentation
binders, and teaching materials.
The Correspondence series is arranged into three sub-series: outgoing, family, and general.
Professional papers consist of materials documenting Kasten's long art career which includes announcements, catalogs, reviews
and articles, artwork and exhibition documentation, resumes and other materials related to his art praxis.
Personal papers consist of primarily of documents regarding Kasten's early years, e.g. biographical sketches, scrapbooks,
materials regarding his military service in WWII, artworks given to him primarily from students, and various ephemera about
the history of San Francisco.
The series Writings consist of addresses, lectures, articles, letters to editors, poems and other various writings. Also included
are writings by others.
The series Subject Files consists of materials Kasten collected about his professional activities and various artists.
The Documentation Binders are meticulously assembled and arranged three-ring binders or spiral bound notebooks which document
his art career and teaching praxis.
The bulk of the series Teaching Materials are folders which collect clippings, artworks, handouts, and other ephemera Kasten
used for his course Art 4 – Techniques & Materials. These folders are arranged over the course of the 10 weeks and the subjects
taught each week. Also included are a series of folders on various art technique topics. The series concludes with a small
sampling of course evaluations that Kasten received.
Conditions Governing Use
Some materials in these collections may be protected by the U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.). In addition, the reproduction
of some materials may be restricted by terms of University of California gift or purchase agreements, donor restrictions,
privacy and publicity rights, licensing and trademarks. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by copyright beyond
that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be
commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owner. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.
For additional information about the University of California, Berkeley Library's permissions policy please see: http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/about/permissions-policies
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Kasten, Karl Albert, 1916-2010
Brown, Joan, 1938-1990
Chipp, Herschel Browning
DeFeo, Jay, 1929-1989
Falkenstein, Claire, 1908-1997
Farnsworth, Donald S., 1952-
Haley, John, 1905-1991
Kitaj, R.B., 1932 (2007)
Lark, Sylvia, 1947-1990
Loran, Erle, 1905-1999
Melchert, Jim, 1930-
Miles, Josephine, 1911-1985
Obata, Chiura
Oliveira, Nathan, 1928-2010
O'Neal, Mary Lovelace
Peterson, Margaret, 1902-1997
Ramos, Mel, 1935-2018
Rapoport, Sonya
Ryder, Worth Allen, 1884-1960
Smith, Hassel, 1915-2007
Thiebaud, Wayne
Van Hoesen, Beth, 1926-2010
Voulkos, Peter, 1924-2002
Wessels, Glenn A. (Glenn Anthony), 1895-
University of California, Berkeley. Department of Art -- Faculty
Art -- Study and teaching
Art -- History
Faculty papers
CORRESPONDENCE
1896-2004
undated
Physical Description: Boxes 1-6
Box 1, Folder 2
To: Haley, John & Maria
1983 June-Nov.
Box 1, Folder 3
Greeting Cards
1983
1985
undated
Box 1, Folder 4
Kasten, Ferdinand & Barbara [Father & Mother]
approximately 1928-1945
Box 1, Folder 5
Kasten, Fred [Brother]
1926-1944
Box 1, Folder 6
Kasten, Georgette [Wife]
1989
2000
Box 1, Folder 7
Kasten, Beatrix [Daughter]
1979-1995
Conditions Governing Access
Folder restricted until 2025.
Box 1, Folder 8
Kasten, Cho-An [Daughter]
1978-2000
Conditions Governing Access
Folder restricted until 2025.
Box 1, Folder 9
Kasten, Ross & Angie [Son & Daughter-in-law]
1984-1986
Box 1, Folder 10
Various Family Members
1942-2000
Box 1, Folder 11
Unidentified Family Members [Letters & Documents in German]
1896-1929
undated
Box 1, Folder 12
Askin, Walter
1976-2000
undated
Box 1, Folder 13
Baas, Jacquelynn
1994-1999
Box 1, Folder 15
Barieau, Katherine [Kathy]
1990-1997
Box 1, Folder 17
Bogdos, Joan & Harry
1991
1999
undated
Box 1, Folder 18
Brighton, Carol
1982-1996
Box 2, Folder 1
Casida, John & Kati
1979-2000
undated
Box 2, Folder 2
Chanco, Pauletta
1985-1996
undated
Box 2, Folder 3
Chatham, Doris
1980 May 15-2000 Jan. 15
Box 2, Folder 4
Chipp, Herschel
1982 Dec. 26-1989 Dec. 29; undated
Box 2, Folder 5
Croft. Margaret Mary [Meg]
1999 Sep. 10-2000 Aug. 1
Box 2, Folder 6
Danis, Susan
1981 Dec. 14-1999 Dec. 20; undated
Box 2, Folder 7-8
Davidson, Jo Ellen
1957-1999 June; undated
Box 2, Folder 9
Dean, Joyce
1981 July 12-2000 Dec. 25
Box 2, Folder 10
De Bois, Albert & Leontine
1981-1993 Jan. 6; undated
Box 2, Folder 11
DeFeo, Jay
1980 Feb. 10-1981 Feb. 10
Box 2, Folder 12
Duguay, Donna
1984 Dec. 17-1997 Dec.; undated
Box 2, Folder 13
Edler, Dorit
1979 Mar. 25-1984 Mar. 10
Box 2, Folder 14
Edmondson, Leonard & Gail
1970-1992-12-26
Box 2, Folder 15
Eiselin, Rolf
1981 May 12-1997 Mar. 1
Box 3, Folder 1
Falkenstein, Claire
1958
1980 Jan. 31-1991 Jan
Box 3, Folder 2
Faust, Holly Babe
1981 Oct. 19-1985 June 3
Box 3, Folder 3
Fogle, Michael
1977 Dec. 26-2000 Nov. 12; undated
Box 3, Folder 4
Fuller-McChesney, Mary & Mac
1986 Jan. 6-2000 Dec.
Box 3, Folder 5
Grillo, John & Kathy
1977 Dec. 17-1988 Dec.; undated
Box 3, Folder 6
Haley, John & Monica
1938 July 26-1991 Dec. 12
Box 3, Folder 7
Hilliard, Elizabeth & Toni
1992 Nov. 11-1993 Dec. 1; undated
Box 3, Folder 8
Horide, Minoru
1983 Jan. 1; 1986 [Apr. 1]; undated
Box 3, Folder 9
Imbrie, Andrew [Andy] & Barbara
1981 Apr. 13-1995 Dec.
Box 3, Folder 10
Jennings, Tom & Virginia
1979 Feb. 16-1999 Dec. 20; undated
Box 3, Folder 11
Kalamaras, John
1985 June 10-2000 Dec. 15; undated
Box 3, Folder 12
Kloski, Ted & Anelle
1988-1999 Dec.
Box 3, Folder 13
Kurosaki, Akira
1977 Feb. 15-1994 Jan. 4
Box 3, Folder 14
Kurutz, K. D. & Gary
1986 Jan. 6-2001 Jan. 15; undated
Box 3, Folder 15
Lark, Sylvia
1985 Oct. 30-1988 Nov. 10
Box 3, Folder 16
Leach, Virginia
1995 Aug. 20-2000 July 5; undated
Box 3, Folder 17
Licht, Helen Ann
1983 Apr. 8; 1999 May 27; undated
Box 3, Folder 18
Loran, Erle
1975; 1980 July 27-1988 Dec. 22
Box 3, Folder 19
Lowe, Allie
1990 [Dec.]-2000 Jan. 5
Box 3, Folder 20
Maughelli, Mary
1991 Dec. 22; 1997 Dec. 22; untitled
Box 3, Folder 21
McCray, James & Virginia
1977 Aug. 7-1993 Oct. 29
Box 3, Folder 22
McLean, William [Bill]
[1979]; 1981 Aug. 7-1984 Apr. 18
Box 3, Folder 23
Melchert, Jim & Mary Ann
1977 Dec. 21-[1991]
Box 3, Folder 24
Merz Mar, Tom & Dominique
1987 Apr. 6-1990 Jan. 14
Box 3, Folder 25
Nanao, Kenji
1977 Dec. 7-1997 Dec. 22; undated
Box 3, Folder 26
Narotzky, Norman & Mercedes
1990 June-1999
Box 3, Folder 27
Nielsen, Elinore Ann
1985 Mar. 27-1994 Dec.; undated
Box 4, Folder 1
O'Connor, John A.
1985 Dec. 5-1986 May 13
Box 4, Folder 2
Okubo, Miné
1942. June 26; 1980 July 7-1996; undated
Box 4, Folder 3
O'Neal, Mary Lovelace
1992 Jan.-1999 June 6
Box 4, Folder 4
Palzer, Jody
1990-1999; undated
Box 4, Folder 5-7
Pierce, Dorothy
[1948] Nov. 13-2000 Sep. 8; undated
Box 4, Folder 8
The Print Consortium
1991 July-Sep.
Box 4, Folder 9
Ragle, Carol & Roy
1988 Dec. 18-2000 Dec. 21
Box 4, Folder 10
Ramos, Leta & Mel
1982 Feb. 25- 1992 Dec. 14; undated
Box 4, Folder 11
Randall, Byron & Pele
1986 Nov. 9-1992 Dec. 11
Box 4, Folder 12
Rios, Diego Marcial
1982-1983
Box 4, Folder 13
Ruiz-Reese, Lawrence L.
1981 Oct. 30; 1999 May-Nov.
Box 4, Folder 14
Ryder, Worth
1922-1942 Sep. 19; 1986-1987; undated
Box 5, Folder 1
Saka, Minako
1988 [Dec.]-1999 Dec.
Box 5, Folder 2
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
1955 [July]-1963 Aug. 28
Box 5, Folder 3
Schaeffer, Paul
1985 [Dec.]-1997 Feb. 13
Box 5, Folder 4
Shaw, Peter & Carol
1986 Oct. 16-2000 Mar. 2
Box 5, Folder 5
Shepp, Alan & Diane
1988 Oct. 18-1999 Dec. 23; undated
Box 5, Folder 6
Sigerson, Saxon & Wendy
1985 [July]-1999 [Dec.]; undated
Box 5, Folder 7
Silva, Freeman & Adele
1982 [Dec.]-1996 [Dec.]
Box 5, Folder 8
Simpson, Marian & Lesley
1974 Dec. 13; undated
Box 5, Folder 9
Smith, Barbara Brinkley
1981 Dec.-1999 Dec.
Box 5, Folder 10
Sokolnikoff-Haas, Katherine
1979 Nov. 1-1992 Dec. 7
Box 5, Folder 11
Staprans, Raimonds
1982-[1993]; undated
Box 5, Folder 12
Steele, Claudia & Lowell
1986 [Dec.]-1990 May 30; undated
Box 5, Folder 13
Stewart, Muriel Hall
1982 Mar. 12; 1985 Sep. 29; undated
Box 5, Folder 14
University of California, Department of Art
1956 May 4-2000 Jan. 26; undated
Box 5, Folder 15
University of California - General
1957 Jan. 10-1999; undated
Box 5, Folder 16
Upiglio, Giorgio
1980 Nov. 10-1986 July 7; undated
Box 5, Folder 17
Weare, Shane
1985 [Feb.]-2000 Sep. 27
Box 5, Folder 18
Wessels, Glenn
1974 June 19-1982 May 27; undated
Box 5, Folder 19
Williams, Brian
1982 Jan.-1985 Dec. 13
Box 5, Folder 20
A Miscellany
1972-1999; undated
Box 5, Folder 21
B Miscellany
1955-2000; undated
Box 5, Folder 22
C Miscellany
1955-2000; undated
Box 5, Folder 23
D Miscellany
1980-1999; undated
Box 6, Folder 1
H Miscellany
1980-1994; undated
Box 6, Folder 4
K Miscellany
1981-2000; undated
Box 6, Folder 5
L Miscellany
1981-1999; undated
Box 6, Folder 6
M Miscellany
1981-2001; undated
Box 6, Folder 8
O Miscellany
1942-1999; undated
Box 6, Folder 9
P Miscellany
1961-1997; undated
Box 6, Folder 11
R Miscellany
1943-1999; undated
Box 6, Folder 12
S Miscellany
1976-2000; undated
Box 6, Folder 14
V Miscellany
1986-1997; undated
Box 6, Folder 15
W Miscellany
approximately 1939-2000; undated
Box 6, Folder 18
No Surname - Blake & Mick
1986-1990
Box 6, Folder 19
No Surname - Eileen
1985-1995
Box 6, Folder 20
No Surname - A-Y
1974-2000; undated
Box 6, Folder 21
Unidentified
1957; 1979; undated
PROFESSIONAL PAPERS
approximately 1938-2000
Physical Description: Carton 1, folders 1-25; Oversize box 1, folders 1-4; Oversize folder, Unit C
Carton 1, Folder 1
Exhibition Announcements - Solo
approximately 1959-1999
oversize_box 1, Folder 1
Exhibition Announcements - Solo
approximately 1980-1981
Carton 1, Folder 2
Exhibition Announcements - Two Person
approximately 1962-1992
Carton 1, Folder 3-4
Exhibition Announcements - Group
approximately 1952-2002
oversize_box 1, Folder 2
Exhibition Announcements - Group
approximately 1976-1993
oversize_folder 2C
Exhibition Announcements - Group
1973
undated
Carton 1, Folder 5
Exhibition Announcements - Others
approximately 1956-1986
oversize_box 1, Folder 3
Exhibition Announcements - Others
approximately 1959-2000
oversize_folder 2C
Exhibition Announcements - Others
1968
Carton 1, Folder 6
Exhibition Catalogs - Solo
1999-2000
Carton 1, Folder 7-10
Exhibition Catalogs - Group
1950-1990
Carton 1, Folder 11
Exhibition Documentation
1976
undated
Carton 1, Folder 12-13
Reviews/Articles
approximately 1940-2000
oversize_box 1, Folder 4
Reviews/Articles
1948-2000
Carton 1, Folder 14
Press Releases
approximately 1968-1997
Carton 1, Folder 15
Artwork Price Lists & Sales
1954-1982
Carton 1, Folder 16
Artworks - Miscellaneous Reproductions
approximately 1943-1994
Carton 1, Folder 19
Curatorial Activities
1951-1997
Carton 1, Folder 20
Juror/Committee Activities
1938-1992
Carton 1, Folder 21
Interview with Dr. Susan Landauer
1999
Carton 1, Folder 22
UC Berkeley Faculty Club Mural Restoration Project
2000
Carton 1, Folder 23
Resumes
approximately 1943-2000
Carton 1, Folder 24
Biographical Sketches
approximately 1966-1998
Carton 1, Folder 25
"The Berkeley Art Scene. 1930s-1940s..." Videotape (VHS)
1994
PERSONAL PAPERS
approximately 1915-1996
Physical Description: Carton 1, folders 26-36; Oversize box 1, folders 5-6
Carton 1, Folder 26
Personal Biographical Sketch & Photocopies of Snapshots of Kasten & Others
approximately 1928-1989
Carton 1, Folder 27
University of California, Berkeley - Commencement Program
1938
Carton 1, Folder 28
Art 171 - Report, "Art of the Neolithicum..."
1939
Carton 1, Folder 29
Artworks [primarily illustrational works]
approximately 1926-1945
oversize_folder 2C
Artworks - Lithographs & Etchings
approximately 1968
Carton 1, Folder 30
Artworks - By Others
approximately 1959-1996
oversize_box 1, Folder 5
Artworks - By Others
approximately 1966-1967
Carton 1, Folder 31
Composition Books
1926-1930
Carton 1, Folder 34
Sketchbook [military service]
1941-1942
oversize_box 1, Folder 6
WWII Military Newspapers
1944-1945
Carton 1, Folder 35
Clippings & Publications Re: San Francisco History
1915
1939
1986
Carton 1, Folder 36
Miscellany
approximately 1980
WRITINGS
1947-2000
undated
Physical Description: Carton 2, folders 1-11
Carton 2, Folder 1
Addresses/Lectures/Talks
1947
1950
1993
Carton 2, Folder 2
Art Techniques/Materials
undated
Carton 2, Folder 3-4
Articles - "The Fine Print"
1963
Carton 2, Folder 5
Articles - Miscellaneous
1983-1998
Carton 2, Folder 6
Letters to Editors
1987
1993
undated
Carton 2, Folder 10
By Others - Artist Publications
1966
1975
Carton 2, Folder 11
By Others - Miscellany
1960-1968
undated
SUBJECT FILES
1932-2001
undated
Physical Description: Carton 2, folders 12-32; Oversize box 1, folder 7; Oversize folder, Unit B
Carton 2, Folder 12
Bay Area Modernism - History
1981
undated
Carton 2, Folder 13
The Bay Area Printmakers Society
1959
undated
Carton 2, Folder 14
California Society of Printmakers
1956-1997
Carton 2, Folder 15
Print Council of America
1961
Carton 2, Folder 16
San Francisco Art Association - Constitution
1951
Carton 2, Folder 17
The University Art Department in 1938 - 60th Anniversary Exhibit
1998
undated
Carton 2, Folder 19-22
John Haley
1984-1993
undated
Carton 2, Folder 25-27
Erle Loran
1963-1999
undated
Carton 2, Folder 31
Piazzoni Murals Controversy
1987
1997-2000
Carton 2, Folder 32
K-B Etching Press
1977-2000
undated
oversize_folder 1B
K-B Etching Press
1977-1978
DOCUMENTATION BINDERS
1933-1981
undated
Physical Description: Carton 3
Carton 3, notebook 1
Political Cartoons
1933-1938
Carton 3, notebook 2
Cartoons from The Daily Californian
1937-1938
Carton 3, notebook 3
Painting and Graphics
1962-1968
Carton 3, notebook 4
Paintings and Graphics
1967-1970
Carton 3, notebook 5
I. Announcements & Reviews II. Extracts III. Letters IV. Bibliography
1971-1980
Carton 3, notebook 6
Notebook on Art Materials and Techniques
1950-1980
undated
Carton 3, notebook 7
Notebook on Art Materials and Techniques
1964-1981
undated
Carton 3, notebook 8
Notebook for Courses of Instruction
1948-1980
undated
Carton 3, notebook 9
Notebook for Courses of Instruction
1948-1981
undated
TEACHING MATERIALS
approximately 1936-1989
Physical Description: Cartons 4-5, Oversize box 1, folders 8-10
Carton 4, Folder 1
Courses - Art 2A
approximately 1936-1968
Carton 4, Folder 2
Courses - Art 4 - Materials & Techniques
approximately 1940-1989
Carton 4, Folder 3-4
Courses - Art 4 - Materials & Techniques - 1st Week
approximately 1940-1989
Carton 4, Folder 5-7
Courses - Art 4 - Materials & Techniques - 2nd Week
approximately 1940-1989
Carton 4, Folder 8-9
Courses - Art 4 - Materials & Techniques - 3rd Week
approximately 1940-1989
Carton 4, Folder 10-11
Courses - Art 4 - Materials & Techniques - 4th Week
approximately 1940-1989
Carton 4, Folder 12-13
Courses - Art 4 - Materials & Techniques - 5th Week
approximately 1940-1989
Carton 4, Folder 14-16
Courses - Art 4 - Materials & Techniques - 6th Week
approximately 1940-1989
Carton 5, Folder 1-2
Courses - Art 4 - Materials & Techniques - 7th Week
approximately 1940-1989
oversize_box 1, Folder 8
Courses - Art 4 - Materials & Techniques - 7th Week
approximately 1940-1989
Carton 5, Folder 3-5
Courses - Art 4 - Materials & Techniques - 8th Week
approximately 1940-1989
oversize_box 1, Folder 9
Courses - Art 4 - Materials & Techniques - 8th Week
approximately 1940-1989
Carton 5, Folder 6-9
Courses - Art 4 - Materials & Techniques - 9th Week
approximately 1940-1989
oversize_box 1, Folder 10
Courses - Art 4 - Materials & Techniques - 9th Week
approximately 1940-1989
Carton 5, Folder 10-13
Courses - Art 4 - Materials & Techniques - 10th Week
approximately 1940-1989
Carton 5, Folder 14
Topics - Composition & Space
approximately 1940-1989
Carton 5, Folder 15
Topics - Murals/Frescos/Mosaics
approximately 1940-1989
Carton 5, Folder 16
Topics - Photography
approximately 1940-1989
Carton 5, Folder 17
Topics - Printmaking
approximately 1940-1989
Carton 5, Folder 18
Topics - Special Effects
approximately 1940-1989
Carton 5, Folder 19
Handouts on Techniques & Materials
approximately 1940-1989
