Collection Guide
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Humanities Art Collection
2019-07-08
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Table of contents
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
SJSU Special Collections & Archives
Title: Humanities Art Collection
Identifier/Call Number: 2019-07-08
Physical Description:
1 Box
1 over-sized box (.25 linear feet)
Physical Description:
17 flat file drawers
17 flat file drawers (51 linear feet)
Date (inclusive): circa 1502-2017
Date (bulk): 1750-1980
Abstract: This collection consists of approximately 450 original prints that were purchased for research and reference use for the study
of art and humanities at San José State University.
The collection is physically arranged by folder size, then alphabetically by creator. The finding aid has been organized in
four series by geographical origin: I. Asia, II. Europe, III. North and South America, IV. Unknown Origin. Series are subdivided
by nationality. Files are alphabetized by creator.
The artworks in this collection were bought for the Humanities Reading Room (also called the Art Reading Room) for reference
use in the Wahlquist Library. From November 6-17, 1978, a small selection of prints was displayed in an exhibit at Gallery
One, located in the Department of Art at San Carlos and Ninth Streets. The bulk of the Japanese woodblock prints were separated
for the exhibit and were subsequently processed as a stand-alone collection. When the Clark Library opened in 1982, both collections
were transferred to the San José Special Collections and Archives Department, which also moved to a larger facility in the
Wahlquist Library at the time.
Items acquired before the mid-1970s had been previously cataloged for their use as part of the SJSU main library collections,
but the records have been lost. Many have library stamps and metadata about the art genre (etching, lithograph, etc.), national
origin, title, author and date that were written on the frames, which were used in the creation of the finding aid.
Collection is open for research.
Copyright has not been assigned to the San Jose State University Library Special Collections & Archives. All requests for
permission to publish or quote manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of San Jose State University Special
Collections & Archives. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Special Collections and Archives as the owner
of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained
by the reader. Copyright restrictions also apply to digital representations of the original materials. Use of digital files
from or derived from these collections is restricted to research and educational purposes.
Humanities Art Collection, MSS-2019-07-08, San Jose State University Library Special Collections & Archives
Collection processed by Monica Keane, January 2020
Bob Freimark Collection, MSS-2008-05-01, San José State University Library, Special Collections & Archives.
Japanese Woodblock Prints and Brush Paintings Collection, MSS-2010-07-01, San José State University Library Special Collections
& Archives.
This collection consists of approximately 450 original art prints that were purchased for research and reference use for the
study of art and humanities at San José State University. The collection represents major types of printmaking, including
relief (wood cut and wood engraving), intaglio (engraving and etching), lithography and screen printing. It also includes
other methods of reproduction such as stone rubbings.
Much in the way that the collection attempts to comprehensively represent various techniques used to mechanically reproduce
art, it also attempts to give a representative selection of different print genres (fine art prints, botanical illustrations,
and satirical cartoons) and artistic styles (abstract art, expressionism, pop art, realism, and surrealism). The majority
of the prints are hand-signed and numbered.
Japanese Woodblock Prints and Brush Paintings Collection, MSS-2010-07-01
Subjects and Indexing Terms
San Jose State University -- Art Department
San Jose State College -- Library
San José State University -- Special Collections & Archives
Art -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- California -- San José.
Prints
SJSU Special Collections & Archives