Baer, Kurt Papers, 1903-1979

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Title:: Kurt Baer Papers
Dates:: 1903-1979
Creators:: Baer, Kurt
Abstract:
Extent:: ~ 12 linear feet (27 Documents Boxes, 1 Oversize flat file box)
Language:
Preferred citation:: Kurt Baer Papers. Santa Bárbara Mission Archive-Library

Scope and content:: Kurt Baer’s papers include photographs, correspondence, research materials, notes, and articles on the art and architecture of Colonial Mexico and the Californian and Sonoran Missions.
Biographical / historical:: Kurt Baer (1903-1979) was born in Switzerland in 1903 and moved to California in 1909 with his family. He went on to study at U.C. Berkeley and worked in the arts before getting his Ph.D. from the University of Southern California. In 1947, Baer began teaching art and history at UCSB. While teaching, Baer became interested in California mission art and architecture. He wrote three books on the topic including: Painting and Sculpture at Mission Santa Barbara (1955), The Treasures of Mission Santa Ines (1956), and Architecture of California Missions (1958). Baer spent his professional career participating in the excavation and restoration of several missions and mission era buildings. He was appointed the official art historian of Franciscan missions in California. In 1960, he received a fellowship from the Organization of American States to lecture and conduct research in Mexico. In 1961, Baer moved to Peru under the Fulbright program to continue his research and study before returning to the United States the following year.

Subjects:: Santa Barbara Mission -- Catalogs.
Art, Latin American.
Spanish mission buildings.
Church decoration and ornament -- California -- Santa Barbara.
Religious architecture.
Missions, Spanish -- California.
Santa Inés Mission (Solvang, Calif.).
Santa Barbara Mission -- Catalogs.
Painting -- California -- Santa Barbara -- Catalogs.
Spanish mission buildings
California missions
Santa Inés Mission

Collection Guide Author:: Finding aid created by Santa Bárbara Mission Archive-Library staff.
Date Prepared:: 1903-1979
Date Encoded:: This finding aid was produced using Record Express for OAC5 on July 14, 2025, 2:54 p.m.

Access and use

Restrictions:: The collection is open for research use by appointment. To make an appointment call (805) 682-4713 ext. 131 or email research@sbmal.org

Preferred citation:: Kurt Baer Papers. Santa Bárbara Mission Archive-Library

Location of this collection:: Santa Bárbara Mission Archive-Library

2201 Laguna Street

Santa Barbara, CA 93105, US