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Kurt Baer Papers
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Table of contents What's This?
  • Descriptive Summary
  • Access
  • Publication Rights
  • Preferred Citation
  • Acquisition Information
  • Biography/Administrative History
  • Scope and Content of Collection
  • Indexing Terms
  • Additional collection guides

  • Descriptive Summary

    Title: Kurt Baer Papers
    Dates: 1903-1979
    Collection Number: KB
    Creator/Collector: Baer, Kurt
    Extent: ~ 12 linear feet (27 Documents Boxes, 1 Oversize flat file box)
    Repository: Santa Bárbara Mission Archive-Library
    Santa Barbara, California 93105
    Abstract: UCSB Professor of Art and Art History Kurt Baer was appointed the official art historian of Franciscan missions in California. The Kurt Baer Papers represent Dr. Baer's research materials compiled while writing his three books on the missions and their art and architecture.
    Language of Material: English

    Access

    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

    [Identification of item]. Kurt Baer Papers. Collection Number: KB. Santa Bárbara Mission Archive-Library

    Biography/Administrative History

    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.

    Scope and Content of Collection

    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.

    Indexing Terms

    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.).

    Additional collection guides