Life Drawing Model Collection, 1911-1982

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Summary

Creators:
San Francisco Art Institute
Abstract:
Extent:
1 box, 12 folders, .42 linear feet
Language:
Preferred citation:

Life Drawing Model Collection. San Francisco Art Institute Archive

Background

Scope and content:

The collection holds materials documenting the use and employment of artists’ models at the San Francisco Art Institute (also known as the California School of Design from 1874-1916 and the California School of Fine Arts from 1916-1961). Material in this collection dates from the years 1911 until 1979. A majority of the collection’s materials are in the form of correspondence between the school and current or potential models. This correspondence also includes a section of model photographs from the 1970s, that include the models’ contact information and CVs. Specific correspondence between well-known model Atononio Corsi and the school during the years 1912-1919, and an excerpt from a publication referencing his modeling work, have their own folder. Other correspondence chronicles the formation of the Models’ Guild of San Francisco in 1946 (also listed as the San Francisco Models Association, and as of this writing known as the Bay Area Models’ Guild). It continues with documents into the 1970s covering the Guild’s member agreements, rates, and models lists. Other items in the collection are model books from 1931-1945 and 1972-1978, that document instructors, meeting times, and models used for individual classes. Also held in the collection are publication clippings from the 1970s regarding models at SFAI and the Models’ Guild of San Francisco. In 1982 the Archives of American Art microfilmed parts of this collection and the inventory list of that project is included.

Biographical / historical:

The San Francisco Art Institute (SFAI) was a private fine arts college dating back to 1874 when the San Francisco Art Association, an organization founded in 1871 to promote and exhibit local artists, first began offering art classes to the public. The school was known as the California School of Design from 1874 through 1916, and the California School of Fine Arts from 1916 through 1961, when it became the San Francisco Art Institute (SFAI). SFAI closed in 2022.

Acquisition information:
Material in this collection was internally generated by the San Francisco Art Institute.

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is open for research use.

Terms of access:

Contact the San Francisco Art Institute Legacy Foundation + Archive for questions or requests regarding use of these materials.

Preferred citation:

Life Drawing Model Collection. San Francisco Art Institute Archive

Location of this collection:
20 Hawthorne St.
San Francisco, CA 94105, US