Bachardy (Don) Papers, 1925-2013

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Summary

Title:
Don Bachardy papers
Dates:
1925-2013
Creators:
Bachardy, Don
Abstract:
Materials related to the personal and professional life of artist Don Bachardy, including personal papers, photographs, and drawings and paintings created by him.
Extent:
60.16 Linear Feet (15 boxes, 57 oversize folders)
Language:
Materials are in English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. Don Bachardy papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Background

Scope and content:

Material documenting the personal and professional life of artist Don Bachardy, including artworks, personal papers, and photographs. Artworks consist of portraits Bachardy created primarily between 1961 and 2002, with some early works from the 1940s and 1950s, and include drawings in pencil or pen and ink, as well as acrylic paintings.

Biographical / historical:

Don Bachardy is an artist known for his portraits of artistic, literary, and film personalities. Born in Los Angeles in 1934, he studied at the Chouinard Art Institute in Los Angeles and the Slade School of Art in London. As a portrait artist, Bachardy primarily worked in black and white ink, watercolors, and acrylics. He completed each work in a single session, with subjects usually coming to his Santa Monica studio. His first solo exhibition was held in 1961 at the Redfern Gallery in London. Throughout Bachardy's career, subsequent solo exhibitions have been presented in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Houston, and New York.

His portraits are included in the permanent collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art; de Young Museum of Art, San Francisco; University of Texas; University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA); the Fogg Museum, Harvard University; the California State Capitol; the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery, Washington, D.C.; the National Portrait Gallery, London; and The Huntington.

Bachardy met writer Christopher Isherwood in 1952, and they remained together until Isherwood's death in 1986. He currently lives in Santa Monica, California.

Acquisition information:
Acquired from Don Bachardy, 1998-2025.
Processing information:

Artwork series processed in parts at the time of accessioning by Kelly Kress and Kahlee Leingang.

Arrangement:

Organized in two series: 1. Artwork; 2. Personal papers (UNPROCESSED)

Physical / technical requirements:

Boxes 5 and 6 have been treated for mold.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Kelly Kress and Kahlee Leingang
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2025-11-21 15:45:28 -0800 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at the Huntington Library for more information.

IN PROCESS COLLECTION. Portions of the collection are still being processed and material may be unavailable. Please contact Reader Services for more information.

Terms of access:

The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining necessary permissions rests with the researcher.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. Don Bachardy papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Location of this collection:
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108, US
Contact:
(626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org
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