Merritt Collection of José Clemente Orozco, 1930-1980 and undated

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Summary

Title:
Merritt Collection of José Clemente Orozco
Dates:
1930-1980 and undated
Creators:
Merritt, Dorothy and Merritt, Earl "Fuzz"
Abstract:
Correspondence, manuscripts, and newspaper clippings related to the painting of José Clemente Orozco's fresco Prometheus in Frary Hall at Pomona College.
Extent:
0.2 Linear Feet (1 slim document box)
Language:
Languages represented in the collection: English .
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Merritt Collection of José Clemente Orozco (H.Mss.1000). Special Collections and Archives, The Claremont Colleges Library, The Claremont Colleges Services, Claremont, California.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains materials collected and created by Dorothy Merritt related José Clemente Orozco and the painting of the Prometheus fresco at Frary Hall, Pomona College. The collection spans the years 1930-1980 and includes correspondence, manuscripts, clippings, and images of Prometheus. Clippings and articles relate to José Clemente Orozco and Prometheus and include annotations and research notes. The correspondence primarily focuses on the fresco project and includes memories and information from Pomona College staff and faculty members who were associated with the project. Of particular interest is a handwritten letter from Jose Clemente Orozco to Dorothy and Earl Merritt from 1930, which speaks of his current projects and reflections on his time working at Pomona College. Two manuscripts are also included, one by Dorothy Merritt with a focus on Jose Clemente Orozco's career and major works, and another by Earl Merritt which includes his reflections on Orozco's time in Claremont.

Biographical / historical:

José Clemente Orozco (November 23, 1883 – September 7, 1949) was a Mexican painter and leader of the Mexican muralist movement. His Prometheus fresco was painted at Pomona College's Frary Hall in 1930 and was the first mural painted in the United States by Orozco. Depicting the Greek myth of Prometheus stealing fire from the gods, the fresco marked the launching of the Mexican mural movement in the United States, and following Pomona, Orozco would go on to create commissions for the New School for Social Research in New York City and Dartmouth College.

Dorothy Titus Merritt (1898-1989) graduated from Pomona College in 1924 and earned her M.A. in English from Claremont Graduate School in 1925. Dorothy Merritt taught for 44 years at the University of La Verne, teaching English literature, English drama, and art history. During her tenure, she also served as chairperson on the humanities division and dean of women. Earl "Fuzz" Merritt (1896-1996) graduated from Pomona College in 1925, later joining the football coaching staff, where he served as head football coach from 1935 to 1958.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Jack Merritt, 2008.
Processing information:

Arranged and processed by Jamie Weber in 2009.

Arrangement:

Folders in the collection are arranged alphabetically by title.

Accruals:

No additions to the collection are anticipated.

Physical location:
Please consult repository.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Jamie Weber
Date Prepared:
© 2024
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2024-06-21 13:26:12 -0700 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

Collection open for research.

Terms of access:

All requests for permission to publish must be submitted in writing to Special Collections.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Merritt Collection of José Clemente Orozco (H.Mss.1000). Special Collections and Archives, The Claremont Colleges Library, The Claremont Colleges Services, Claremont, California.

Location of this collection:
800 N. Dartmouth Ave.
Claremont, CA 91711, US
Contact:
(909) 607‑3977
specialcollections@claremont.edu
Website