Guide to the Verena Ruegg Collection
MS.P.007
Finding aid prepared by Christine Kim, Zoe MacLeod, Alix Norton, and student assistants with assistance from Audra Eagle Yun
Special Collections and Archives, University of California, Irvine Libraries
The UCI Libraries
P.O. Box 19557
University of California, Irvine
Irvine, California, 92623-9557
949-824-3947
spcoll@uci.edu
© 2013
Title: Verena Ruegg collection
Identifier/Call Number: MS.P.007
Contributing Institution:
Special Collections and Archives, University of California, Irvine Libraries
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
83.0 Linear feet
(140 boxes)
Date (bulk): Bulk, 1925-1972
Date (inclusive): 1913-1972
Language of Collection Materials: Collection materials are in
English.
Abstract: This collection comprises the drawings and sketches of Verena Ruegg, a painter, etcher, lithographer, printmaker, and craftsperson
from Hollywood, California. Also included are works selected for exhibition or for sale. Forms of materials include sketches,
paintings, lithographs, etchings, programs, photographs, correspondence, and clippings.
Creator:
Ruegg, Verena
Access
The collection is open for research. Access to fragile photographic originals is restricted. Digital copies may be requested.
Publication Rights
Property rights reside with the University of California. For permissions to reproduce or to publish, please contact the Head
of Special Collections and Archives.
Preferred Citation
Verena Ruegg Collection. MS-P007. Special Collections and Archives, The UC Irvine Libraries, Irvine, California. Date accessed.
For the benefit of current and future researchers, please cite any additional information about sources consulted in this
collection, including permanent URLs, item or folder descriptions, and box/folder locations.
Acquisition Information
Gift of Nettie Tilton, 1975.
Processing History
Processed by Christine Kim, Zoe MacLeod, and Alix Norton with assistance from Audra Eagle Yun, 2012-2013.
Historical Background
Verena Ruegg was a California artist who sketched ballet performances of dance companies touring Los Angeles venues. She was
born in San Francisco, California on April 30, 1895 and resided in Hollywood.
Ruegg attended Chouinard Art Institute, now known as the California Institute of the Arts, as well as Otis Art Institute,
both located in Southern California. While attending Otis Art Institute, Ruegg participated in a poster contest for the California
Botanic Garden in March 1928. Her poster received an honorable mention.
In April 1929, Ruegg participated in the first nonjury art exhibit held at the Architects Building located in Los Angeles.
Her piece, shown in the print and watercolor department, was titled “Aurora Borealis”. Ruegg was also part of the 22nd Annual
Exhibition with the California Art Club, in 1932. Her piece, called "Native Life,” was displayed throughout November and December
at the Los Angeles Museum at Exposition Park. A number of Ruegg’s lithographs and etchings were also exhibited at the Los
Angeles Museum in June 1932.
Ruegg competed for the United States in the 1932 Summer Olympics. She participated in multiple “Mixed Painting” events in
the Art Competitions. Four works were submitted, titled “Figures I”, “Figures II”, “The Race”, and “Athletes”. Later that
summer in August, Ruegg joined Myra Kinch’s Olympic ballet group as one of eighteen dancers performing at the Greek Theater.
In 1932, Ruegg also exhibited work at the Corcoran Gallery biennial and the California State Fair, where she received an award.
Ruegg also exhibited and received prizes at the Los Angeles County Fair in 1934, 1935, and 1936.
In 1939, a fire starting on the roof of Ruegg’s home destroyed the house, but her husband, Fred Robinson, an actor’s agent,
saved many of her paintings. Ruegg’s husband was killed by a car the following year while walking the family dog, an event
that captured the attention of local media.
In addition to attending and sketching many ballet performances, Ruegg also visited dance classes, including those taught
by Irina Nijinska, Ernest Belcher, Dorothy Lyndall, Micho Ito, and Muriel Stuart.
Ruegg is known for painting, etching, creating lithographs, and making prints. She was also a member of the California Art
Club association. Ruegg died in 1973.
Bibliography
"22nd Annual Gold Medal Juried Exhibition."
California Art Club. Accessed May 1, 2012. http://www.californiaartclub.org/22nd-annual-gold-medal-juried-exhibition/.
"Brief Art Reviews."
Los Angeles Times. June 12, 1932.
Miller, Arthur. "Many Seek Expression: Nonjury Art Exhibit Shows Number of Angelenos Striving to Give Voice to Feelings."
Los Angeles Times, April 7, 1929.
"Myra Kinch to Appear in Concert: Dancer from Germany to Introduce Ballet Group on Supporting Program."
Los Angeles Times. July 31, 1932.
Olympics at Sports-Reference. "Verena Ruegg Biography and Olympic Results." Accessed May 1, 2012. http://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/ru/verena-ruegg-1.html.
"Pet Stands Guard Over Dead Master's Clothes."
Los Angeles Times. January 31, 1940.
"Storm Fans Many Blazes: Blind Girl Injured and Much Property Destroyed by Fires."
Los Angeles Times. February 17, 1939.
"Winners in Garden Poster Constest: Student at Otis Art Institute Awarded First Prize."
Los Angeles Times, March 16, 1928.
Who Was Who in American Art: 400 years of artists in America. Second edition. Three volumes. Edited by Peter Hastings Falk. Madison, CT: Sound View Press, 1999.
Collection Scope and Content Summary
This collection comprises the drawings and sketches of Verena Ruegg, a painter, etcher, lithographer, printmaker, and craftsperson
from Hollywood, California. Many major dance companies and notable individual dancers from around the world are portrayed.
Materials were largely created and compiled while Ruegg attended ballet performances touring in Los Angeles, California. The
sketches are largely done in pen, pencil, paint, or crayon. Also included are works selected for exhibition or for sale, many
of which are framed on mat boards. The collection also includes Ruegg's correspondence with her associates in dance, and research
materials collected by Ruegg, such as dance performance programs and clippings. Forms of materials include sketches, paintings,
lithographs, etchings, programs, photographs, correspondence, and clippings.
Arrangement
This collection is arranged in 4 series:
- Series 1. Dance performance sketches, 1927-1970
- Series 2. Works selected for exhibition by Ruegg, 1925-1960
- Series 3. Correspondence, 1937-1972
- Series 4. Research materials, 1913-1971
Processing Note
Several boxes from the collection were consolidated during processing. As a result, some box numbers do not appear in the
collection.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Ballet dancers in art
Ballet dancers.
Etchings
Lithographs
Paintings
Sketches -- 20th century.
Dance performance sketches Series 1.
1927-1970
Series Scope and Content Summary
This series contains dance performances sketched by Verena Ruegg. The bulk of the sketches are done in pencil, pen, paint,
or crayon. Also included are correspondence, programs, clippings, and photographs related to the performances.
Arrangement
This series is arranged first alphabetically by performer or performance name, and then chronologically.
Box 84, Folder 1-2
Alexandra Danilova and Group
1954 October 30
Box 42, Folder 3
Alicia Markova
1954 September 8
Box 81, Folder 4
Alicia Markova and Anton Dolin
1947 November 14-15
Box 123, Folder 1, Box 124, Folder 1
1970 January 21 - February 1
Box 36, Folder 1
Ana Maria's Spanish Ballet
1952 November
Box 108, Folder 2
Angna Enters Assistance League Playhouse
1936-1951
Antonio and the Ballets de Madrid
1964-1968
Box 109, Folder 4
Antonio Triata Luisita and Lola Montes
1944 June 7
Box 52, Folder 1
Argentinita and company
1944 november 28
Azuma Kabuki Dancers and Musicians
1954-1956
Box 122, Folder 2
Ballet America
1967 September 28
Box 30, Folder 2
Ballet Folklore of Mexico
1969 January 21
Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo
1935-1962
Box 61, Folder
1936 January 24 - February 1
Box 70, Folder 1-8
1939 January 24 - February 4
Box 72, Folder 1-9, Box 71, Folder 1-10
Box 118, Folder 1-5
1942 November 27 - December 5
Box 10, Folder 2
1943 November 26 - December 3
Box 32, Folder 2
1945 November 30 - December 8
Box 24, Folder , Box 24, Folder 1
1946 November 29 - December 7
Box 4, Folder 1-20, Box 10, Folder 7
Box 105, Folder 1-4, Box 106, Folder 1-4, Box 10, Folder 10
1951 November 30 - December 8
Box 55, Folder 2, Box 54, Folder 1, Box 10, Folder 13
Box 75, Folder 1-17, Box 74, Folder 12-19
Box 68, Folder 1-12, Box 69, Folder 1-13
Box 10, Folder 14, Box 103, Folder 1
1958 January 31 - February 8
Box 57, Folder 1
1960 December 25 - 1961 January 7
Box 89, Folder 1-5, Box 90, Folder 1-4
1945 February 13 - March 3
Box 5, Folder 8-9
1945 February 24 - March 3
Box 91, Folder 1-6, Box 109, Folder 2
Box 92, Folder 1-5
1951 October 29 - November 9
Box 5, Folder 14-15
1951 October 29 - November 10
Box 94, Folder 1-3, Box 93, Folder 1-4
Box 107, Folder 9-14
Bayanihan Philippine Dance Company
1959 December 3
Box 81, Folder 2, Box 102, Folder 2
Carmalita Maracci and her dance group
1940-1953
Carmen Amaya and her company
1943-1961
"Choura" or Alexandra Danilova
Box 43, Folder 2
Dorothy Lyndall
1932-1934
Scope and Content Summary
These sketches contain drawings of students in classes taught by Dorothy Lyndall. Notable students include Myra Kinch, Yuriko,
and Peggy Reis. Also includes lithographs created with sandpaper.
Ernest Belcher
1933-1935
Scope and Content Summary
These sketches contain drawings of students in classes taught by Ernest Belcher.
Box 96, Folder 1
circa 1933-1935
Scope and Content Summary
Also includes lithographs created with sandpaper.
Irina Nijinska
1940
Scope and Content Summary
These sketches contain drawings of students in classes taught by Irina Nijinska. Notable students include Constance Cavendisha
and Cyd Charisse.
Box 40, Folder 2, Box 41, Folder 2
Box 5, Folder 30-32
Janet Collins
1948 August
Maria Bekefi
1934-1949
Scope and Content Summary
These sketches contain drawings of students in classes taught by Maria Bekefi.
Box 43, Folder 1
Micho Ito
1934 October - November
Scope and Content Summary
These sketches contain drawings of students in classes taught by Micho Ito.
Muriel Stuart
1927-1933
Scope and Content Summary
These sketches contain drawings of students in classes taught by Muriel Stuart. Notable students include Agnes de Mille and
Edna von Breymann.
Box 40, Folder 4, Box 29, Folder 5
Dancers of Bali
1953-1962
Box 120, Folder 4
Danilova and Youskevic
undated
Box 117, Folder 4
Edna von Breymann
circa 1930
Box 117, Folder 3
Eduardo Cansino
circa 1927-1928
Box 82, Folder 6-11
Foo Hsing Theatre
1962 October 30 - November 3
Box 122, Folder 5
Georgina State Dance Company
1960 April 27
Box 117, Folder 2
Gweneth Verdon
1960 May 20
Box 11, Folder 4
H. N. Clugston
1943 December 9-11
Box 88, Folder 4-5
Harkness Ballet
1966 September 12-17
Harold Kreutzberg
1933-1953
Box 16, Folder 6
Harold Kreutzberg and Ruth Page
1934 March 23
Box 108, Folder 6
Harriette Ann Gray and Company
1954 March
Box 5, Folder 29
Jack Cole with Gweneth Verdon
1949 July
Box 111, Folder 7
Jean Leon Destine and his Haitian Dance Group
1952 April 7-10
Box 11, Folder 5
Jooss European Ballet
1936 December 8-12
Box 36, Folder 2-5
Jose Greco
1953 November 20
Jose Limon and Dance Company
1953-1954
Box 44, Folder 3
Jose Torres Fernandez and Carola Athena
1933 February 8
Box 82, Folder 12-14, Box 12, Folder 14
Katherine Dunham
1941-1962
Box 112, Folder 5-10
Lado, the National Dance Ensemble of Yugoslavia
1967 September 25 - October 1
Leningrad Kirov Ballet
1964
Box 113, Folder 5-8
Lester Horton Dance Theatre
1949 July 17-24
Box 58, Folder 2
Lester Horton Demonstration Group
1952
Box 115, Folder 1-14
London Festival Ballet
1954 December 25 - 1955 January 1
Box 17, Folder 1
Madame Butterfly
1937 February 2
Box 5, Folder 24, Box 108, Folder 5
Box 16, Folder 12
Mary Wigman and her Dance Group
1933 January 30
Box 77, Folder 1, Box 85, Folder 1-8
Box 53, Folder 1
National Ballet of Canada
1958 March 31
New York City Ballet
1953-1964
Box 26, Folder 1-5, Box 109, Folder 7
Box 27, Folder 1-3, Box 27, Folder 12-13
Box 120, Folder 5
Odori Festival of Japan
1967 August 19
Box 44, Folder 4
Old Globe Theatre
1935 September - October
Box 121, Folder 4
Old Vic Company
1954 November 13
Original Ballet Russe
1940-1947
Box 46, Folder 1
Primitive Dance: Ravicz
1964
Box 11, Folder 3
Professional Wrestling
1935 April 1
Box 111, Folder 2
Roland Petit's Ballets de Paris
1950
Box 88, Folder 1-3
Romanian Folk Ballet
1968 November
Royal Danish Ballet
1957-1965
Box 33, Folder 4-5
1960 August 18 - September 3
Box 121, Folder 5
Ruthanna Boris
1956 August
Sadler's Wells Ballet
1950-1955
Box 74, Folder 1-11, Box 49, Folder 1, Box 111, Folder 5
Box 7, Folder 1-17, Box 6, Folder 1-19
Box 19, Folder 1-2
1951 December 25 - 1952 January 5
Box 50, Folder 1-6
San Carlo Opera Company
1935 February 2-16
San Francisco Opera Ballet
1940-1949
Box 47, Folder 1
1949 October 25 - November 9
Box 117, Folder 1
Slavenska and her Ballet Variante
1948 March 31
Box 3, Folder 1-13
Slavenska-Franklin Ballet
1953 March 30-31
Box 98, Folder 1, Box 97, Folder 1
Box 100, Folder 3
Sujata and Asoka Dances of India and Tibet
1952 January 17-27
Box 100, Folder 2
Takarazuka Dance Theatre
1959 September 2-6
Box 83, Folder 1-3
Tamara Toumanova
1956 November 13
Box 16, Folder 11
Tanagra and Warren Lee
1935 January 30
Box 29, Folder 3
Te Arohanui Maori Company of New Zealand
1963 October 30
Box 16, Folder 3
Ted Shawn and His Ensemble of Men Dancers
1935 December 17
Box 45, Folder 4
Teiko Ito Oriental Dance Recital
undated
Box 82, Folder 1-5
The Merry Widow
1961 April
Uday Shankar and his Hindu Ballet
1950-1952
Box 5, Folder 21
1950 January 31 - February 1
Unidentified performances
Box 11, Folder 1
Nude sketches in pencil
undated
Box 62, Folder 11-13
Sketches in pencil and watercolor on construction paper
undated
Box 116, Folder 1
Sketches in pencil and paint on mixed paper
Box 121, Folder 1
Sketches in pencil and pen
1954-1965
Box 121, Folder 2
Sketches in pencil and marker
circa 1960
Box 46, Folder 2
Sketches in pencil and crayon
undated
Box 41, Folder 3
Lithographs
undated
Scope and Content Summary
Includes lithographs created with sandpaper.
Box 46, Folder 3,5-6
Sketches in pencil
undated
Box 46, Folder 4,7
Sketches in pencil and watercolor
Box 125, Folder 1-3, Box 126, Folder 1-3
Sketches, etchings, lithographs, and other materials
circa 1925-1940
Box 122, Folder 1
Zizi Jeanmaire
1964 August 27
Works selected for exhibition by Ruegg Series 2.
1925-1960
Series Scope and Content Summary
This series contains works selected for exhibition or for sale by Verena Ruegg. The bulk of the work is done in pencil, pen,
paint, or crayon. Many of the pieces are framed on mat boards. Also includes sandpaper lithographs, etchings, and photographs.
Arrangement
This series is arranged first alphabetically and then chronologically.
Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo
1947
Scope and Content Summary
Contains artwork using paint on handmade canvas.
Box 131
Gaite with Alexandra Danilova
circa 1947
Scope and Content Summary
Performance at the Hollywood Bowl, in Los Angeles, California.
Box 129
Gertrude Tyven and Pauline Goddard
1947 July 29 - August 9
Scope and Content Summary
Performance at the Hollywood Bowl, in Los Angeles, California.
Box 128
Nutcracker with Alexandra Danilova and Frederic Franklin
1947 August 7
Scope and Content Summary
Performance at the Philharmonic Auditorium, in Los Angeles, California.
Box 132
Swan Lake
circa 1947
Scope and Content Summary
Performance at the Philharmonic Auditorium, in Los Angeles, California.
Box 130
untitled
circa 1947
Scope and Content Summary
Performance at the Philharmonic Auditorium, in Los Angeles, California.
Choura
1954-1957
Scope and Content Summary
Choura was the biannual journal of the Alexandra Danilova Fan Club. The journal includes photographs, testimonials, discussion on
Alexandra Danilova. Artwork by Verena Ruegg is featured in this journal. Barbara Reisner, president of the fan club, assembles
the journal by hand. Also contains correspondence from Reisner to Ruegg.
Ernest Belcher dancer cards
1960
Scope and Content Summary
These materials may be related to Ernest Belcher sketches and photographs in other parts of the collection.
Box 58, Folder 5
Negatives
1960
Access
Access to photographic originals is restricted. Digital copies may be requested.
Box 58, Folder 6
"Noel" card pattern
undated
Correspondence Series 3.
1937-1972
Series Scope and Content Summary
This series contains correspondence between Verena Ruegg and her associates in dance. Also included are dance programs, tickets,
photographs, and art related to dance.
Arrangement
This series is arranged first alphabetically and then chronologically.
Box 58, Folder 10-11
Belcher, Ernest
1955-1970
Box 59, Folder 9
Cohen, Selma Jeanne
1967-1970
Box 59, Folder 10
Danilova, Alexandra
1955-1960
Box 59, Folder 11-12
de Brauw, Corrie
1953-1972
Box 60, Folder 4
Lewitzky, Bella
1956-1972
Box 60, Folder 6
Lyndall, Dorothy
1953-1969
Box 60, Folder 7
Michel Panaieff Ballet Center
1956
Box 60, Folder 9-11
Pourmel, Sophie
1951-1971
Box 60, Folder 13
Selzer, Ed, Laura, Phyllis and Bob
undated
Box 60, Folder 14
Terekhov, Yvonne Chouteau
1957
Research materials Series 4.
Bulk, 1928-1971
1913-1971
Series Scope and Content Summary
This series contains dance performance programs and clippings collected by Verena Ruegg. Also included are correspondence,
photographs, publications, and other materials related to dance.
Arrangement
This series is arranged first alphabetically and then chronologically.
Box 134, Folder 1-4
Notes, lists, and other materials
undated
Scope and Content Summary
Includes notes and resources on dance, art, and music.
Box 135, Folder 1-2
Notes, lists, and other materials
undated
Scope and Content Summary
Includes notes and resources on dance, art, and music.
Box 133, Folder 1-4
Photographs
Scope and Content Summary
Includes photographs of Yuriko, Myra Kinch, and other performers. Also includes photographs from Ernest Belcher.
Programs, clippings, and other materials
1913-1971
Box 135, Folder 7, Box 138, Folder 1
Box 135, Folder 9, Box 138, Folder 2
Box 135, Folder 12, Box 138, Folder 3
Box 135, Folder 14, Box 138, Folder 4
Box 135, Folder 17, Box 138, Folder 5
Box 138, Folder 6, Box 136, Folder 1
Box 138, Folder 7, Box 136, Folder 2
Box 138, Folder 8, Box 136, Folder 5
Box 138, Folder 9, Box 136, Folder 7
Box 138, Folder 10, Box 136, Folder 8
Box 138, Folder 11, Box 136, Folder 10
Box 138, Folder 12, Box 136, Folder 11
Box 138, Folder 13, Box 136, Folder 12
Box 136, Folder 13, Box 138, Folder 14
Box 136, Folder 14, Box 138, Folder 15
Box 136, Folder 15, Box 138, Folder 16
Box 136, Folder 16, Box 138, Folder 17
Box 137, Folder 1, Box 139, Folder 1
Box 137, Folder 2, Box 139, Folder 2
Box 137, Folder 3, Box 139, Folder 3
Box 137, Folder 4, Box 139, Folder 4
Box 137, Folder 5, Box 139, Folder 5
Box 137, Folder 6, Box 139, Folder 6
Box 139, Folder 7, Box 137, Folder 7
Box 139, Folder 8, Box 137, Folder 9
Box 49, Folder 1
Sadler's Wells Ballet poster
1950 Octover 19-28