J. G. (Jan Gerrit) van Gelder papers, circa 1906-1981

Printable guide [HTML]

Summary

Creators:
Gelder, J. G. van (Jan Gerrit), 1903-1980
Abstract:
Dutch art historian. Correspondence, notes, photographs, offprints, and annotated books and journals, the bulk organized according to the historical period or artist to which the material pertains. The largest single group of material belongs to the re-publication project of J. B. de la Faille's catalogue raisonné of the work of Vincent van Gogh.
Extent:
18.0 linear feet (37 boxes)
Language:
Collection material is in Dutch; Flemish

Background

Scope and content:

The papers in this collection were acquired along with van Gelder's library. Much of the material was found inside van Gelder's books; generally, folders have been labeled with the name of the book in which the papers were found. Some of the books are now located in the Center Library.

The papers cover a wide variety of art topics and periods, reflecting van Gelder's broad range of interest. While the papers were not formally organized at the time of acquisition, the order in which they were found has been retained as much as possible. Overall, the material divides into the various periods of art history. Within each period, there are sections dealing with both the period in general and with individual artists of that period. These sections contain material from van Gelder's own publications (indicated by the initials "JvG"), publications by other scholars, miscellaneous materials from books now located in the Center Library, and annotated books and catalogues. However, this organization is only rough at best. In order to respect van Gelder's viewpoint as much as possible, materials that were found together have been kept together in the collection, even if some do not relate to the same overall period or artist as the other materials.

The largest single group of material is that which deals with the republication of J. B. de la Faille's Catalogue Raisonné of the works of Vincent van Gogh. This project was commissioned by the Dutch government in 1962, and it took a team of scholars ten years to prepare the new catalogue. The collection contains various drafts for the catalogue entries, photographs of the works of Van Gogh, as well as correspondence of the members of the editorial board and notes of the board meetings. All the material pertaining to this project has been kept together and is found at the end of the collection in Series XII.

Arrangement

The papers are organized in twelve series: Series I. General art, art history, and cultural history, ca. 1930-1978; Series II. Dutch art, general, 1941-1980; Series III. 15th and 16th century Dutch and Flemish art, 1932-1980; Series IV. Rubens, 1938-1981, n.d.; Series V. 17th century Dutch art, 1927-1981; Series VI. Rembrandt, 1925-1980; Series VII. 18th and 19th century Dutch art, 1938-1978; Series VIII. Vincent van Gogh (not including Catalogue Raisonné), 1928-1978; Series IX. 20th century Dutch art, 1938-1980, n.d.; Series X. Non-Dutch art, 1926-1981; Series XI. Miscellaneous materials, 1920-1980; Series XII. Vincent van Gogh, Catalogue Raisonné, 1959-1974, n.d.

Biographical / historical:

Jan Gerrit van Gelder was the eldest son of H.E. van Gelder (1876-1960) who was director of the municipal museum of The Hague from 1912 to 1941. In 1922, while still at the gymnasium in The Hague, he published his first article on Dutch landscape painting from the 16th to the 20th century. In 1923 Van Gelder enrolled as a student in art history at the University of Utrecht. He studied there with W. Vogelsang, then one of the most prominent art historians in the Netherlands. However, Van Gelder did not spend much time at Utrecht while studying for his degree; already in 1924, he obtained a position as research assistant at Museum Boymans in Rotterdam. He remained at Boymans until 1940, and, from 1936, was conservator of the library and the print collection. In 1933, he received his doctoral degree for his dissertation dealing with the role of Jan van de Velde in early seventeenth century Dutch painting.

During the war, Van Gelder worked on the government office for art historical documentation. In 1945, he was appointed director of the Mauritshuis museum in The Hague. One year later he accepted a professorship in art history at the University of Utrecht. With this position came the directorship of the Institute for Art History (Kunsthistorisch Instituut) as well. After a drawn-out conflict with other members of the faculty at Utrecht, Van Gelder was given his own research institute by the university (Centrum voor Voortgezet Kunsthistorisch Onderzoek) in 1966. He worked there until his retirement in 1973.

A detailed account of Van Gelder's approach to art history and his place among Dutch art historians can be found in Chris Stolwijk, Die wetenschap noemen Gij en ik kunstgeschiedenis;... Denken over kunstgeschiedenis in Nederland: Jan van Gelder (1903-1980), Steenwijkk: Van Kerkvoorde & Hollander 1952.

Acquisition information:
The Getty acquired the collection in 1984.
Physical location:
Request access to the physical materials described in this inventory through the catalog record for this collection. Click here for the access policy.
Rules or conventions:
Archives, Personal Papers, and Manuscripts

Access and use

Location of this collection:
1200 Getty Center Drive, Suite 1100
Los Angeles, CA 90049-1688, US
Contact:
(310) 440-7390
Website