Turpin (Georges) Journals and Letters, 1914-1952

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Summary

Title:

Georges Turpin journals and letters

Dates:

1914-1952

Creators:

Turpin, Georges, 1885-

Abstract:

French critic and poet. The collection consists of Turpin's journals from 1914 to 1952 as well as a set of ca. 240 letters received and critical studies and eulogies. Letters from some 50 correspondents, mostly artists, concern reviews, exhibitions, sales of paintings, and publications, and often contain musings on artistic theory and practice.

Extent:

2.9 linear feet (7 boxes)

Language:

Collection material is in French

Preferred citation:

Georges Turpin journals and letters, 1914-1952, Getty Research Institute, Research Library, Accession no. 940116.

http://hdl.handle.net/10020/cifa940116

Background

Scope and content:

The collection consists of Georges Turpin's journals from 1914 to 1952 as well as a set of ca. 240 letters received and six essays comprised of critical studies and eulogies. Turpin begins the journal in 1914, using loose leaf paper; in 1934, he starts writing in bound diaries or agenda. Turpin's journals bring the artistic and literary world of early and mid century Paris back to life. On Mondays and then later on Sundays, Turpin received his artist friends at his home to discuss art and politics. He frequently visited the studios of various artists, offering detailed descriptions of the workplace and conversation. Finally, Turpin paid attention to the particulars of the art world by recording how much a painting brought at auction, how the winner of a prize was chosen or who were the members of a certain committee. The letters add even more context. From some 50 correspondents, mostly artists, they concern reviews, exhibitions, sales of paintings and publications. They often contain musings on artistic theory and practice.

In 1935, Turpin tells us why he wrote the journal: "Dans ce journal je me plairai à dire, cette année encore, ce qu'on ne dit pas, à noter ce qu'on ne note pas pour qu'il puisse servir à l'histoire artistique de ce temps. Je voudrais qu'on puisse le publier un jour en y intercalant jour par jour, semaine par semaine, les restes d'art que j'essaime dans revues et journaux. On aurait aussi une sorte de vue générale, de vue d'ensemble sur le mouvement artistique contemporain."

Arrangement note

The papers are organized in two series: Series I. Journals, 1914-1952; Series II. Letters

Biographical / historical:

French critic and poet.

Acquisition information:

The present collection assembles two separate collections. Approximately 190 letters from Georges Turpin were acquired in 1985 with an original accession number of 850812. The journals were not acquired until 1994. The journals themselves contained, interleaved, ca. 150 letters. Those letters have been integrated with the earlier acquisition and are now housed in Box 7 of the present collection.

Physical location:

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Rules or conventions:

Archives, Personal Papers, and Manuscripts

Indexed terms

Subjects:: Art critics--France
Art--Prices--France
Artists' studios--France--Paris
World War, 1939-1945--France--Paris
Diaries--France--20th century

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:: Finding aid prepared by Lesley Walker.
Date Encoded:: This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2016-03-29T13:53-0700

Access and use

Restrictions:: Open for use by qualified researchers.
Terms of access:: Contact L ibrary Rights and Reproductions.