Correspondence with Carl Zigrosser, 1910-1960, n.d.

Format:

Manuscript

Author/Creator:

Lankes, Julius J., 1884-1960.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Gág, Wanda, 1893-1946.

Gág, Wanda.

Anderson, Sherwood, 1876-1941.

Anderson, Sherwood.

Arms, John Taylor, 1887-1953.

Arms, John Taylor.

Rose, Ruth Starr.

Brown, Bolton, 1864-1936.

Brown, Bolton.

Burchfield, Charles, 1893-1967.

Burchfield, Charles.

Frost, Robert, 1874-1963.

Frost, Robert.

Bellows, George, 1882-1925.

Bellows, George.

Kent, Rockwell, 1882-1971.

Kent, Rockwell.

Coates, Robert M. (Robert Myron), 1897-1973.

Coates, Robert M.

Physical Description:

512 items (643 leaves)

Contained In:

Carl Zigrosser Papers, ca. 1891-1971. Folders 940-949.

Place of Publication:

1910-1960, n.d.

Biography/History:

Julius J. Lankes was a maker of woodcuts whose work was represented at the Weyhe Gallery. Carl Zigrosser admired his work and promoted his career. As with many American artists of his generation, Lankes' career was never financially stable, and he also worked as an illustrator, an art educator and as a technical artist for the Federal Government. Lankes' prodigious correspondence with Carl Zigrosser covers the years 1919 to 1960. The artist's full character is revealed in his letters -- his art work, his financial struggles, his family life and personal likes and dislikes fill his letters. A continuing theme is his dissatisfaction with the "art Game." Lankes' joking, sharply observant tone sometimes develops the biting quality of a discouraged man.

Summary:

Subjects covered in Julius J. Lankes' detailed letters include the progress of new work, prices, his printing technique, books and works of art purchased from the Weyhe Gallery, news of his home life, shipments of prints, sales, settling of accounts, ideas to generate sales, competitions and exhibitions Lankes' submitted work to, an autobiographical letter (Oct.8, 1935), his work at Wells College (1932-1939) and the exhibitions he brought there from Weyhe Gallery, his work as drafting for the Federal Government (1943-1950) and his discharge from that job, and the last years of his life. Along with the correspondence are clippings, photographs of the artist and a quantity of works of art.

Included in the letters are references to Bolton Brown, R. M. Coates, Rockwell Kent, Charles Burchfield, John Taylor Arms, Robert Frost, Ruth Starr Rose, Wanda Gàg, George Bellows, and Sherwood Anderson.