Collection on the Estate of Karl Nierendorf
Scope and Content Note
The Collection on Karl Nierendorf dates from 1940 to 1956 with the addition of records created in 1976. The records are divided into two subseries. Subseries A: Nierendorf Gallery (NG) contains records that were created by or for the NG in the 1940s and collected later by the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum Archives. The bulk of these records are announcements, brochures, and newspaper and magazine clippings related to exhibitions held at the NG. The provenance of the auction catalogue and the location of the original scrapbook are unknown. Many of the records in this subseries are digitized and can be viewed in the folder list of the online finding aid.
The records in Subseries B: Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation (SRGF) relate to the acquisition of the estate after Karl's Nierendorf's (KN) death in 1947 and internal research circa 1976 on KN's life and exhibition history. These records relating to the acquisition contain information on the artworks the SRGF acquired at the time of this purchase and the details of this purchase. Correspondence includes letters between SRGF and the Public Administrator's Office as well as internal memoranda discussing the logistics of the sale. The records do not include information on works of art displayed at the NG prior to the purchase or works that were not included in the sale of the estate. The only records in this series that were not generated at the time of the sale are records created circa 1976 relating to research on KN.
The records do not indicate the existence or location of the NG's archive, papers, and records at the time of the sale in 1947. Currently, while materials related to the NG can be found in alternative repositories and archives, the location of NG's New York archive, papers, or records that would document the history of the gallery and its sales is unknown and the majority of the records are considered lost. Any information on the location of these records should be sent to the Manager of the Library and Archives, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York.
Dates
- 1940-1956, 1976 (bulk 1940-1956)
Language of Materials
Collection is primarily in English.
Restrictions:
This collection is unrestricted
Publication Rights:
Requests for permission to publish material from this collection should be discussed with the Manager of the Library and Archives.
Historical Note
In 1948 the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation (SRGF) purchased the entire estate of New York art dealer Karl Nierendorf (KN). KN (1889-1947) began his career in the art trade three decades earlier in Cologne with his brother, Josef. After a brief partnership with art dealer J. B. Neumann, in 1923 KN took over his Graphisches Kabinette in Berlin. In 1936, KN immigrated to New York and established the Nierendorf Gallery. Soon after his arrival in New York, KN encountered Hilla Rebay, founding director and curator of the Museum of Non-Objective Painting, the forerunner of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum. Their shared passion for art resulted in a strong business relationship between KN and the SRGF. In the fall of 1947, KN suffered a fatal heart attack. The SRGF purchased the entire estate of KN early the following year from the State of New York, thereby acquiring not only purchases made abroad on behalf of the SRGF, but also KN's gallery inventory and art objects, which were likely from his personal collection. The estate of Karl Nierendorf also included various items from his residence and gallery, such as miscellaneous furniture and books. However, the estate did not contain KN's gallery papers or records.
More information about the Karl Nierendorf Estate can be found at: https://www.guggenheim.org/artwork/special_collection/karl-nierendorf-estate.
Extent
1 cubic foot (2 boxes)
Abstract
In 1948 the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation (SRGF) purchased the entire estate of New York art dealer Karl Nierendorf (KN) acquiring not only purchases made abroad on behalf of the SRGF, but also KN's gallery inventory and art objects.
Abstract
The Collection on Karl Nierendorf dates from 1940 to 1956 with the addition of records created in 1976. The records are divided into two subseries. Subseries A: Nierendorf Gallery (NG) contains records that were created by or for the NG in the 1940s and collected in the 1970s by the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum Archives. The records in Subseries B: Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation relate to the acquisition of the estate after Karl Nierendorf's (KN) death in 1947 and internal research circa 1976 on KN's life and exhibition history. The records do not include information on works of art displayed at the Nierendorf Gallery prior to the purchase or works that were not included in the sale of the estate. To this date, the location of NG's New York archive, papers, or records is unknown.
Arrangement:
The collection is arranged alphabetically in two subseries: A. Nierendorf Galleries; and B. Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation.
Physical Location
CF
- Art -- Collectors and collecting Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Title
- Collection on the Estate of Karl Nierendorf
- Status
- Complete
- Author
- Finding aid prepared by Francine Snyder
- Date
- June 2010
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- Description is in English.
Repository Details
Part of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum Archives Repository
One Liberty Plaza
24th floor
New York NY 10006
