Leo Castelli Gallery Records

Now Open to Researchers

The Archives of American Art is ringing in 2011 by making available to researchers the Leo Castelli Gallery records. Measuring over 200 linear feet, the collection provides a glimpse into the evolving New York gallery scene and the works of some of the most prominent artists in modern American art throughout the last half of the 20th century.

Installation view of Lee Bontecou show at the Castelli Gallery, 1960, Rudy Burckhardt, photographer, Leo Castelli Gallery records, circa 1880-2000, Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.

The Leo Castelli Gallery opened in 1957 and quickly made its mark as the place to see works by new artists. The Gallery was at the forefront of Pop Art, Minimalism, and Conceptualism, and represented many artists of those movements, including Dan Flavin, Jasper Johns, Donald Judd, Roy Lichtenstein, Robert Morris, Bruce Nauman, Claes Oldenburg, Robert Rauschenberg, James Rosenquist, Richard Serra, Frank Stella, Andy Warhol, Lawrence Weiner to name a few.

Covering nearly 40 years of the Leo Castelli Gallery’s operation, the records include correspondence, administrative files, exhibition files, extensive artists’ files and printed materials, some artwork, awards and recognitions, photographs, and sound and video recordings. The collection also includes records from Castelli’s other business ventures, namely Castelli Graphics and Castelli/Sonnabend Tapes + Films.

The extensive collection contains many treasures that will keep researchers busy for years to come. As one of the processing archivists, highlights I enjoyed spending additional time with include:

Notebook of Leo Castelli, 1979-1980, Leo Castelli Gallery records, circa 1880-2000, Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.

Ileana Sonnabend letter to Leo Castelli, 1963 June 6, Leo Castelli Gallery records, circa 1880-2000, Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.

• Leo Castelli’s notebooks from 1974–1988 are filled with Castelli’s daily to–dos, contacts, phone numbers, and other notes written in his easily–identifiable handwriting using sharp capital letters angled to the right. Patience will be necessary in deciphering his notes and determining the dates of each entry, but I have a sense that researchers may find these notebooks fascinating.
  
  
• A handful of letters from Leo Castelli’s first wife and business partner, Ileana Sonnabend, from the 1960s: These letters show the close working relationship that the two maintained and their interests in the artists they represented. It’s a small glimpse into their honest opinions and concerns, seldom seen elsewhere in the collection.
  
  
• The Gallery understood the importance of documentation and maintained photographs of all exhibition installations, as well as many exhibitions of the artists they represented that were held elsewhere. The collection contains photographs from over 650 installations at the Leo Castelli Gallery from 1957–1999.
  
  
• A browse through the exhibition guest books from 1957–1966 provide a who’s who of the art world during the first decade of the Leo Castelli Gallery. Although few people tended to write comments about the exhibitions, the comments elicited by Robert Rauschenberg’s first exhibition in 1958 make me smile: “strange!,” “crazy, man!,” “lovely – or shocking...,” “I can't explain it!,” and humorously, “almost as good as J.J.”
  

The Archives of American Art also has three oral history interviews with Leo Castelli, the transcripts of which are available online. In addition, oral history interviews with many of the artists represented in this collection are also available at the Archives of American Art.

Additional Resources

• Oral history interview with Leo Castelli, 1969 July
• Oral history interview with Leo Castelli, 1969 May 14-1973 June 8 | Listen to Mp3 Excerpt
• Oral history interview with Leo Castelli, 1997 May 22

Sarah Haug is a contract processing archivist at the Archives of American Art.

Comments

[Katy Hess]

Good blog Sarah! =] I'll bet it feels good that Castelli's finally all finished. I miss you!

It's interesting to see the content of Leo Castelli's notebook.
I guess I'm a nosy person ;)

[reunion]

Thanks Sarah good blog

[ehliyet]

I follow you constantly. This kind of hope that you continue to the shares. good luck.

[bisnis]

Hello, Good blog to read about The Leo Castelli Gallery, Thank you so much for the priceless information

Thank you so much for the information. Keep posting, i'll follow.

Thanks for the read Sarah, the pictures i liked a lot.

Reminds me of art in 3D. A very unique style.

[Francisco]

Interesting information. Great blog.

[John]

Very interesting, great information.

[Ellen Howard]

Thanks Sarah, I found the exhibition guest book to be the most fascinating part, did you dig up any more interesting stuff?

[Roger Martin]

I enjoy most forms of art. But I haven't gotten into this so called "Modern American Art". I see it in large scale sizes in state parks, government buildings, etc.

Bravo! Great article. The power of blogging is really changing the landscape of the world!

Those who saw the collection of Casteeli's business ventures are fortune enough. The notebooks and the letters exchanged with the business partner will provide a treasure of information in successfully conducting a field one belongs to.

[Nihat BALKAN]

Thanks Sarah good

[milichko]

In October 2007 Castelli's heirs announced the donation of the gallery's archives from 1957 through 1999 to the Smithsonian Institution's Archives of American Art, just to add something to this article.

Hello Sarah, excellent Blog. Thank you!!!

[Frank Hammil]

Thanks for the nice little read Sarah!

[Enaldy Lazaro]

Restore the art of blog.
very cool idea.
:)

those works in first picyure are amazing!

[habib]

great post i agree with him that man should never lose his hope there are many opportiunities knocking at your door but the thing is to realiza at right time.

Bravo! Great article. The power of blogging is really changing the landscape of the world!

[ronok hassan]

May I congratulate you on this Fantastic article.You have made my day and gained a new reader. in comparison to many of the articles on the internet this is a masterpiece, I am very glad that I found your post. I will be linking to this on all my blogs.

[doelbassbaa]

This is my first time i visit here. I found so many interesting stuff in your blog especially its discussion. From the tons of comments on your articles, I guess I am not the only one having all the enjoyment here! keep up the good work.

I loved the article! I'm always interested in art and culture and this blog has it all, thank you for pasting this!