Emil J. Bisttram papers
name: label: Creator
content: Bisttram, Emil, 1895-1976
label: Names
content: Public Works of Art Project
label: Names
content: Treasury Relief Art Project
topic: label: Occupation
content: Painters -- New Mexico -- Taos
label: Occupation
content: Muralists -- New Mexico
label: Topic
content: Federal aid to the arts -- Arizona
label: Topic
content: Federal aid to the arts -- New Mexico
label: Topic
content: Painting, Abstract
label: Topic
content: Taos School of Art
acqinfo: label: Provenance
content: The records were donated by Mayrion Bisttram, Emil Bisttram's wife, in three accessions in 1963, 1978 and 1983. Papers microfilmed on reel 581 were lent for microfilming in 1973, and some were subsequently donated with the 1983 gift (and refilmed on reels 2892-2894).
creator: label: Creator
content: Bisttram, Emil, 1895-1976
setName: label: See more items in
content: Emil J. Bisttram papers
abstract: label: Summary
content: The papers of Emil J. Bisttram measure 2.4 linear feet and date from circa 1902-1983. The papers document Bisttram's life and career through biographical material, business and personal correspondence, writings, professional files, printed material, photographic materials and original artwork.
bioghist: label: Biographical / Historical
content: Emil J. Bisttram (1895-1976) was a Hungarian American painter and educator living in Taos, New Mexico and New York. Born in Hungary in 1895, Bisttram immigrated to New York City with his family when he was eleven years old. He remained in the city into adulthood studying art at the National Academy of Art and Design, then Cooper Union, Parsons, and The Art Students League developing an early career in commercial art. In 1930 Bisttram visited Taos, N.M. for the first time and fell in love with the area leading him to relocate there after completing a Guggenheim fellowship whereby he studied mural painting with Diego Rivera. Numerous mural commissions would follow throughout his career, including murals for the Department of Justice in Washington D.C., The Taos County Courthouse, New Mexico, and the Federal Courthouse in Roswell, New Mexico. Once settled in Taos, Bisttram became a major figurehead in the Taos art colony and was involved with the local Treasury Relief Art Project, a Works Progress Administration initiative. Additionally, while living in Taos, he opened the Taos School of Art (renamed the Bisttram School of Art in 1943) and co-founded the Transcendental Painting Group in 1938. The school drew students from around the country until its closure in 1965.

Bisttram's work brought him recognition and honors throughout the country including exhibitions at the Whitney, Guggenheim and Corcoran Museums. He was known for his modernist work and use of dynamic symmetry, a painting technique.
physdesc: label: Extent
content: 2.4 Linear Feet
unitdate: label: Date
content: circa 1902-1983
dataSource: label: Archival Repository
content: Archives of American Art
identifier: label: Identifier
content: AAA.bistemil
objectType: label: Type
content: Collection descriptions
label: Type
content: Archival materials
arrangement: label: Arrangement
content: The Collection is arranged as seven series. Nitrate negatives are housed separately and closed to researchers.

Series 1: Biographical Material, 1902-1975 (8 Folders: Box 1)

Series 2: Correspondence, circa 1925-1983 (0.5 Linear feet: Box 1)

Series 3: Writings, circa 1921-1975 (0.4 Linear feet: Box 1)

Series 4: Professional Files, circa 1926-1972 (0.4 Linear feet: Box 1-2)

Series 5: Printed Material, 1929-1983 (0.5 Linear feet: Box 2)

Series 6: Photographic Material, circa 1920-1975 (7 Folders: Box 2)

Series 7: Artwork, circa 1921-1934 (0.4 Linear feet: Box 2-3, OV 4)
processinfo: label: Processing Information
content: The collection was processed, and a finding aid prepared by Sabine Lipten in 2023.
altformavail: label: Existence and Location of Copies
content: 35mm microfilm reels 79, 581, 2787, and 2892-2894 available for use at Archives of American Art offices and through interlibrary loan.
originalsloc: label: Existence and Location of Originals
content: REEL 581 (selected papers): Originals returned to lender, Emil J. Bisttram, after microfilming.
scopecontent: label: Scope and Contents
content: The papers of Emil J. Bisttram measure 2.4 linear feet and date from circa 1902-1983. The papers document Bisttram's life and career through biographical material, business and personal correspondence, writings, professional files, printed material, photographic materials and original artwork. Biographical material includes resumes, baptismal and naturalization records along with several awards and certificates. Also included are business and personal letters to and from Bisttram, including a letter from Lily and Eero Saarinen, and letters from Raymond Jonson; and correspondence with Public Works of Art Project administrators and others involved in the Treasury Relief Art Project, with galleries, museums, art organizations, and students. Writings consist of book drafts by Bisttram for a book on dynamic symmetry and a book on Bisttram's life and career. Also found is information for a course Bisttram taught as well as overview information on the Bisttram School of Fine Art. Other writings include essays and writings on art and Taos, New Mexico by Emil and Mayrion Bisttram, and writings related to government art programs. The professional files contain correspondence, contracts, reports and receipts related to Bisttram's Treasury Relief Art Program work, exhibitions and the establishment of the Taos school of art including legal and property records; invoices, artwork lists, shipping records and materials related to Bisttram's Guggenheim fellowship application. Also found are printed material related to a selection of Bisttram's exhibitions and the art scene in Taos, N.M. Photographs, slides and negatives depict Bisttram, his artwork and select exhibitions. Original artwork includes approximately 175 drawings and sketches of bodies, animals, many of which use dynamic symmetry shapes and figure proportions.