Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library
Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections LibraryRose Oliveira/Ellen Welch
This collection is minimally processed and open for research.
MSS 16530, John Barber papers, Small Special Collections Library, University of Virginia.
Transfered by Sandra Cintron, Chief Registrar and Collections of the Fralin Art Museum, 22 April 2021.
These material were orginally acquired by the Fralin Art Museum. The materials were brought to the museum for study related to the 1988 retrospective exhibition of the artist. A number of paintings, drawings and other works were donated to the museum in 1985, 1988, 1999, and 2011. The archive was also given with the intent that it would become part of the UVA Library.
John Barber (1893-1965) who became an American artist, was born in Galatz,Rumania to an English businessman Frederick Barber and Esther Jola "Betty" Barber who was Rumanian. John Barber's birthdate was changed to 1898 so that he could immigrate with his family to America. His affluent family moved to the United States in 1908 due to the heated political climate in Europe. As a child, Barber loved to draw, particularly maps. His parents encouraged his studies in art. In order to make his own living, Barber worked as an art reporter for newspapers and illustrated cartoons. He held a job with the political newspaper, The Masses and The Liberator . Through this employment, he became friends with the famous "Eight" in American art, (Robert Henri, John Sloan, George Luks, Everett Shinn, William Glackens, Arthur B. Davies, Ernest Lawson, and Maurice Prendergast.)
Barber continued to study art from a historical and universal point of view identifying the drama that exists in individuals no matter what particular nationality of the individual. He returned to Paris at the beginning of World War I where he studied art from the Fourteenth and Fifteenth century in Paris with Andre L'Hote and Jules Pascin. He visited the Louvre where he modeled his work after the classic great artists such as Michelangelo and Rembrandt. He travelled to Europe and North Africa often. He spent months in Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Holland, and Belgium. On his way back to America, he spent six months in Mexico where he was inpired by the colors and scenery and felt that he did some of his best work. His paintings often depict peasants or men and women working in industries such as fishing, marketing, baking, building, or playing music. He returned to New York in 1934 folowing the world depression.He had some successful shows in New York but was frustrated with the way in which art shows had selected juries and did not open itself to new artists. He became the President of Harcum Junior College in Byrn Mawr, Pennsylvania and talught art classes from 1943 to 1946 to support his mother and sister who had left Tunisia to be in his care.
The French government purchased his painting "Portuguese Women making Bread," for the Luxembourg Museum in Paris. He also did a series of pictures of Paris life for the Vecko-Journalen of Stockholm . His paintings were exhibited at the Salon d'Automne and Salon des Tuileries. He also had an art show in Paris, called "Hundred Drawings by Modern Masters". He did a series of paintings in Mexico that were popular. He had exhibits in New York, Detroit, Boston, and Philadelphia. Barber spoke nine languages and completely immersed himself in the culture of the places that he visited and painted. His paintings were more successful in Europe than America. He married psychiatrist, Dr. Margaret de Ronde (1905-1998) in 1948 and they were life long partners. He died in 1965. They had both hoped that the world would one day recognize the classical and universal elements of his paintings. He was often commended for the lighter colors that he could make vibrant and the important effects of light in his paintings. Film star and art collector Vincent Price was an admirer and buyer of John Barber's paintings. Hollywood actor Edward G. Robinson also corresponded with John Barber because he was born in Rumania and was an admirer of his paintings.
This collection contains the personal art library and papers of the artist and educator John Barber (1893-1965). The collection contains correspondence, clippings, photographs, slides, exhibition catalogues and brochures, biographical information, books, and engraving plates for Christmas cards. These materials document primarily the professional life of John Barber but also includes some of his personal life. There are letters from Hollywood actors Vincent Price who was an art collector and Edward G. Robinson who was born in Rumania like John Barber.
Letters from Stuart Davis, Max Eastman, Lieutenant J. K. Nicholson, Art Young, Jacques Chastenet, W. E. Bell, Charles J. Symmonds, Robert Minor, Thomas A. H. Hay, and correspondence about the Liberator and the Masses
Letters about his stay in Paris, selling paintings, exhibits. Correspondents include William Bullitt and a letter from actor Edward G. Robinson
Correspondents include the Glackens, Art Young, Jacques Chastenet,Barber's brother Dario,Golden Gate International Exposition invitation, Grace horne Galleris, Montclair Art Museum, Flora and Albert Sterner, post card from Betty Barber, brother-in-law Marcel Gozland, and Douglas MacArthur, 2nd, Private Secretary to the Ambassador of the Foreign Service,
Correspondents include Max Eastman,Barber's sister Rita, and Ambassador William C. Bullitt. There are teaching job cover letters and an essay about the Palestine controversy.
Letters about the death of his sister Rita and letters about his paintings.
Correspondents include Jacques Chastenet,William C. Bullitt,Helen Sloan, Max Eastman, Frederic Taubes, and Huntington Hartford (about selected juries for art paintings). Letters congratulating him on his marriage.
Correspondents include Max Eastman, Jacques Chastenet, Margaret du Ronde letter to Huntington Hartford, George and Helene Biddle, Esther and Philip Klein and a letter from Barber's brother Dario. Letters about Israel and Palestine including a letter from screenwriter and author Ben Hecht ("A Child of the Century").
Correspondents include Norman Kent, Jacques Chastenet,Edward G. Robinson, Barber's brother Dario,Max Eastman, Ira Glackens, George Biddle,Huntington Hartford, Alfred Werner,and Warner Tabb. There is a John Barber letter to Clare Luce and a John Barber correspondence with Lawrence H. Eldredge about the Philadelphia Art Alliance.
Correspondents include Barber's brother Dario, Barber's brother-in-law Marcel, Helen Sloan, Max Eastman,George Biddle,Jacques Chastenet,Will and Ariel Durant,and Frederic Taubes. Also included is a John Barber complaint about art critic Miss Grafly at the Evening and Sunday Bulletin (Philadelphia) and other letters asking for a showing of his work and frustration about how the art world handles exhibits. Barber complaint to Alfred Werner. Barber letter to U. Thant Secretary General of the United Nations about Israel.
Correspondents include Emidio Angelo, Max Eastman, Maricel Gozland, and Warner Tabb. Phillip W. Phillips responds to Barber (complaints about how his art was not displayed or respected). Research requests about Claude McKay. Generic response from United Nations to Barber's letter.
Barber letters complaining about juried art shows. Letters from the Galerie Fontainbleau in Miami Beach, Florida. Questions about The Masses and Liberator. Letters from actor and art collector Vincent Price. John Barber letters about his art work and wanting to have a painting at Yale.
Correspondents include Maricel Gozland,and letters from John Barber to unidentified recipient.
Betty Barber, mother of John Barber, sends postcards and letters about her trip to Italy
Letters about projects involving the Liberator and the Masses magazines(Garnett McCoy and Dennis Barrie,"Archives of American Art"); letters about R. H. Love's book on John Barber; paintings in Israel and memories about Jules Pascin. Emidio Angelo is a correspondent.
Letter about The Liberator
Photocopies of letters from John Barber to Max Eastman. There are original letters from Max Eastman under John Barber correspondence by date.
Letter from H. L. Mencken to Claude McKay.1923. Claude McKay letter to John Barber about reviews for his book. 1940. Warning: Claude McKay letter contains racist language.
Edith Glackens letters to John Barber. Glackens letters can also be found in John Barber correspondence by date.
John Barber thanks John Sloan for buying and appreciating his painting. There are also cards from Helen Sloan to John Barber.
Fredric Taubes correspondence can also be found in John Barber correspondence by date.
Includes letter from Vincent Price
Reyn Gallery, Fischman-Weiner Gallery, Parke-Bernet Galleries, Inc., Galerie Philadelphie,Signature Galleries,Charles T. Henry Gallery, Print Council of America, The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Petit Palais, Hammer Galleries,National Portrait Gallery, and Gertrude Kasle Gallery.
Project on The Masses and the Liberator; Ben Goldstein. See also Margaret De Ronde correspondence.
Writing about Germany in 1939
drawings of money, meteorology,chemistry,military ships, and architecture.
drawings of anatomy, forts, biology, geology, farm machinery, flags, Greece, and Egypt.
Drawings of people from different cultures, astronomy, uniforms, and military arms.
Drawings of American landscapes
Copy of "Carlotta" illustrated by John Barber; Marie Sterner Galleries; Exposicao De pintura Escultura E Arquitectura; "Mostly Portugal" Grace Horne Galleries; Vanderbilt Gallery; Hein Semke; Ehrich Newhouse; Artistes Amrericains De Paris Galerie De La Renaissance.
The Second Biennial Exhibition of Contemporary American Paintings The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts; The Bulletin of the Town Hall Club; The Art of Camille Pissarro In Retrospect Duran-Ruel Galleries; Early Impressionism 1868-1883 Knoedler; Pioneers of Modern Art in America Whitney Museum of American Art.
Paintings by Arnold Conason, Charles Barzansky Galleries; 1952 Annual Exhibition of Contemporary American Painting, Whitney Museum of American Art; Catalogue of the One Hundred and Forty-Eighth Annual Exhibition of Painting and Sculpture 1953, The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts; Second Annual Fine Arts Festival Harcum Junior College, 1956; Art Alliance Bulletin 1957; Reception in honor of John Barber, The Philadelphia Art Alliance; Galerie Philadelphie; John Barber, American Artist Special Summer Issue June, July, August 1959; and John Barber Mexican Paintings 1941-1965, Art and Culture Center of Hollywood.
John Barber, Reyn Gallery; John Barber "Mexican Crucifixion",Exhibition of Contemporary Liturgical Art 1963;"Method of Work" by John Barber, Signature Galleries; Paintings by John Barber, Gulf American Galleries; "On the Ranch", Third Philadelphia Arts Festival; Regional Exhibition, Gallery M, The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts; The Black Experience in Prints, The Pratt Graphics Center Gallery; American, French & Other Modern Paintings Drawings Sculptures, Parke-Bernet Galleries, Inc.; 50th Anniversary The Philadelphia Art Alliance.
Exposicoes Do Pintor Americano John Barber, Secretariado Da Propaganda Nacional; John Barber Retrospect, Bacardi Art Gallery; "Unemployed Union Square",John Barber, Signature Galleries; Peintres Americains, Galerie Briant-Robert; and "Wanted: Works by John Barber for Purchase/Documentation for "First American John Barber Retrospective Exhibition Planned for Febrary 1975" by Signature Galleries.
"Conversation on a Cold Morning", Amish Country; John Barber's Formative Years "Portugues Washerwomen",R. H. Love Galleries, 1980-1981;John Barber 1898-1965, Childs Gallery; "Tortilla Factory" invitation to preview of John Barber The Mexican Period, Art and Culture Center of Hollywood, Florida, 1985; John Barber: The Artist The Man, book by Richard H. Love; "The Artists' Response to Political and Social Issues, Ben Goldstein; Bayly Art Museum exhibit, and "John Barber, 1893-1965 Selections from the Archive" 1992; "Men of Florence" R. H. Love Galleries.
Eigth Street Gallery announces its Opening Group Exhibition of Contemporary American Art; Galerie Fontainebleau; "Mexican Boy In a Sombrero" John Barber 1898-1965; "John Barber to Give Interesting Talks On the Subject of DaVinci";
Catalog of an Exhibition of Drawings by Jules Pascin, Berlin Photgraphic Company; Peintures-Aquarelles-Dessins Par Pascin, Galeries Pierre; Water Color Drawings by Jules Pascin, Daniel Gallery; Pascin, Niveau Gallery; De La Patelliere; Pascin, 100 Oil Paintings, Watercolours and Drawings, Bezalel national Museum, Jerusalem, 1958;Aus Ausstellungen der Galerie Flechtheim; "Pascin by Andre Kormendi", The Arts December 1930; articles and sketches are included.
Tholen Catalogus; Andre L'Hote, Galerie Moderne at Brentano's; Derain, Brummer Gallery; 19th Century Selections, Babcock Galleries; The Pennsylvania Hospital Key Ball; Martin Lewis, The Old Print Shop Portfolio; and Gallery of One Hundred Famous Portraits, Museum Galleries, London;
""Lectures pour Tous" 6 Annee 10 Liv.-Juileet 1904; "Notes Sur L'Art De Seurat", L'Esprit Nouveau p. 13-28; Picasso: Forty Years of his Art" illustration "The Race" 1922; "Palette and Bench," New Series, Volume I, No. 1, Old Series, Volume III, No. 3, December, 1910; "Liberator" January 1923; "City Life" "Charlie Chaplin Talks about Art by John Barber, February 1941, Volume 1, No. 1.;
"The Purple Patches of 1945" Harcum Junior College yearbook
"Jules Pascin: An Informal Sketch", "Arts", June 1956; Taubes, Frederic "John Barber, painter", "American Artist" Special Summer Issue June July August 1959; Barber, John, "Creating Your Compositions", "The Artist" October 1962, Volume 64 No. 1, Issue 379.
"Portrait of John Barber" by Jules Pascin, "Modern Paintings, Drawings, Parke-Bernet Galleries, Inc.; "Plage Tunisienne" inscribed to John Barber, "Nineteenth and Twentieth Century Engravings, Etchings, Lithographs, Woodcuts, Old Master Engravings & Etchings, Parke-Bernet Galleries,Inc., 1966; "Dog Studies: Pair Drawings" by John Barber, "American, French, & Other Modern Paintings, Drawings, Sculptures, Parke-Bernet Galleries, Inc., 1966; "20th Century Paintings and Drawings", Parke-Bernet Galleries, Inc. 1966.
John Barber's paintings are mentioned in the Gulf Gallery listed in "The Art Gallery" magazine, 1 December 1968, p. 38; Advertisement for John Barber paintings in the Gulf Gallery listed in "The Village Post" December, 1968, Volume 14, No. 12; Blurb about John Barber in "Signature Newsletter" September, 1974, Volume 1, No. 1; Advertisement for John Barber paintings wanted by Signature Galleries in "Art in America" January-February, 1975; Advertisement for John Barber painting, "Florence Slums" by Signature Galleries in "Art News" January 1975;Advertisement for John Barber painting, "The Italian Band" by Signature Galleries in "Art News", February 1976.
"American 18th, 19th,& 20th Century Paintings, Drawings, Watercolors & Sculpture" Painting "Mealtime at the Market" by John Barber listed on page 156, Sotheby Parke-Bernet Inc., 17 April, 1975; "American Paintings" R. H. Love Galleries, 1977, page 9 John Barber painting.
Advertisement for John Barber exhibit "John Barber's Formative Years" on the back inside cover of "National Arts Guide" November-December 1980, Volume II, Number 6; Child's Gallery Print Annual Volume 11 and Volume 15.
"Selections Bayly Art Museum" at the University of Virginia contains a listing and picture of John Barber's painting "Cement Workers" 1986; Advertisement for John Barber exhibit at the Childs Gallery in "Art News" Summer 1988; Bayly Art Museum Newsletter, Spring 1988, Volume 3, No. 2; and Bayly Art Museum Newsletter, Fall 1992; Volume 8, No. 1
see also Printed for Harcum Junior College yearbook where John Barber was an instructor.
-Maestrii Artei Romanesti by Stefan Dimitrescu -William Chadwick 1879-1962: An American Impressionist by Richard H. Love -Parole Collettive by Ezio Taddei -Indische Plastik by William Cohn -No Dessert Until You've Finished Your Mashed Potatoes by William O'Brian -The Life of Rembrandt Van Rijn by Hendrik Willem Van Loon -L'Art et Les Artistes by Maurice du Seigneur -Grant Allen's Historical Guides: Venice by Grant Allen -French Leavesby E.V. Lucas -The Civilization of the Renaissance in Italy by Jacob Burckhardt -Les Berceaux de la Jeune Peinture by Andre Warnod -Pascin...Pascin...C'est Moi! By Papazoff -Madame Recamier by Edouard Harriet -Feb. 1934 Story–Devoted Solely to the Short Story -Modern French Painters by Jan Gordon -La Miniature En Orient by E. Kuhnel -The Technique of Painting by Charles Moreau-Vauthier -The Technique of Oil Painting by Frederic Taubes -The Elder Peter Bruegel by Aldous Huxley
-Archives of American Art Journal by the Smithsonian Institution -Nineteenth and Twentieth Century Engravings and Etchings and Lithographs and Woodcuts Old Master Engravings and Etchings by Various (2 copies) -Modern Paintings and Drawings by Various -American XIX-XX Century Paintings Drawings Sculptures by Various (2 copies) -From Reliable Sources by the Archives of American Art-Bruegels Gemalde by Max Dvorak -Portraits in the Making by Phoebe Flory Walker -Rembrant by Emile Verhaeren-Ecrits sur la Peinture by Andre Lhote -Color by Herbert E. Martini-My Life by Isadora Duncan-Home to Harlem by Claude McKay -Rembrandt by Klassiker der Kunst VIII -La Peintre Independante En France II by Adolphe Basler and Charles Kunstler -Art Fakes and Forgeries by Fritz Mendax -Modern Art by Thomas Craven-The Masterpieces of Rubens by Gowans's Art Books -The Masterpieces of Botticelli by Gowans's Art Books -The Masterpieces of Fra Angelico by Gowans's Art Books -The Masterpieces of Goya by Gowans's Art Books -The Masterpieces of Durer by Gowans's Art Books -The Masterpieces of Carpaccio & Giorgione by Gowans's Art Books -The Masterpieces of Orcagna by Gowans's Art Books -The Masterpieces of Masaccio by Gowans's Art Books -The Masterpieces of Gozzoli by Gowans's Art Books -The Masterpieces of Veronese by Gowans's Art books -LesChefs-D'Oeuvre de Rembrandt by Petite Collection D'Art Gowans -Les Chefs-D'Oeuvrede Raeburn by Petite Collection D'Art Gowans -Les Chefs-D'Oeuvrede Lotto by Petite Collection D'Art Gowans -Les Chefs-D'Oeuvre de Carpaccio et de Giorgione by Petite Collection D'Art Gowans -Les Chefs-D'Oeuvrede Hogarth by Petite Collection D'Art Gowans -Les Chefs-D'Oeuvrede Giotto by Petite Collection D'Art Gowans -Les Chefs-D'Oeuvrede Jordaens by Petite Collection D'Art Gowans -Papa Bouchard by Molly Elliot Seawell -De La Palette A L'Ecritoire by Andre Lhote
-Elements de la Construction Picturale by J. W. Power -The Purple Patches of 1946 by Harcum Junior College -Giorgione and his Circle by Johns Hopkins University -Die Malerei der FruhenItaliener by Das Bild -Les Vieilles Tapisseries Francaises by Collection "Orbis Pictus" -L'Art Vivant by Florent Fels -An Approach to Art by Mary Mullen-Abracadabra and Modern Art by Frederic Taubes -Le Greco by Paul Lafond -Gist of Art by John Sloan -Love and Revolution by Max Eastman -Rembrandt y Klassiker der Kunst II -Paul Cezanne by Julius Meier-Graefe -Masterpieces of Artby New York World's Fair 1940-Das Bruegel Buch -An Outline History of Art by Joseph Pijoan -The Arts by Hendrik Willem Van Loon-
-El Greco from the Oxford University Press -Xavier de Callatay presented by Joanna Dean Galleries -Modern Paintings Drawings Watercolors Sculptures from Parke-Bernet Galleries (3copies) -Catalogue of Fine Sporting Prints Naval & Decorative Subjects and Views from Sotheby & Co. -American XIX-XX Century Paintings Drawings Sculptures from Parke-Bernet Galleries -Highly Important Impressionist & Modern Paintings & Drawings from Parke-Bernet Galleries -Modern Paintings and Drawings from Parke-Bernet Galleries -Pascin a publication of Washington Irving Gallery (2 copies) -The League Jan. 1934 from the Art Students League of New York -American Artist Special Summer Issue from Watson-Guptill (6 copies) -The Village Post Dec. 1968 (2 copies) -The Artist Oct. 1962 -Georges de la Tour and the Brothers Le Nain edited by Louis Carre -Cut out excerpts of L'Amour de L'Art Nov. 1928 -Cezanne from the Pitman Gallery -Seurat from the Pitman Gallery -Chagall from the Museum of Modern Art -Tresors D'Art en France published by the French Government -Masters in Art: Duccio-Exhibition of American Art directed by Marie Sterner -Modern Paintings and Drawings from Parke-Bernet Gallleries -The Century Magazine Sept. 1891 -The Century Magazine Jan. 1892 -Max Band by Waldemar George -Seurat byAndre Lhote-Traite de la Figure by Andre Lhote -Raphael Soyer Retrospective exhibition 1926-1956 from Babcock Galleries -Excerpt of Barber Ranks with Impressionist Greats by Hannah Polansky -Bruyere presented by DeLigny Art International -Persian Painting by the Metropolitan Museum of Art Miniatures -Don Freeman's Newsstand by Don Freeman -Painting and Sculpture French-English-German-Dutch and Flemish-Italian-Spanish-American Fourteenth to the Twentieth Century from the Art Institute of Chicago -Studio Secrets by Frederic Tauber -Pictorial Composition and the Art of Drawing by Frederic Taubes -L'Art Vivant by Florent Fels -The Mastery of Oil Painting by Frederic Taubes -You Don't Know What you Like by Frederic Taubes -Pictures to Grow up With by Katherine Gibson -Die Gemaldegalerie in Wien by Gustav Gluck
-20 Centuries of Mexican Art from the Museum of Modern Art, New York -Slapstick and Dumbbell by Hiler Harzberg and Arthur Moss -Famous Artists of the Past by Alice Elizabeth Chase -Arts in the Rumanian People's Republic -Le Costume Civil en France du XIII au XIX Siecle by Camille Piton -Clave by Jean Cassou -The Lonely Ones by William Steig -Pascin by Alfred Werner -Skizzenbuch von Pascin by Erin Sommer -Boardman Robinson by Albert Christ-Janer -Pascin by Andre Warnod -Boeckl from Metten-Verlag Wien
-All the Brave: Drawings of the Spanish War by Luis Quintanilla -Les Peintres Siennois by Emilio Cecchi -On My Way by Horace Liveright -Picasso: Forty Years of his Art from the Museum of Modern Art -El Greco by J.F. Willumsen -El Greco II by J.F. Willumsen -Pop Hart by Holger Cahill -Durer I by Erwin Panofsky-Durer II by Erwin Panofsky