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Seymour Lipton sketches for sculptures

 Collection
Identifier: KA-0056

Abstract

A trained dentist who became an acclaimed sculptor sometimes associated with the New York School of abstract expressionism, Seymour Lipton (1903-1986) achieved international recognition in 1958, when he was awarded a solo exhibition at the Venice Biennale. Lipton taught sculpture at The New School from the 1940s until 1965. The New School Archives holds twenty of his sketches, made between 1960 and 1969, representing ideas for sculptures.

Dates

  • 1960 - 1969

Creator

Extent

0.1 Cubic Feet (1 folder (20 drawings))

Language of Materials

English

Scope and Contents of Collection

The collection contains sketches executed in black crayon on 8 1/2 in x 11 in paper. All are signed "Lipton" followed by a two-digit date. No sculpture titles or other identifying annotations are present on the sketches.

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research use. Please contact archivist@newschool.edu for appointment.

Use Restrictions

To publish images of material from this collection, permission must be obtained in writing from the New School Archives. Please contact: archivist@newschool.edu.

Biographical note

Seymour Lipton was born in New York in 1903. He studied dentistry at City College and Columbia University, graduating in 1927. Beginning in the early 1930s, Lipton started carving in wood, but eventually switched to metal. As a sculptor, he was largely self-taught. He was an instructor of sculpture in New York City at Cooper Union (1942-1944) and at the New School (1940-1965), and was a visiting critic at Syracuse University and at Yale University. After being awarded a solo exhibition at the Venice Biennial in 1958, Lipton mounted several one-man shows throughout the United States during the 1960s and 1970s. He received a Ford Foundation Grant in 1962. Among his many commissions, Lipton created "Archangel" (1964) for Lincoln Center, still on display in Avery Fisher Hall.

Seymour Lipton died in 1986.

Organization and Arrangement

Arranged chronologically.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Donated by Michael Lipton, 2003.

Related Materials

Seymour Lipton's papers are held by the Smithsonian Institution's Archives of American Art.

  • Sculptors (Occupation) Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
  • Sculpture (Subject) Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
  • Sketches (Type of Material) Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
Title
Guide to the Seymour Lipton sketches for sculptures
Status
Completed
Author
New School Archives and Special Collections Staff
Date
August 19, 2010
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin