About this artwork
Mary Reynolds (1891–1950), an American expatriate in pre-World War II Paris, befriended and supported many contemporary artists, including Marcel Duchamp, Jean Cocteau, Raymond Queneau, Max Ernst, and Man Ray. She was also Marcel Duchamp’s companion from 1923 until her death. This collection includes letters from Duchamp and Alexander Calder, photographs of Reynolds and her Parisian friends, and government documents recording her activity in the French Resistance. It also includes acquisition documents concerning the livres d’artiste collection of Surrealist book bindings by Reynolds and other Surrealist publications now housed in the Ryerson and Burnham Libraries. The Duchamp material covers a private aspect of his life not well represented in other collections. A special issue of the Art Institute’s Museum Studies journal titled “Mary Reynolds and the Spirit of Surrealism” (Vol. 22, No. 2, 1996) and a website about the Reynolds book binding collection provide additional information about Reynolds and her interest in Dada, surrealism, and livres d’artiste.
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Oral histories
Contact the Ryerson and Burnham Art and Architecture Archives:
archives@artic.edu
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Status
- Currently Off View
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Department
- AIC Archives
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Artist
- Mary Reynolds (Collected by)
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Title
- Mary Reynolds Collection
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Date
- Made 1892–1972
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Medium
- Holograph papers, typed papers, printed papers, photocopies, graphite drawings and black and white photographic prints.
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Dimensions
- 9 boxes and 2 portfolios: W.: 106.7 cm (42 in.)
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Credit Line
- Gift of Frank Hubachek, 1950s; Marcel Duchamp Foundation, 2012; Marjorie Watkins, 1993; purchase of the Ryerson and Burnham Libraries, 2004; bequest of Marjorie Hubachek Watkins, 2017.
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Reference Number
- 1951.1
Extended information about this artwork
Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.
