The Works on Paper Collection is comprised of prints, drawings, posters and reproductions, illustrations and print portfolios. The collection includes both original and reproductive prints and drawings with a thematic and subject emphasis on blacks from the late eighteenth to the twentieth century. Pre-twentieth century works consists of images directly referring to slavery and its abolition in the Americas, the Caribbean, Africa, and the depiction of black types and genre scenes. Early twentieth century works are predominately by American artists and address social themes and concerns. There is a significant collection of works by African American artists who worked for the Works Projects Administration (WPA). From this period are also, several series of original book illustrations. Contemporary fine art prints, drawings and portfolios explore, in addition to subject themes, stylistic directions concerned with modernist aesthetics. The collection of posters and reproductions chronicle events, history, politics and the culture of blacks world over. There are well over 4,000 posters in the collection.
Donor/Sponsor
Schomburg NEH Automated Access to Special Collections Project.
Access to the collection is by appointment only and is restricted to qualified and experienced researchers.
Cite as (note)
From the collection of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, The New York Public Library, Astor Lenox & Tilden Foundation, Arts & Artifacts Division.
Terms of use (note)
Works from the collection may be borrowed for exhibition purposes. Photography of art or artifacts in the collection is prohibited. In most instances, prints of collection items are available for sale to researchers. Permission for loans and to reproduce prints for publication must be obtained in writing.
Title
Works on paper collection [graphic].
Imprint
<1700-1990.>
Access
Access to the collection is by appointment only and is restricted to qualified and experienced researchers.
Cite as:
From the collection of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, The New York Public Library, Astor Lenox & Tilden Foundation, Arts & Artifacts Division.
Terms of use
Works from the collection may be borrowed for exhibition purposes. Photography of art or artifacts in the collection is prohibited. In most instances, prints of collection items are available for sale to researchers. Permission for loans and to reproduce prints for publication must be obtained in writing.
Local note
Individual collections which form Works on Paper are described separately.