Margaret Rose Vendryes collection

The Margaret Rose Vendryes collection consists of research files compiled by Vendryes, an artist and art historian, in preparation for her 2008 book, Barthé: A Life in Sculpture. The collection and Vendryes’ book concern African American sculptor Richmond Barthé, a native of Mississippi and prominent figure in the Harlem Renaissance. The collection dates from 1939-2008 and measures 2.80 linear feet. The majority of the collection consists of photocopied documents and photographic prints gathered by Vendryes as part of her research. Bibliographic and source files contain information on various libraries, museums and archives with Barthé-related holdings, as well as biographical files on Barthé related to his education and career. Topical files include Vendryes’ research on themes related to Barthé’s work, such as Harlem, race, homosexuality, Creoles, etc. Files focusing on individual works of art by Barthé are also present. Some original materials are of note in the collection. Included are a series of letters, dated 1949-1980, written by Barthé to his godson, Herschel Shohan, and members of the Shohan family; an undated fairy tale written by Barthé; a copy of Barthé’s unpublished autobiography, which he sent to Herschel Shohan; a 1947 portrait of Barthé by Carl Van Vechten; photographs of Vendryes and Errol Brown in Jamaica in 1994, and snapshot photographs of Haiti in 2005. Also present is a typescript of Marcia Mathews’ unpublished book on Barthé. Also present are four 60-minute microcassettes containing interviews conducted by Vendryes with Herschel Shohan (one tape) and Barthé's brother, Louis Franklin (3 tapes), conducted in 1993-1994. An additional item in the collection is a 1939 booklet for the Second Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition sponsored by The Sculptors’ Guild in New York City. The booklet lists two sculptures by Richmond Barthé.