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Series 1: Artwork, 1940s-2000

17.0 linear feet
SOME ONLINE CONTENT
Collection Creator:
Segal, George, 1924-2000
Dates:
1940s-2000
Extent:
17.0 linear feet and 15 boxes
Languages:
English
Scope and Contents

This series contains works of art created by George Segal in a variety of mediums (ink, watercolor, tempera, pencil, charcoal, conté crayon) and on a variety of supports (paper, board, cloth) dating principally from the time of his education in the 1940s, but including works rendered over the course of his entire life until his death in 2000. Artwork is comprised mainly of loose, single sheets of paper, bound sketchbooks, or compiled illustrated assignments. There are also multiple prints produced from single, original engravings. The bulk of the work dates from Segal's time as a student at Cooper Union, Rutgers University, Pratt Institute, and New York University, from 1941 to 1949.

Chronology was considered particularly important for the development of the artist's style and his influences. However, very few dates exist. Inclusive dates were assigned on the file-level based on a variety of factors, including content, style and context. The vast majority of all work broadly dated from the 1940s to the 1960s is in fact only from the 1940s, as the direct result of Segal's college-level art studies from 1941 to 1949. Some sketchbooks have been individually labeled with approximate (but more specific) dates.

Researchers can reference the Education Chronology in order to help date artworks known or thought to have been produced for certain classes or institutions. Additional files, notebooks and documents in Series 7: Education and Early Career are directly related to these materials, and can be referenced for more information.

Finally, due to the creative nature of any artist it should be noted that, despite specific folder titles, doodles, sketches, and works of art are rendered in multiple mediums and are found everywhere throughout the series and — for the most comprehensive consideration — everywhere in the collection. Segal doodled in the margins of notebooks, on the back of napkins, and even on some correspondence and other documents. He also kept the doodles and sketches of friends and colleagues. Moreover, Segal would create more than one artwork in more than one medium on the same support. An effort has been made to separate and organize these materials, but the arrangement is inherently limited in scope.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Works of art rendered in any medium (including ink, pencil, and crayon) and on any support (including sketchbooks, paper, board) and in any form (including doodles and illustrated assignments), as well as photographs by George Segal and any art works by George Segal depicted in photographs are copyright The George and Helen Segal Foundation. Photoduplication for personal scholarly use is permitted. Reproductions for the purpose of publication, whether in print or electronic media, must be authorized in writing by The George and Helen Segal Foundation or its licensing VAGA (Visual Artists and Galleries Association), New York City. Rights and permissions of the Donald Lokuta photographs are retained by the creator. Photoduplication is permitted for personal scholarly use only. Reproductions for the purpose of publication, whether in print or electronic media, must be authorized in writing by Donald Lokuta or his licensing agent VAGA (Visual Artists and Galleries Association), New York City. Beyond Segal and Lokuta, the library has no information on the status of literary rights in the collection and researchers are responsible for determining any questions of copyright. Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. No further photoduplication of copies of material in the collection can be made when Princeton University Library does not own the original. Inquiries regarding publishing material from the collection should be directed to RBSC Public Services staff through the Ask Us! form.

Credit this material:

Series 1: Artwork; George Segal Papers, C1303, Manuscripts Division, Department of Special Collections, Princeton University Library

Storage Note:
  • Firestone Library (mss): Boxes 1-8; 111; 1A; 2A; 3A; 5A; 6A; 7A
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

For preservation reasons, original analog and digital media may not be read or played back in the reading room. Users may visually inspect physical media but may not remove it from its enclosure. All analog audiovisual media must be digitized to preservation-quality standards prior to use. Audiovisual digitization requests are processed by an approved third-party vendor. Please note, the transfer time required can be as little as several weeks to as long as several months and there may be financial costs associated with the process. Requests should be directed through the Ask Us Form.

Processing Information

The contents of Series 1: Artwork underwent sterilization via ozone to address mildew and bacterial concerns. The materials were then flattened, sleeved, enclosed, and/or matted as appropriate for their medium and/or format.

This collection was processed by Valerie Addonizio in January-July 2009 and January 2010, with assistance from Ayse Gursoy and Christine Call. Finding aid written by Valerie Addonizio in 2009; updated with new material in 2010 and 2012.

The 2019 accession was processed and added to the finding aid by Kelly Bolding in November 2019. Materials in this accession were intellectually integrated into the existing arrangement of the collection, namely into Series 3: Business Files and Subseries 9A: Catalogs. At this time, materials from the 2012 accession (formerly Series 11: Additional Material) were also intellectually integrated into Series 3: Business Files.

Custodial History

Files, photographs, and artwork were gathered from the Segal home, office, and studio.

Collection Overview

Collection Description & Creator Information

Scope and Contents

This series contains works of art created by George Segal in a variety of mediums (ink, watercolor, tempera, pencil, charcoal, conté crayon) and on a variety of supports (paper, board, cloth) dating principally from the time of his education in the 1940s, but including works rendered over the course of his entire life until his death in 2000. Artwork is comprised mainly of loose, single sheets of paper, bound sketchbooks, or compiled illustrated assignments. There are also multiple prints produced from single, original engravings. The bulk of the work dates from Segal's time as a student at Cooper Union, Rutgers University, Pratt Institute, and New York University, from 1941 to 1949.

Chronology was considered particularly important for the development of the artist's style and his influences. However, very few dates exist. Inclusive dates were assigned on the file-level based on a variety of factors, including content, style and context. The vast majority of all work broadly dated from the 1940s to the 1960s is in fact only from the 1940s, as the direct result of Segal's college-level art studies from 1941 to 1949. Some sketchbooks have been individually labeled with approximate (but more specific) dates.

Researchers can reference the Education Chronology in order to help date artworks known or thought to have been produced for certain classes or institutions. Additional files, notebooks and documents in Series 7: Education and Early Career are directly related to these materials, and can be referenced for more information.

Finally, due to the creative nature of any artist it should be noted that, despite specific folder titles, doodles, sketches, and works of art are rendered in multiple mediums and are found everywhere throughout the series and — for the most comprehensive consideration — everywhere in the collection. Segal doodled in the margins of notebooks, on the back of napkins, and even on some correspondence and other documents. He also kept the doodles and sketches of friends and colleagues. Moreover, Segal would create more than one artwork in more than one medium on the same support. An effort has been made to separate and organize these materials, but the arrangement is inherently limited in scope.

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically into three subseries.

Collection History

Custodial History

Files, photographs, and artwork were gathered from the Segal home, office, and studio.

Appraisal

Personal family photographs were returned to the Segal family.

Processing Information

The contents of Series 1: Artwork underwent sterilization via ozone to address mildew and bacterial concerns. The materials were then flattened, sleeved, enclosed, and/or matted as appropriate for their medium and/or format.

This collection was processed by Valerie Addonizio in January-July 2009 and January 2010, with assistance from Ayse Gursoy and Christine Call. Finding aid written by Valerie Addonizio in 2009; updated with new material in 2010 and 2012.

The 2019 accession was processed and added to the finding aid by Kelly Bolding in November 2019. Materials in this accession were intellectually integrated into the existing arrangement of the collection, namely into Series 3: Business Files and Subseries 9A: Catalogs. At this time, materials from the 2012 accession (formerly Series 11: Additional Material) were also intellectually integrated into Series 3: Business Files.

Access & Use

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Works of art rendered in any medium (including ink, pencil, and crayon) and on any support (including sketchbooks, paper, board) and in any form (including doodles and illustrated assignments), as well as photographs by George Segal and any art works by George Segal depicted in photographs are copyright The George and Helen Segal Foundation. Photoduplication for personal scholarly use is permitted. Reproductions for the purpose of publication, whether in print or electronic media, must be authorized in writing by The George and Helen Segal Foundation or its licensing VAGA (Visual Artists and Galleries Association), New York City. Rights and permissions of the Donald Lokuta photographs are retained by the creator. Photoduplication is permitted for personal scholarly use only. Reproductions for the purpose of publication, whether in print or electronic media, must be authorized in writing by Donald Lokuta or his licensing agent VAGA (Visual Artists and Galleries Association), New York City. Beyond Segal and Lokuta, the library has no information on the status of literary rights in the collection and researchers are responsible for determining any questions of copyright. Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. No further photoduplication of copies of material in the collection can be made when Princeton University Library does not own the original. Inquiries regarding publishing material from the collection should be directed to RBSC Public Services staff through the Ask Us! form.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

For preservation reasons, original analog and digital media may not be read or played back in the reading room. Users may visually inspect physical media but may not remove it from its enclosure. All analog audiovisual media must be digitized to preservation-quality standards prior to use. Audiovisual digitization requests are processed by an approved third-party vendor. Please note, the transfer time required can be as little as several weeks to as long as several months and there may be financial costs associated with the process. Requests should be directed through the Ask Us Form.

Credit this material:

Series 1: Artwork; George Segal Papers, C1303, Manuscripts Division, Department of Special Collections, Princeton University Library

Location:
Firestone Library
One Washington Road
Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
(609) 258-3184
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Storage Note:
  • Firestone Library (mss): Boxes 1-8; 111; 1A; 2A; 3A; 5A; 6A; 7A