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Series 5: Photographs, 1940s-2002

4.0 linear feet
SOME ONLINE CONTENT
Collection Creator:
Segal, George (1924-2000)
Dates:
1940s-2002
Extent:
4.0 linear feet and 10 boxes
Languages:
English
Scope and Contents

This series is comprised of photographic prints, negatives, slides and transparencies of Segal, Segal's sculpture and artwork, Segal at work in his studio, exhibition installations and gallery photographs, studio tours, and friends and family. The files range from a single subject, such as sitting portraits of Segal, to multiple subjects, events, and people.

Owing to both the unique nature of Segal's technique and his absolute willingness to have himself and his studio photographed, this series has an interesting array of photographs of his life and work. Segal's casting sessions would last a matter of hours and was a relatively simple artistic process to photograph. At the same time, models and visitors to the studio were very interested in preserving the memory of their experience. As a result, there are many photographs highlighting this process and the studio space.

This series differs from Series 2: Fine Photography even though some of the photographs present were taken by Segal himself and the subjects (such as views of his own sculpture) are similar. This arrangement reflects both the physical separation of the materials as originally arranged by the artist, and their intellectual content. Series 5: Photographs is chiefly concerned with the artist and the creation of his work and was originally kept with Series 3: Business File, while Series 2: Fine Photography is a creation of the artist and was located in his studio.

This series includes photographs by Donald Lokuta, some of which are duplicated in Series 10: Donald Lokuta Photographs. Photographs included in this series were in the possession of George Segal, while prints in Series 10 were an addition to the George Segal Papers from the photographer's own collection.

Credit given these prints, contact sheets and transparencies is not always clear. It is apparent in most cases that Segal had his prints developed by photographer friends, including D. James Dee and Donald Lokuta, whose photographs also appear in the series and sometimes alongside prints that appear to be attributed to Segal himself.

Photographers include Arnold Newman, Hans Namuth, David Gahr, D. James Dee (The Soho Photographer Inc.), Nancy Astor, Donald Lokuta, Wouter Deruytter, Pepe Diniz, Renata Ponsold, Vera Isler-Leiner, and Dino Pedriali.

Identifiable persons in the series include Helen, Rena and Jeffrey Segal, Lucas Samaras, Sam Hunter, Michael Blackwood, Martin Weyl, Walter Gutman, Robert Rauschenberg, Donald Lokuta, and Miles Forst.

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 5: Photographs; George Segal Papers, C1303, Manuscripts Division, Department of Special Collections, Princeton University Library

Storage Note:
  • Firestone Library (mss): Boxes 74-81; 112
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 is comprised of photographic prints, negatives, slides and transparencies of Segal, Segal's sculpture and artwork, Segal at work in his studio, exhibition installations and gallery photographs, studio tours, and friends and family. The files range from a single subject, such as sitting portraits of Segal, to multiple subjects, events, and people.

Owing to both the unique nature of Segal's technique and his absolute willingness to have himself and his studio photographed, this series has an interesting array of photographs of his life and work. Segal's casting sessions would last a matter of hours and was a relatively simple artistic process to photograph. At the same time, models and visitors to the studio were very interested in preserving the memory of their experience. As a result, there are many photographs highlighting this process and the studio space.

This series differs from Series 2: Fine Photography even though some of the photographs present were taken by Segal himself and the subjects (such as views of his own sculpture) are similar. This arrangement reflects both the physical separation of the materials as originally arranged by the artist, and their intellectual content. Series 5: Photographs is chiefly concerned with the artist and the creation of his work and was originally kept with Series 3: Business File, while Series 2: Fine Photography is a creation of the artist and was located in his studio.

This series includes photographs by Donald Lokuta, some of which are duplicated in Series 10: Donald Lokuta Photographs. Photographs included in this series were in the possession of George Segal, while prints in Series 10 were an addition to the George Segal Papers from the photographer's own collection.

Credit given these prints, contact sheets and transparencies is not always clear. It is apparent in most cases that Segal had his prints developed by photographer friends, including D. James Dee and Donald Lokuta, whose photographs also appear in the series and sometimes alongside prints that appear to be attributed to Segal himself.

Photographers include Arnold Newman, Hans Namuth, David Gahr, D. James Dee (The Soho Photographer Inc.), Nancy Astor, Donald Lokuta, Wouter Deruytter, Pepe Diniz, Renata Ponsold, Vera Isler-Leiner, and Dino Pedriali.

Identifiable persons in the series include Helen, Rena and Jeffrey Segal, Lucas Samaras, Sam Hunter, Michael Blackwood, Martin Weyl, Walter Gutman, Robert Rauschenberg, Donald Lokuta, and Miles Forst.

Arrangement

This series is arranged into five subseries with additional subdivisions.

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 5: Photographs; 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 74-81; 112