Department of Asian Art Records

Record Group

Identifier: RG-02

Staff Only

Scope and Contents Note

The Department of Asian Art Records, dated 1935 to 1993, primarily consist of correspondence, and to a much lesser extent, reports, photographs, newspaper clippings, and other miscellaneous materials. These materials document the activities of the Department of Asian Art, Asian art gifts and purchases, exhibitions, gallery construction, and book publishing. Records from Laurence Sickman’s tenure as Curator of Oriental Art, as the department was previuously known, comprise the bulk of the collection. Records documenting the bulk of the department's activities during World War II, during which Sickman served in the Army, are found in RG 92, Lindsay Hughes Files.

Dates

Creation: 1935-1993

Creator

Sickman, L. C. S. (Laurence C. S.) (Person)
Wilson, Marc F. (Person)
Harris, Jeanne Adelaide (Person)
Ho, Wai-kam (Person)

Restrictions on Access

Open to researchers. Appointments are necessary for the use of manuscript and archival collections.

Conditions Governing Use Note

Notification of intent to publish, quote, or cite archival materials is required. Contact the Archives via https://nelson-atkins.org/library/.

Biographical / Historical Note

During the museum's earlier years, the Department of Asian Art was formerly referred to in annual reports as both the "Department of the Orient" and the "Near and Far Eastern Department." The name evolved, more officially, into "Department of Oriental Art" in 1953. In 2001, the name was updated to "Department of Asian Art."

Curators of the Department of Asian Art (including dates of their tenure):

Laurence Sickman: 1935-1973

Lindsay Hughes Cooper: 1942-1945 (acting Curator, during Sickman’s service in WWII)

Jeanne Harris: 1949-1987 (Assistant Curator 1949-1957; Associate Curator 1957-1987)

Marc Wilson: 1973-1984 (Associate Curator, 1970-1973; Curator 1973-1984)

Wai-Kam Ho: 1984-1993

Note that Laurence Sickman continued to correspond about and advise in the acquisition of Chinese art as Director Emeritus, and Marc Wilson continued to have an active role in acquisitions during his tenure as director, especially 1982-1984 when he was serving in both capacities.

Extent

10 Linear Feet (In 10 record center cartons. )

Language of Materials

English

French

Additional Description

Abstract

The Department of Asian Art records contain correspondence, reports, photographs, newspaper clippings, and other miscellaneous material. These records document the activities of the department from the 1930s to the 1990s.

Organization

The collection is organized into three series: Laurence Sickman (Series I); Marc Wilson (Series II); and Wai-Kam Ho (Series III).

Acquisition Information Note

Transfer; accession numbers associated with this record group are 1993-15, 1993-16, and 1994-14.

Related Materials Note

Office of the Director Records, Paul Gardner Records, RG 01/01; Office of the Director Records, Laurence Sickman Records, RG 01/02; Office of the Director Records, Ralph T. Coe Records, RG 01/03; Office of the Director Records, Marc Wilson Records, RG 01/04; Director Emeritus Records, RG 91; Lindsay Hughes Cooper Papers, MSS 013; Lindsay Hughes Files, RG 92; Laurence Sickman Papers, MSS 001.