Series II: Artwork, 1931–1999

Series II. Artwork, documents Steinberg’s artistic production and activities, primarily after his immigration to the United States. The bulk of the series consists of original works on paper including drawings, paintings, and collage, and 225 sketchbooks that serve as a record of Steinberg’s evolving styles and artistic practice, although the series does not represent Steinberg’s complete oeuvre. This series consists of part of the artworks in Steinberg’s possession at the time of his death, another part of which is held by the Saul Steinberg Foundation. Many drawings are related to works published in the New Yorker, in Steinberg’s books, and in other publications. Drawings and other artworks are listed across three subseries: Drawings, paintings, and collage; Process materials; and Sketchbooks. Researchers should refer to all three subseries when searching for specific works. Also included in Series II. Artwork are Steinberg’s early photomontages or “photoworks” for Flair magazine, and photographs of Steinberg’s ephemeral works including his Masks collaboration with photographer Inge Morath, various murals, and other installations and site-specific works. Steinberg’s artistic practice is also documented through process materials used in art production including a large group of photocopies. Process materials include artist tools, folders of reference materials, and what appear to be studies and sketches and as well as some other works that did not receive Saul Steinberg Foundation inventory numbers. Steinberg began using rubber stamps in the early 1950s to apply geometric pattern, mimic bureaucratic documents, and create repeated characters over a series of works. This series includes 375 rubber stamps collected, created, and used by Steinberg in his artwork. Also included is Steinberg’s collection of photographic reproductions of his work arranged by topic, style, or series, in binders and other groups.