Scope and Contents
The Galerie Jacques Benador Archive, which spans 1932-2015, contains writings, correspondence, exhibition catalogs, printed material, artworks, and other papers related to Jacques Benador, the D. Benador Gallery, and the Jacques Benador Gallery. Jacques Benador’s personal papers—which include a large number of photographs--make up the bulk of the collection, documenting Benador’s personal and professional relationships with artists and critics of the postwar European avant-garde, as well as events at both galleries he oversaw. Items of note in the collection include multiple manuscript versions of Lucio Fontana’s first Spatialist Manifesto, signed first editions of Fontana’s Manifesto Bianco in Italian and Spanish, original artwork by Pierre Alechinsky, Hans Bellmer, Max Ernst, Pierre Tal-Coat, Bram van de Velde, Wols, and others.
Dates
- 1932-2015
Creator
Language of Materials
In French, German, and English.
Conditions Governing Access
The materials are open for research.
Box 13 (digital media): Restricted fragile material. Access copies of digital files may be requested. Consult Access Services for further information.
Box 14 (long-playing records): Restricted fragile material. Reference copies may be requested. Consult Access Services for further information.
Conditions Governing Use
The Galerie Jacques Benador Archive is the physical property of the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University. Literary rights, including copyright, belong to the authors or their legal heirs and assigns. For further information, consult the appropriate curator.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Emmanuel Benador, 2016.
Arrangement
Organized into five series: I. Catalogs and Invitations, 1948-2015. II. Artist Monographs and Publications, 1946-2006. III. Personal Papers and Business Records, 1932-2014. IV. Musical Recordings, 1980-1993. V. Artwork, 1952-1972.
Extent
9.83 Linear Feet (15 boxes)
Catalog Record
A record for this collection is available in Orbis, the Yale University Library catalog
Persistent URL
Abstract
The Galerie Jacques Benador Archive, which spans 1932-2015, contains writings, correspondence, exhibition catalogs, printed material, artworks, and other papers related to Jacques Benador, the D. Benador Gallery, and the Jacques Benador Gallery. Jacques Benador’s personal papers—which include a large number of photographs--make up the bulk of the collection, documenting Benador’s personal and professional relationships with artists and critics of the postwar European avant-garde, as well as events at both galleries he oversaw. Items of note in the collection include multiple manuscript versions of Lucio Fontana’s first Spatialist Manifesto, signed first editions of Fontana’s Manifesto Bianco in Italian and Spanish, original artwork by Pierre Alechinsky, Hans Bellmer, Max Ernst, Pierre Tal-Coat, Bram van de Velde, Wols, and others.
Jacques Benador Gallery
In 1928, Galerie D. Benador was founded in Geneva, Switzerland by David Benador (1893-1974) and his brother Charles (1896-1943). The gallery specialized in works in by old masters, Impressionists, 19th century Barbizon and Swiss school. In 1943, David's son, Jacques Benador (1923-2010), assumed leadership of the gallery and introduced Modern and Contemporary art to the gallery’s repertoire. Jacques Benador cultivated relationships with contemporary artists—particularly ones involved with surrealism and abstract art. Jacques, who had a special interest in illustrated books both as a noted publisher and as a collector, also oversaw the production of exhibition catalogs (which were designed to be held in one’s hand) that often included a specially prepared text, written by well-known authors; some catalogs also included an original print (or a poster) designed by artists for the first fifty copies of the publishing run. In 1973, Jacques opened his own gallery located in the old city of Geneva under the name "Galerie Jacques Benador". After the passing of David Benador, Jacques Benador—along with his wife, Stella--supervised and directed Galerie D. Benador for several years. Galerie Jacques Benador closed its doors in 2010.
Processing Information
Collections are processed to a variety of levels, depending on the work necessary to make them usable, their perceived research value, the availability of staff, competing priorities, and whether or not further accruals are expected. The library attempts to provide a basic level of preservation and access for all collections as they are acquired, and does more extensive processing of higher priority collections as time and resources permit.
This collection received a basic level of processing, including rehousing and minimal organization.
Information included in the Description of Papers note and Collection Contents section is drawn from information supplied with the collection and from an initial survey of the contents. Folder titles appearing in the contents list below are often based on those provided by the creator or previous custodian. Titles have not been verified against the contents of the folders in all cases. Otherwise, folder titles are supplied by staff during initial processing.
This finding aid may be updated periodically to account for new acquisitions to the collection and/or revisions in arrangement and description.
- Alechinsky, Pierre, 1927-
- Art -- 20th Century
- Art -- Catalogs
- Art -- Collectors and collecting -- Switzerland
- Art -- Exhibitions
- Art dealers -- 20th Century -- Switzerland
- Art dealers -- Switzerland
- Art galleries, Commercial -- Switzerland
- Art museums -- Europe
- Art, Modern
- Audiovisual materials
- Bellmer, Hans, 1902-1975
- Born digital
- Char, René, 1907-1988
- Ernst, Max, 1891-1976
- Fontana, Lucio, 1899-1968
- Galerie Jacques Benador
- Hartung, Hans, 1904-1989
- Modernism (Art) -- Europe
- Modernism (Art) -- Europe -- Exhibitions
- Photographs
- Tal-Coat, Pierre, 1905-1985
- Twombly, Cy, 1928-2011
- Velde, Bram van, 1895-1981
- Title
- Guide to the Galerie Jacques Benador Archive
- Author
- by Rosemary K. J. Davis
- Date
- December 2016
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English.
Part of the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library Repository
Location
121 Wall Street
New Haven, CT 06511
Opening Hours
Access Information
The Beinecke Library is open to all Yale University students and faculty, and visiting researchers whose work requires use of its special collections. You will need to bring appropriate photo ID the first time you register. Beinecke is a non-circulating, closed stack library. Paging is done by library staff during business hours. You can request collection material online at least two business days in advance of your visit, using the request links in Archives at Yale. For more information, please see Planning Your Research Visit and consult the Reading Room Policies prior to visiting the library.