Hugo Gellert

Siqueiros [typewritten MS with holograph notations]

n.p., [ca 1965]. Working draft copy. Single-sided manuscript pages (8-1/2 x 11 inches) recto-only, pp.1-3 carbon copy paper, p. 4 two fragmentary typewritten sheets glued together. Pen and pencil notations and edits throughout, all in Gellert's hand. Mostly carbon-copy manuscript with holograph notation from the artist Hugo Gellert (1892-1985), one of the premier social movement painters and muralists of the 20th century who also contributed much in the field of art theory and criticism. The manuscript is an appraisal of the work and political persecution of Mexican muralist David Alfaro Siqueiros, written for American Dialog but seemingly never published.

Gellert was an occasional contributor to the bi-monthly periodical, as well as many other journals of the cause, but no record can be found of this article's appearance despite the heading in blue ink of "American Dialog" to the first page of the manuscript. Gellert did write an article in 1962 on the sentencing of Siqueiros (Smithsonian Archives of American Art, Guide to the Hugo Gellert Papers), but the content of this manuscript details his 1964 release from prison and his resumption of work on his then-unfinished mural on Chapultapec Castle. Sheets uniformly dampstained, toned, and edgeworn, with no loss to legibility of text; a few small tears and holes; pp. 3-4 glued together at horizontal seams from cut-ups of different drafts; staple present to p. 3 but not attached to other pages; Good. Item #3597

Price: $750.00