Baskin, Leonard, 1922-2000

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Sculptor and graphic artist; Leeds, Mass. and Devon, England. b. 1922, in New Brunswick, N.J. d. Northampton, Mass., June 3, 2000, age 77.

Worked on FDR memorial in Washington, DC. Studied at Yale Univ. Founded the Gehenna Press in 1942. Taught at Smith College, in Northampton, MA, 1953-1974, and Hampshire College, in Amherst, MA, 1984-1994.

From the description of Oral history interview with Leonard Baskin, 1969 Apr. 17. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 220184585

Leonard Baskin (1922-2000) was a sculptor and graphic artist from Leeds, Mass. and Devon, England.

Baskin was born 1922, in New Brunswick, N.J. and died Northampton, Mass., June 3, 2000, age 77. Worked on FDR memorial in Washington, DC. Studied at Yale Univ. Founded the Gehenna Press in 1942. Taught at Smith College, in Northampton, MA, 1953-1974, and Hampshire College, in Amherst, MA, 1984-1994.

From the description of Oral history interview with Leonard Baskin, 1969 Apr. 17 [sound recording]. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 495595114

Baskin was an American sculptor, artist, writer and teacher who worked collaboratively with Ted Hughes on a number of different projects including Hughes's Crow poetry. Baskin founded Gehenna Press whilst he was a student at Yale.

Although Baskin spent most of his life living in the USA he and his second wife, Lisa lived in Devon for nine years. Baskin's work can be seen in many art galleries and museums around the world including the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and the British Museum in London.

Epithet: artist and sculptor

British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue : Person : Description : ark:/81055/vdc_100000001186.0x00032d

Leonard Baskin was born in 1922 in New Brunswick, New Jersey, and brought up in Brooklyn. He had his first exhibition of sculpture in New York at the age of seventeen and went on to study at Yale University followed by the New School for Social Research between 1941 and 1949. In 1953 he began teaching printmaking and sculpture at Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts, where he remained until 1974. He moved to Lurley, Tiverton, Devon in 1974 close to his friend, Ted Hughes, and stayed till 1983 when he returned to America. He died in 2000.

Baskin founded the Gehenna Press in 1942 while at Yale, and in 1956 the press moved to Northampton, Massachusetts. From the start it specialised in fine book production, its first publication being a collection of Baskin's own poems. Not long after the press had moved, Baskin began a lasting collaborative friendship with Ted Hughes, poet laureate, when they met at Smith College in 1959, where Hughes was teaching at the time. This friendship continued until Hughes' death and proved to be a very fruitful period of collaboration between the artist and the poet producing works such as 'Pike' (1959), 'Crow' (1970), 'Season Songs', (1975), 'Cave Birds' (1975, 1978, EUL MS 58), 'Under the North Star' (1981, EUL MS 263) 'Capriccio' and 'Oresteia', (1990, 2001, EUL MS 349).

From the time Baskin moved to Devon in 1974 until Ted Hughes' death in 1998 Baskin sent signed proofs of his work to Ted and Carol Hughes. An extremly talented sculptor, he created a relief bronze of Ted Hughes in profile in 1978, and another entitled 'Weeping Angel', as a memorial piece.

From the guide to the Leonard Baskin and Ted Hughes collection, 20th century, (Special Collections Archives, University of Exeter (GB0029))

Leonard Baskin was born in 1922 in New Brunswick, New Jersey, and brought up in Brooklyn. He had his first exhibition of sculpture in New York at the age of seventeen and went on to study at Yale University followed by the New School for Social Research between 1941 and 1949. In 1953 he began teaching printmaking and sculpture at Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts, where he remained until 1974. He moved to Lurley, Tiverton, Devon in 1974 close to his friend, Ted Hughes, and stayed till 1983 when he returned to America. He died in 2000.

Baskin founded the Gehenna Press in 1942 while at Yale, and in 1956 the press moved to Northampton, Massachusetts. From the start it specialised in fine book production, its first publication being a collection of Baskin's own poems. Not long after the press had moved, Baskin began a lasting collaborative friendship with Ted Hughes, poet laureate, when they met at Smith College in 1959, where Hughes was teaching at the time. This friendship continued until Hughes' death and proved to be a very fruitful period of collaboration between the artist and the poet producing works such as 'Pike' (1959), 'Crow' (1970), 'Season Songs', (1975), 'Cave Birds' (1975, 1978, EUL MS 58), 'Under the North Star' (1981, EUL MS 263) 'Capriccio' and 'Oresteia', (1990, 2001, EUL MS 349). Several of their collaborative works were published by the Gehenna Press, including 'Capriccio' and 'Oresteia', for which the items below are proofs.

From the guide to the Leonard Baskin, woodcut proofs for 'Capriccio' and the 'Oresteia', published by Gehenna Press, late 20th century, (Special Collections Archives, University of Exeter (GB0029))

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Baskin, Leonard, 1922-2000. Letters and card : Northampton, Mass., Little Deer Isle, Me., and Lurley, Devon, to Seymour Adelman, 1961-1963 and 1980-1985. Bryn Mawr College, Mariam Coffin Canaday Library
referencedIn Coolidge, John, 1913-1995. Papers of John Coolidge and Agnes Mongan, 1909-2006. Harvard University Art Museum
referencedIn Rodman, Selden, 1909-2002. Selden Rodman papers, 1938-2000 (inclusive). Yale University Library
referencedIn Houghton Library printed book provenance file, A-D Houghton Library
creatorOf Baskin, Leonard, 1922-2000. [Christmas and New Year greetings] / from Esther & Leonard Baskin. Mount Holyoke College, Williston & Miles-Smith Library
creatorOf Baskin, Leonard, 1922-2000. Leonard Baskin artist file. Whitney Museum of American Art, Library
referencedIn Baskin, Leonard, 1922- : [miscellaneous ephemeral material]. Metropolitan Museum of Art, Thomas J. Watson Library
referencedIn The Perishable Press, Ltd. Records and papers, 1965-1980. Campbell University, Wiggins Memorial Library
referencedIn Lucien Goldschmidt, Inc. Records, 1930-1991 (bulk 1937-1986) Grolier Club
referencedIn Ben Shahn papers Archives of American Art
referencedIn Metamorphosis : amateur drawings and paintings that replicate the publication by Benjamin Sands., circa 1790-1820 Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
creatorOf Baskin, Leonard, 1922-2000. Autograph letter signed Leonard Baskin to: Ms. French May 17, 1972. Wellesley College
referencedIn Burwash, Nathaniel. Nathaniel Burwash Collection of African Art. St. Lawrence University, Owen D. Young Library
referencedIn Hecht, Anthony, 1923-2004. Anthony Hecht papers, 1894-2004. Emory University. Special Collections and Archives
referencedIn History of the Book and Illustrations collection, circa 1250-2000 Free Library of Philadelphia: Rare Book Department
referencedIn Louis Ginsberg Collection of Jewish Bookplates, 1895-1969 Robert B. Haas Family Arts Library Special Collections
creatorOf Baskin, Léonard, 1922-, Sculpteur. Chouette. Bibliothèque nationale de France, BnF
creatorOf HUGHES-BASKIN PAPERS83684-83698. Correspondence and literary manuscripts of Edward (Ted) James Hughes, poet (b.1930, d.1998) and Leonard Baskin, artist and sculptor (b.1922, d.2000), comprising letters sent from Hughes to Baskin, many enclosing poet..., 1958-2000 British Library
creatorOf Brooklyn Museum interviews of artists Archives of American Art
creatorOf Larom Munson papers and gallery records Archives of American Art
creatorOf Baskin, Leonard, 1922-2000. [Letters to James T. Parker / Leonard Baskin] Smith College, Neilson Library
creatorOf Lawrence and Barbara Fleischman papers Archives of American Art
creatorOf Shahn, Ben, 1898-1969. Beatitudes. Dartmouth College Library
creatorOf Smith College. Mortimer Rare Book Room. [Mapcase collection] 1640-20-- / Mortimer Rare Book Room, Smith College. Smith College, Neilson Library
referencedIn Peter Howard Selz papers Archives of American Art
referencedIn Lerner, Abe, 1908-2002. Abe Lerner papers, 1929-2002 (bulk 1957-2002) Grolier Club
creatorOf Brooklyn Museum records Archives of American Art
creatorOf Ben Shahn papers Archives of American Art
creatorOf New Britain Museum of American Art records Archives of American Art
referencedIn Gordon Cairnie papers, 1922-1973. Houghton Library
referencedIn Brandeis University. Library. Leonard Baskin and the Gehenna Press Collection, 1952-1998. Brandeis University Library
creatorOf Personal and writers' correspondence Baldwin-Bradley British Library
creatorOf Baskin, Leonard, 1922-2000. [Portrait] [graphic] / Leonard Baskin. Getty Research Institute
creatorOf Unpublished poetry, prose and notes, 1996 British Library
creatorOf Grace Borgenicht Gallery Records Archives of American Art
creatorOf Goetz, John B., 1920-2006. John B. Goetz papers, 1961-1992. Newberry Library
creatorOf Baskin, Leonard, 1922-2000. Correspondence with Carl Zigrosser, 1963-1966. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
referencedIn Brooklyn Museum. Listening to pictures : interviews. Brooklyn Museum Libraries & Archives
referencedIn Julius Samuel Held papers relating to Saul Baizerman and Leonard Baskin Archives of American Art
creatorOf Flowers and Insects British Library
creatorOf Leonard Baskin and Ted Hughes collection, 20th century Special Collections Archives, University of Exeter (GB0029)
referencedIn Lore Segal papers, 1897-2009, 1939-1990 New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
creatorOf Miscellaneous items British Library
referencedIn Baskin, Leonard : Biographical file. Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center
creatorOf University of Virginia. Commemorative medals presented to the University of Virginia [manuscript] 1918-1960. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Monnet, Charles, 1732-1809?. Etudes d'anatomie a l'usage des peintres : manuscript, [not before ca. 1815] Houghton Library
creatorOf Baskin, Leonard, 1922-2000. Letter, 1981 Mar. 3, Greenwich, Conn., to Will[iam Savage, n.p.] University of Michigan
creatorOf Leonard Baskin, woodcut proofs for 'Capriccio' and the 'Oresteia', published by Gehenna Press, late 20th century Special Collections Archives, University of Exeter (GB0029)
referencedIn Non-fiction drafts British Library
referencedIn Brooklyn Museum interviews of artists Archives of American Art
creatorOf Sillitoe, Alan. Papers, 1950-1996. Indiana University
referencedIn American Federation of Arts records Archives of American Art
creatorOf Bill Bristow papers Archives of American Art
referencedIn Archives pamphlet file : Baskin, Leonard : miscellaneous uncataloged material. Metropolitan Museum of Art, Thomas J. Watson Library
referencedIn Introductions and Forewords British Library
creatorOf Baskin, Leonard, 1922-2000. Artist file. Brooklyn Museum Libraries & Archives
referencedIn Papers of John Coolidge and Agnes Mongan, 1909-2006 Harvard Art Museums. Archives
referencedIn Moses Soyer papers Archives of American Art
referencedIn Lieberman, William S. (William Slattery), 1924-2005. William S. Lieberman papers, 1948-1984 Museum of Modern Art (MOMA)
creatorOf Hughes, Ted, 1930-1998. Season songs : uncorrected proofs, 1975 / Ted Hughes ; pictures by Leonard Baskin. Pierpont Morgan Library.
referencedIn Fine Press Printing Ephemera Collection, 1898-2010, 1924-1948 Princeton University. Library. Dept. of Rare Books and Special CollectionsGraphic Arts Collection
creatorOf Howls and Whispers British Library
creatorOf Baskin, Leonard, 1922-2000. A book of etchings, Irises, by Leonard Baskin, [Leeds, Mass., Ermite Press, 1988.]. Copley Press, J S Copley Library
referencedIn Bruce Anthony King photographs and printed material Archives of American Art
creatorOf Baskin, Leonard, 1922-2000. Blake and the youthful ancients : autograph and printed dummy, 1956. Pierpont Morgan Library.
referencedIn Edward James Hughes Papers, 18 Dec 1890-20 Mar [2005] British Library: Western Manuscripts
creatorOf Baskin, Leonard, 1922-2000. Leonard Baskin : artist file : study photographs and reproductions of works of art with accompanying documentation 1930?-1990 [graphic] [compiled by staff of The Museum of Modern Art, New York]. Frick Art Reference Library of The Frick Collection
creatorOf Jack Levine papers Archives of American Art
referencedIn Papers of John Coolidge and Agnes Mongan, 1909-2006 Harvard Art Museums. Archives
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Karl E. Fortess interviews with artists Archives of American Art
referencedIn Oral history interview with Fritz Scholder Archives of American Art
referencedIn Oral history interview with Grace Borgenicht Brandt Archives of American Art
creatorOf Irma Jaffe interviews Archives of American Art
referencedIn Oral history interview with Constance Lebrun Crown and David Lebrun Archives of American Art
creatorOf Oral history interview with Leonard Baskin Archives of American Art
creatorOf Interviews of artists by Brian O'Doherty Archives of American Art
referencedIn Oral history interview with Margaret N. Lockwood Archives of American Art
referencedIn Oral history interview with Berthe von Moschzisker Archives of American Art
Relation Name
associatedWith Adelman, Seymour, 1906- person
associatedWith American Federation of Arts. corporateBody
associatedWith Baskin, Esther. person
associatedWith Bewick, Thomas, 1753-1828. person
associatedWith Bewick, Thomas, 1753-1828. Select fables. person
associatedWith Blake, William, 1757-1827 person
associatedWith Brandeis University. Library. corporateBody
associatedWith Brandt, Grace Borgenicht, 1915-2001. person
associatedWith Bristow, Bill, 1937- person
associatedWith Brooklyn Museum. corporateBody
associatedWith Burwash, Nathaniel. person
correspondedWith Cairnie, Gordon. person
associatedWith Coolidge, John, 1913-1995. person
associatedWith Crown, Constance Lebrun. person
associatedWith Cummings, Paul, person
associatedWith Eakins, Thomas, 1844-1916. person
associatedWith Fleischman, Lawrence A. (Lawrence Arthur), 1925-1997. person
associatedWith Fortess, Karl E. (Karl Eugene), 1907- person
associatedWith Free Library of Philadelphia. corporateBody
associatedWith French, Hannah D. (Hannah Dustin), 1907- person
associatedWith Frost, Robert, 1874-1963. person
associatedWith Gehenna Press. corporateBody
associatedWith Ginsberg, Louis. person
associatedWith Goetz, John B., 1920-2006. person
associatedWith Grace Borgenicht Gallery. corporateBody
associatedWith Hecht, Anthony, 1923-2004. person
associatedWith Held, Julius Samuel, 1905- person
associatedWith Houghton Library. corporateBody
associatedWith Hughes, Ted, 1930-1998. person
associatedWith Jaffe, Irma B. person
associatedWith King, Bruce Anthony, 1934- person
correspondedWith Lerner, Abe, 1908-2002. person
associatedWith Levine, Jack, 1915-2010. person
correspondedWith Lieberman, William S. (William Slattery), 1924-2005. person
associatedWith Lockwood, Margaret N., 1939- person
correspondedWith Lucien Goldschmidt, Inc. corporateBody
associatedWith Monnet, Charles, 1732-1809? person
associatedWith Munson, Larom B. person
associatedWith Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. corporateBody
associatedWith Museum of Modern Art (New York, N.Y.) corporateBody
associatedWith New Britain Museum of American Art. corporateBody
associatedWith Parker, James T., person
associatedWith Princeton University. Library. Dept. of Rare Books and Special Collections. corporateBody
associatedWith Rodman, Selden, 1909-2002. person
associatedWith Savage, William, 1770-1843. person
associatedWith Scholder, Fritz, 1937- person
associatedWith Segal, Lore Groszmann person
associatedWith Selz, Peter Howard, 1919- person
associatedWith Shahn, Ben, 1898-1969. person
associatedWith Sillitoe, Alan. person
associatedWith Smith College. Mortimer Rare Book Room. corporateBody
associatedWith Soyer, Moses person
associatedWith The Perishable Press, Ltd. corporateBody
associatedWith University of Virginia. corporateBody
associatedWith Von Moschzisker, Berthe, 1915- person
associatedWith Whitney Museum of American Art. corporateBody
Place Name Admin Code Country
Interviews
Interviews
Subject
Alphabet
Art, American
Ancients (Group of artists)
Art
Botanical illustration
Christmas cards
Draftsmen (artists)
Flowers in art
Gift books
Irises (Plants) in art
New Year cards
Private presses
Sculptors
Occupation
Artists
Printer
Sculptors
Activity
Artists

Person

Birth 1922-08-15

Death 2000-06-03

Americans

English

Information

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Ark ID: w6668hqd

SNAC ID: 22582945