File contains lists of paintings in exhibitions of Arthur Lismer’s work at commercial galleries between 1935 and 1958 including J. Merritt Malloney (Toronto), W. Scott (Montreal), T. Eaton Co. Fine Arts (Toronto), Les Amis de l’Art (Montreal), and others. Some leaves have pen or pencil sketches on verso.
Lismer retrospective (1950) exhibition records
File contains correspondence to Lismer in Montreal from Sydney Key, curator at the Art Gallery of Toronto regarding the exhibition Arthur Lismer: Paintings 1913-1949 at the gallery in January-February 1950, with a manuscript letter to Sydney Key in Lismer’s hand (not sent); lists of paintings and a diagram of an installation; with an annotated proof of the catalogue for the exhibition. Some leaves have pen or pencil sketches.
File contains offprints of articles by Canadian ethnographer and folklorist Marius Barbeau (1883-1969) from The Scientific Monthly (1942), The Geographical Review (1945) and other periodicals, with autograph dedications to Arthur Lismer.
File contains a manuscript essay (3 leaves) by Lismer entitled “A memorable meal,” with a small pen sketch. The file also includes photocopies (probably made in the 1970s or ‘80s) of typescripts of Lismer’s lectures and radio talks.
Miscellaneous active correspondence
File contains manuscript correspondence of Lismer to Eric Brown, officials at the Ontario College of Art, and others, largely unfinished and unsent, on art education and other subjects.
Miscellaneous passive correspondence
File contains correspondence received by Lismer between 1921 and 1965 from various correspondents including Vincent Massey, Lewis Mumford, Barker Fairley, Marius Barbeau, Leo Mol and others; also from publishers, universities, art associations, galleries and schools. Some leaves have pen or pencil sketches on verso.
File contains an offprint of an article in Canadian Affairs (1944) by Canadian painter Barker Fairley; and other material.
File contains two versions of the story outline for the documentary film Lismer (National Film Board, 1951) by Allan Wargon and a mimeograph copy of the shooting script. The file also includes photocopies of National Film Board correspondence to Lismer from Allan Wargon and others, possibly made in the 1970s.
National Gallery of Canada correspondence
File contains correspondence to Arthur Lismer in Toronto and elsewhere from the Director of the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa, Eric Brown, his assistant H.O. (Harry Orr) McCurry and others between 1920 and 1956. The letters, some including pencil sketches, discuss Lismer
File contains largely unfinished manuscript notes by Lismer on various art subjects, including “Calder” and ‘The meaning of beauty.”