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Mary T. Swanson papers, 1970-2000

Size: 8.75 linear ft, 15 boxes

Acquisition: The collection was donated the Swenson Center by David Swanson in 2005.

Access: The collection is open for research. A limited amount of photocopies may be requested via mail.

Processed by: Christina Johansson, 2006

Control num.: SSIRC MSS P:319

Biographical Sketch

Mary Towley Swanson (1939-2004) earned her B.A., M.F.A., M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota. During her career she held numerous teaching positions at universities and colleges, including her tenure at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota (1984-2002). Swanson was recognized for her contributions to the undergraduate and graduate program in Art History at St. Thomas. Her scholarship focused on Swedish-American art and artists and she delivered conference papers and published numerous articles on this subject throughout her career. Swanson also curated and produced catalogs for exhibits in both Sweden and the United States.  

Content note

The collections contain Swanson's professional papers and include biographical information on Swedish-American artists she collected while conducting research at various institutions in the United States and Sweden. The Swedish-American artist, John F. Carlson, is particularly well represented. There is also general information about Swedish-American art and drafts of Swanson's articles she submitted to professional journals. Included is also some professional correspondence relating to grants and other professional activities.

Series I - Biographical notes on Swedish-American artists

Boxes 1-3 contain biographical information and notes on Swedish American artists collected by Mary T. Swanson. The information is organized by the artist's last name. Please note that information collected on each artist ranges from few handwritten notes to lengthy articles. 

Folder Inventory

Box 1, folders 1-

  1. Ahlm, Gerda, 1869-1946
  2. Ahlman, Gotthilf, 1888-
  3. Albinson, Dewey, 1898-1971
  4. Albinson, Dewey, 1898-1971
  5. Aldrin, Anders, 1889-1970
  6. Almini, Peter, 1825-1890
  7. Anderson, Oscar, 1873-?
  8. Berger, Frank Wilhelm, 1831-1916
  9. Bergström, Charles, 1880-
  10. Bernström, Adolf Viktor, 1845-1907
  11. Bjäreby, Gunnar
  12. Blanch, Lucille
  13. Blombergson, Fredrik, 1826-1900
  14. Blomberson, Lars Axel, 1841-1879
  15. Borg, Carl Oscar
  16. Carlson, Carl Emile, 1861-
  17. Carlson, Charles Joseph, 1860-
  18. Carlson, Frank, 1873-
  19. Carlson, John Emmanuel, 1896-
  20. Carlson, J.F., 1875-
  21. Cesare, Oscar, 1883-1948
  22. Dahlgren, Charles
  23. Dalstrom, Gustaf, 1893-
  24. Bengtz, Ture, 1907-
  25. Duvström, Erik
  26. Ericson, David B.
  27. Edström, David, 1873-
  28. Forsberg, E.A.
  29. Franzen, August R., 1863-1938
  30. Fredrikson, V.L.E., 1877-  
  31. Friis, Frederick, 1865-1909
  32. Fromen, Agnes, 1868-
  33. Gelhaar, Emil

Box 2

  1. Fuhrman, Fredrick (just a note with his name, no dates or other information provided)
  2. Grafström, Olaf Jonas, 1855-1933
  3. Haag, Charles, 1867- (for further biographical information see his papers: MSS P:175)
  4. Hall, Thomas, 1883-
  5. Hallbeck, Carl Svante, 1826-1897
  6. Hallberg, Charles, 1855-1940
  7. Hallberg, Ben (photocopy of image only, no dates or other information)
  8. Hammargren, Fritz
  9. Hasselgren, Albinas (photocopy of image only, no dates or other information)
  10. Heldner, Knute 1877-1952
  11. Hessler, Gustavus, 1682-1755
  12. Hesselius, John, 1772-1778
  13. Higgins, Gus, 1863-1909
  14. Palmblad, Signe
  15. Hillbom, Henrik F., 1863-1948
  16. Hofsten, Hugo von, 1865-1947
  17. Jacobson, Oscar B., 1882-
  18. Jansson, Alfred, 1863-1931
  19. Johnston, Alfred W.
  20. Johnson, Frans, 1829- (only place of birth is provided on this artist)
  21. Johnson, Raymond, 1891-1982
  22. Kaeselau, Charles, 1882-
  23. Krans, Olof, 1838-1916
  24. Lagergrantz, Ava (Hedvig Gustava)
  25. Larson, Signe E., 1908-
  26. Lindin, Carl, 1869-1942
  27. Lindquist, Arthur, 1889-1975
  28. Linus, Axel, 1885-
  29. Lovtave, Carl, 1872-1924
  30. Lundgren, Martin, 1871-
  31. Lundahl, Frank, 1858-
  32. Lundmark, Leon, 1875-
  33. Lungren, Frank, 1859-1932
  34. Malm, G.N., 1869-1928
  35. Nelson, Carl, 1898-1988
  36. Nilsson, Carl J, 1867-
  37. Nordmark, Ollo, 1890-
  38. Ongman, Lawrence
  39. Nyholm, Arvid, 1866-1927
  40. Olson, J. Olof, 1894-
  41. Peterson, Erik Christopher (Henry), 1841-1918
  42. Peterson, Mary C.
  43. Pohl, Lydia D., 1881-1946
  44. Remdahl, Fred
  45. Reuterdahl, Henry, 1871-1925

Box 3

  1. Ringius, Carl, 1879-1936
  2. Roos, Peter, 1880-1919
  3. Roos, Oscar (1877-1952) and family
  4. Rosenberg, Ralph
  5. Ryden, Henning, 1869-1938
  6. Sallander, Sigrid
  7. Sallman, Warner, 1892-
  8. Sandzen, Birger, 1871-1954
  9. Sandzen, Birger, 1871-1954 (part 2)
  10. Sederberg, Alfred, 1830-1877
  11. Selllstedt, Lars Gustaf, 1819-1911
  12. Södersten, Herman, 1862-
  13. Södervall, J.F.C., 1869-
  14. Staf, Axel Herman, 1869-
  15. Stopendaal, Wilhelm Johan Henrik, 1846-1906
  16. Shomberg, Carl E., 1871-
  17. Storm, Anna Alfrida, 1896-
  18. Svedin, Per Ersson, 1830-1911
  19. Sundin, Herr, 1852-
  20. Thulstorp, Thure, 1848-1913
  21. Torgerson, Axel W., 1833-1890
  22. Schneidau, Christian von, 1893-
  23. Saltza, Carl Fredrik von, 1858-
  24. Wikstrom, Bror Anders, 1854-1909
  25. Viker, Agda Strömblom, 1883-
  26. Wallin, Carl E., 1879-
  27. Wedin, Elof, 1901-
  28. Westmuller, Adolph Ulrich, 1751-1811
  29. Westerlind, Axel (photocopy of image only, no dates or other information)
  30. Widfors, Gunnar, 1879-1934
  31. Zanton, Harry Vitalis, 1901-
  32. Zoir, Carl Emil, 1861-1936 

Series II - John F. Carlson research

This series contain information Swanson collected for her research on the Swedish American artist John F. Carlson.

Box 4

  1. Project resources and correspondence
  2. Correspondence relating to the research project
  3. Biographical sketch of John F. Carlson
  4. Essay on John F. Carlson copyrighted 2000, and several drafts from the 1990s.
  5. John F. Carlson manuscripts and letters to various editors regarding possible publication of the mss (mid 1980s)
  6. John F. Carlson manuscript draft and research notes (pages missing)
  7. John F. Carlson manuscript draft and research notes

Box 5

John F. Carlson - biographical notes and family history material.

  1. Articles about John F. Carlson
  2. Exhibitions relating to John F. Carlson.
  3. Reviews from shows - handwritten notes by Mary Swanson
  4. Listing of John F. Carlson's paintings
  5. Slides of John F. Carlson's paintings
  6. B&W photographs of John F. Carlson's paintings
  7. B&W photographs of John F. Carlson's paintings, part 2
  8. Photocopies  of John F. Carlson's paintings from various museums in the US

Series III - Swanson's manuscripts

Drafts of manuscripts written by Swanson throughout her career and as a student (some untitled), but organized by individuals last name or subject/s.

Box 6

  1. Albinson, Dewey, 1898-1971
  2. Carlson, John F., 1875-
  3. Carlson, John F. mss entitled: The Elusive Images of Home and John F. Carlson. The American Landscapes with a Swedish Accent.
  4. Carlson, John F. mss entitled: John F. Carlson, Swedish American Painter (Swedish American Historical Quarterly )
  5. Colling, Fritiof, 1863-1944
  6. Colling, Fritiof, 1863-1944 with many handwritten notes
  7. Ethnicity in Finnish Textile Arts and Finnish Fiber & Ethnicity
  8. Femme Fatale: Sources for the Image of the Femme Fatale in the work of Edward Munch.
  9. Mattson, Henry
  10. Nordfeldt, B.J.O: The Immigrant Molds the Image: The Life of B.J.O Nordfeldt
  11. Nordfeldt, B.J.O (two untitled manuscripts)

Box 7

  1. Sprinchorn, Carl
  2. Tenggren, Gustaf
  3. Quirt, Walter
  4. Scandinavian American Art
  5. Old articles-misc.
  6. Ideas for new projects/manuscripts

Series IV - Swedish-American and Scandinavian art-General

This series contain general information on Scandinavian and Swedish-American art as well as artists. The information and research was compiled from trips to various archives in United States and Sweden.

Box 8

  1. Swedish American artists-general
  2. Swedish American art-resources, institutions, etc.
  3. Swedish American art-reviews
  4. Swedish American painting within the context of American cultural history, 1880-1920
  5. Swedish American bibliography (art-handwritten notes)
  6. Swedish American art illustrations from various Swedish American denominations
  7. Copies of the Salmagundi Clubs (New York City) annual exhibition catalogs 1922, 1932, 1933, 1937, 1939, 1940
  8. Copies of articles covering the Macbeth Gallery (New York City) and handwritten notes
  9. Art exhibitions at the American Swedish Historical Museum in Philadelphia.
  10. Worcester Art Museum
  11. Scandinavian American artists - exhibits, general
  12. Scandinavian American artists - articles and research
  13. Swedish American art patrons - articles
  14. Swedish American art patrons - clippings, etc.

Box 9

  1. Catalogue entitled: An Exhibition of Works by Swedish-American Artists, April 27 - May 11, 1913.
  2. Swedish immigrant artists - biographies and outlines 19th century.
  3. Swedish American Art in Ungdomsvännen, Prärieblomman, Valkyrian (name index)
  4. American Painters of Swedish descent - Exhibits 1920-1930s
  5. Swedish American Artists - Examples of sales
  6. Richard Hillström's Swedish American art collection
  7. Landscape painting in Northern Europe and North America, 1890-1940
  8. Swedish Clubs, Illinois - hand written notes
  9. Swedish American art - Chicago
  10. Swedish American art - Chicago, part 2     
  11. Swedish American artists in Chicago
  12. Swedish American artists in Chicago, part 2
  13. Swedish American artists and collections in the Twin Cities 
  14. Painters at the American Swedish Institute, Minneapolis, Minnesota
  15. Biographical notes on Swedish American artists in Minnesota
  16. Catalog records of Swedish American art in Minnesota
  17. Pictures from a New Home: Minnesota's Swedish-American artists
  18. Swedish American art - Minnesota, draft of mss.

Box 10

  1. Swedish American artists - listings of names compiled in 1988
  2. Altar paintings - research and correspondence
  3. Notes from research at the Swenson Center, Augustana College
  4. Research at Riksföreningen Sverigekontakt, 1996-1997
  5. Swedish American art - Smålands museum
  6. Swedish American artists - proposed project
  7. Various articles
  8. Various articles on American landscape paintings and painters
  9. Art bibliography

Series V - Professional papers

The information in this series pertains to grants and scholarships, trips and other professional activities Swanson participated in.

Box 1

  1. Correspondence (1995-97) concerning the exhibit "Måleriet och fäderneslandet - om konst av svenska immigranter i USA."
  2. Professional correspondence, misc.
  3. Trips, tours etc.
  4. Nordfelt fellowship 1986
  5. Summer research assistance grant 1999
  6. Grant application (2000) entitled:  "The impact of ethnicity on accultural and career success of Swedish immigrant artists"
  7. Minnesota Historical Society - Guest Curator 1995-1996
  8. Personal papers - resume

Series VI - Photographs of art in Swanson's publications, etc.

This series contains copies of photographs and slides Swanson used in her publications.

Box 12

Assorted slides and photographic duplications of Swedish-American art.