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clyfford still | museum
Letters, documents and books from the Clyfford Still Archives
Papers and books from the Clyfford Still Archives
Items from the Clyfford Still Archives

Archives + Library

The Clyfford Still Archives (CSA) represent the world’s most complete collection of archival materials about Clyfford Still. They include Still’s own archives, which he and his family collected during and after his lifetime, as well as additional archival materials about him which have been donated to the Museum. The CSA contain correspondence, studio records, photographs and slides, the artist’s tools and materials, his personal library, and extensive documentation pertaining to the art, career, and life of this important American artist.

Of particular interest is a trove of correspondence that Still collected between himself and many of the major artists, critics, dealers, museum professionals, and collectors of the Abstract Expressionist era, including Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko, Clement Greenberg, and Peggy Guggenheim.

Scholars and general researchers had limited to no access to these materials during the artist’s lifetime, and access was completely denied after the artist’s death in 1980. Prior to the transfer of the archives to the City and County of Denver and before the CSA first opened at the Museum in 2012, the public did not have access to the wealth of information in the collection.

In addition to the CSA, the Archives Department at the Clyfford Still Museum also manages a growing Institutional Archives collection, which records the history of the Museum. Given the Museum’s recent beginnings, this collection sheds light on the story of how a museum is created and becomes a part of local and global communities.

The Archives Department has limited onsite research access as the collections are still being processed. Researchers may submit reference questions or a letter of intent to archives@clyffordstillmuseum.org for review.

In the meantime, explore and learn more about the man behind the art through our finding aids and growing research database.

VIEW FINDING AIDSLAUNCH RESEARCH DATABASE

For requests to reproduce archival material or photographs found on the Clyfford Still Museum website or Research Database, please contact rights@clyffordstillmuseum.org.

Archive Displays

The Clyfford Still Archives comprise all primary source, historical materials related to the life, artwork, and legacy of Clyfford Still. This includes both the Clyfford and Patricia Still Archives as well as various archival materials relating to Clyfford Still, acquired from donors. The Clyfford Still Museum strives to provide access to visitors who are interested in learning about Clyfford Still, his artistic vision, and abstract expressionism through a rotating display of objects from the Clyfford Still Archives. The selection of objects on view could include letters, books, records, art materials, photographs and other objects once owned by Clyfford Still.