Archives

The Clyfford Still Museum Archives contain the most extensive collection of materials related to the life and work of Clyfford Still. Originally compiled by the artist and his family, the Archives offer a rare view into the personal and professional world of the American painter. The Archives includes a variety of primary source materials that illuminate Still’s creative process, relationships, and philosophical approach to art.

Among the holdings are thousands of documents, including personal and professional correspondence, photographs, and handwritten notes. Clyfford and Patricia Still Subject Files collection features letters between Still and prominent figures from the Abstract Expressionist era, such as Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko, Clement Greenberg, and Peggy Guggenheim.

In addition to these records, the Archives preserves a variety of physical objects, including preliminary sketches, dry pigments, tools from Still’s studios, and clothing. Clyfford Still’s personal library of books, serials, and vinyl is also part of the holdings, providing further insight into his interests and influences. Alongside these materials are a small selection of film and audio recordings.

Beyond the Stills’ personal materials, the Archives also serve as a repository for the institutional records of the Clyfford Still Museum and contain a small assortment of donated items related to Still.

Together, these materials contribute to a more nuanced interpretation of Clyfford Still’s creative process and the time in which he lived and worked, making the Clyfford Still Museum Archives a valuable resource for researchers, scholars, and anyone interested in his legacy and the development of modern art in the 20th century.