The Folk Art Collection of Elie and Viola Nadelman at New-York Historical Society, May 20 – August 21, 2016

Photographs by Corrado Serra.

“Widely recognized for his elegant and spare modernist sculptures, Elie Nadelman is less known for his role as a pioneering American folk art collector. This summer, the New-York Historical Society celebrates the seminal collection assembled by the modernist artist and his wife in The Folk Art Collection of Elie and Viola Nadelman. Featuring more than 200 objects across a wide range of media―including furniture, sculpture, paintings, ceramics, glass, iron, textiles, drawings and watercolors, and household tools―this is the first major exhibition to focus on the Nadelmans’ trailblazing venture. Many of the objects on view are drawn from the New-York Historical Society’s Nadelman collection, acquired from the artist in 1937, and is supplemented by several key loans of Elie Nadelman’s sculpture.” ― New-York Historical Society

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Exhibition entrance with Fire Chief Harry Howard (1822–1896), ca. 1855, Unidentified American Maker, New York City. New-York Historical Society.

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Second from right: Sailor tobacco shop figure, ca. 1850–60, Probably Workshop of Thomas V. Brooks (American, 1828–1895), New York City.

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Elie Nadelman, Piano Player (Pianiste), ca. 1921. Harvard Art Museums / Fogg Museum, Imaging Department, photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College © Estate of Elie Nadelman

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Top left: Unidentified French makers, Milliner’s heads (three), 1820–70. New-York Historical Society. Top center: Wilhelm Schimmel (American, 1817–1890), Carved eagles, ca. 1865–70. New-York Historical Society.

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Unidentified American maker, Chalkware bust of a woman, ca. 1800–50. New-York Historical Society.

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Installation view of gallery.

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Front: Elie Nadelman, Tango, ca. 1920–24. Whitney Museum of American Art, New York City © Estate of Elie Nadelman.

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Elie Nadelman sculptures. Center: Circus Girl, 1920–24. Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Smithsonian Institution.

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Installation view of Elie Nadelman’s sculptures and Folk Art in the background.

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Elie Nadelman’s Man in Top Hat and Folk Art in the background.

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Elie Nadelman, Man in Top Hat.

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Installation view of Folk Art.

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Installation view of Folk Art.

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Installation view of gallery.

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Installation view of gallery.

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Elie Nadelman, Dancer (Danseuse), ca. 1920–22. Jewish Museum © Estate of Elie Nadelman.

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Left: Glass bottles. Right: Top: Rolling pins, Powder horn, Figural pipes, Snuff boxes, Match safe and Tobacco grinder.

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Installation view of gallery.

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Installation view of gallery.

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Last section of exhibition.

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Top: Selection of paper dolls, ca. 1933. Bottom: Rocking Horse, 1800-1850.

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Pull toy, ca. 1860-90.

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Left: Weathervanes, 1800-1900. Right: Eagle Architectural ornament, 1800-1850.