Spotlight: Baker-Pisano American Art History Research Collection

The Baker-Pisano American Art History Research Collection is a special collection of rare, first edition, and autographed art books published in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The University Libraries received the collection through the generosity of collector, art historian, and donor D. Frederick Baker. A new brochure prepared by Mr. Baker provides historical context and unique insights for a curated selection of scarce items from the collection.

 

He writes, “Many years ago part of the great adventure of collecting American art of the 19^th and early 20^th centuries was hunting for documents, catalogues and assorted ancillary material. They could be found in second-hand stores, flea markets, and garage/lawn sales. There were even a few booksellers who offered such material. Today, however, such items are difficult to come by and likely of no interest to contemporary collectors. But these sundry bits and pieces of earlier American art history help flesh-out, define and add historical weight to the greater history of Art in America.” – D. Frederick Baker, April 2018.

 

Ronald G. Pisano (1948-2000) authored several books on Long Island artists, and the definitive study of The Tile Club, which was the basis of a 1999 exhibition at The Long Island Museum of American Art, History, and Carriages. For over thirty years, he worked on the catalog raisonné of William Merritt Chase, which was completed by D. Frederick Baker, with the assistance of Carolyn K. Lane, in four volumes published by Yale University Press (2006-2010). Books in the collection at Stony Brook University Libraries can be identified by entering “Baker-Pisano” in the library catalog.

Further Research

 

Brochure: Baker-Pisano American Art History Research Collection