Medieval Art Department Records
Scope and Contents
Most of these records represent the tenure of Francis Henry Taylor. Material consists of correspondence, drafts of published and unpublished works while he was at PMA, along with photographs of objects. There is considerable correspondence, photographs and reference files regarding the history, purchase and installation of the medieval cloister from the abbey of St. Genis des Fontaines, and of the fountain from St. Michel de Cuxa. There is also some correspondence of David DuBon.
Dates
- 1824-1975
Creator
- Taylor, Francis Henry, 1903-1957 (Creator, Person)
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
The Medieval Art Department Records are the physical property of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Archives. The Museum holds literary rights only for material created by Museum personnel or given to the Museum with such rights specifically assigned. For all other material, literary rights, including copyright, belong to the authors or their legal heirs and assigns. Researchers are responsible for obtaining permission from rights holders for publication and for other purposes where stated.
Biographical / Historical
Francis Henry Taylor came to PMA in 1927 as Assistant Curator of Sculpture. He was soon appointed Curator of Medieval Art, his specialty, a post he held until 1931. At that time he went to the Worcestor Art Museum. In 1940 he accepted the Directorship of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
It wasn't until 1968 that Medieval art was again recognized as a separate curatorial designation. This time, however, the department's purview expanded, becoming Medieval and Renaissance Decorative Arts. David DuBon, who had come to PMA in 1958 as an Assistant Curator in the Decorative Arts Department, headed the newly-named department. During the time after Taylor left until DuBon arrived, Medieval Art was part of the Department of Decorative Arts.
Extent
13.5 linear feet
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
The Medieval Art Department Records represent the tenure of Francis Henry Taylor. Material consists of correspondence, drafts of published and unpublished works, research and photographs.
Processing Information
These materials were arranged and described by Alice Lefton in 1988. Revised 2007. Funded by a grant from The Gladys Kriebel Delmas Foundation. Additional processing and description by Aiden Max in 2020.
Creator
- Taylor, Francis Henry, 1903-1957 (Creator, Person)
- Dubon, David (Creator, Person)
Source
- Philadelphia Museum of Art (Organization)
- Title
- Guide to the Medieval Art Department Records
- Author
- Original finding aid prepared by Alice Lefton in 1988. Revised in 2007 and 2020.
- Date
- 1988, 2007, 2020
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Sponsor
- Funded by a grant from The Gladys Kriebel Delmas Foundation
Repository Details
Part of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Library and Archives Repository
Philadelphia Museum of Art
PO Box 7646
Philadelphia PA 19101-7646 United States
archives@philamuseum.org