Foundation

Alexander Archipenko working on Onward, c. 1947

Programs

  • Expertise
    Expertise and documentation, serving collectors of Archipenko’s work

    Catalogue Raisonné
    Completion of the catalogue raisonné of all art works created by Alexander Archipenko

  • Outreach
    Collaboration with collectors, scholars, museums, universities, and other individuals and institutions to make the art of Alexander Archipenko available to the public for viewing and study

    Archives
    Maintenance and development of the Archipenko Archives and library

  • Research Center
    Development of a research center and public forum to offer lectures, discussions, and seminars on visual art and the art of Alexander Archipenko

Location

The Archipenko Foundation is located two hours north of New York City, in Bearsville, NY, in the former Archipenko art school building. Situated on the original thirteen acres of wooded and terraced hills are also the artist’s studio, cottage, and a cabin. This is the only home and studio Alexander Archipenko maintained throughout his international career.

Expertise

  • About The Archipenko Foundation provides expertise exclusively for owners of works, with their written permission, in the form of a written statement. To submit artworks please contact us. We will ask you to fill out our questionnaire and to return it to us with a signed release form and a visual of the work.

    Fee The Foundation charges a standard fee of $3,000, payable in advance. Expertise Information (pdf)

  • Physical Examination All works must be physically examined. The Foundation does not give an opinion based on photographs. The fee mentioned above does not include transportation, insurance, or handling of the work. As soon as we receive your information and payment, we will contact you and forward the shipping information for your artwork.

    Examination Agreement (pdf)

The Archipenko Archives and Research Center

History

Alexander Archipenko conserved a wide range of records documenting his professional and personal life. This rich material includes correspondence, manuscripts, press clippings, and photographs. Being concerned with permanent preservation and public access, Frances Archipenko Gray donated the majority of this material to The Archives of American Art where it is made available for scholarly research.

The remainder of Archipenko’s records is located at the Archipenko Archives in Bearsville.

Archipenko Archives

Archipenko Archives

  • Over 3000 files related to the documentation of each individual artwork. The files cover all media; sculpture, painting and works on paper, created from circa 1906 -1963, as well as posthumous editions of sculptures.
  • Exhibition catalogs (including some with Archipenko's annotations), exhibition checklists, installation shots, shipping lists, reviews, and invitations.
  • Foundry records (which not only tell about the process of production, but are essential in establishing authenticity of works).
  • Photo Archive

    Photo Archive

    • Approximately 300 vintage photographs documenting Archipenko's life. These include photographs from Paris and Berlin, taken at the beginning of the twentieth century. Many photographs carry Archipenko's handwritten annotations.
    • Over 10,000 photos of Archipenko’s art works, including many taken during the artist’s lifetime. Our collection of digitized images is continuously expanding.
    • Slides used by Alexander Archipenko in his lectures on creativity.
  • Library

    Library

    • Over 600 art books, catalogs, and essays referring to Archipenko, as well as auction catalogs.
    • Archipenko's reference library containing about 200 science books on subjects ranging from biology to physics, some with his annotations.