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Gunnar Widforss collection, 1894-1973

MS-138

Biographical Note

Gunnar Widforss (1879-1934), born in Stockholm, Sweden to parents Laurentuis Mauritz Vikter Widforss and Blenda Carolina Weidenhayn Widforss, was a painter of landscapes, primarily in watercolors. Displaying an artistic talent as a youth, Widforss attended the Royal Technical Institute in Stockholm beginning in 1896. Upon completing his art studies at RTI he received his journeyman’s certificate as a decorative painter by the City of Stockholm, concentrating on architectural decoration. Leaving his career as a decorative painter, Widforss toured Europe and the United States of America from 1904-1908 seeking to cultivate his ability as a painter.

Widforss began receiving international acceptance beginning in 1912 when two of his paintings were exhibited for a year at the Paris Salon. In 1913 he studied for a year at the Academie Coloressi in Paris. Returning to the United States in 1921, in route on a proposed trip to Asia, Widforss was captivated by the wonderful scenery of Yosemite National Park in California and began painting landscapes of his surroundings. Stephen T. Mather, the first Director of the National Park Service, encouraged Widforss to concentrate his work on the National Parks. Widforss primarily focused his works on Yosemite National Park and Grand Canyon National Park, as well as other national parks and monuments in the Southwest, living much of the time at the Grand Canyon National Park. In 1924 he was featured in a one man exhibit at the National Gallery of Art.

Widforss became a U.S. citizen in 1929. Upon returning to the Grand Canyon from a trip to the Midwest, Widforss passed away from heart failure on November 30, 1934.

In 1966 Bill and Frances Belknap were contracted by the Museum of Northern Arizona to produce a book and exhibit of Widforss’ works. The book, Gunnar Widforss: Painter of the Grand Canyon, was published in 1969 with the exhibit taking place at the Museum of Northern Arizona from August 17 through September 28, 1969. Materials in this collection were collected in preparation for the book and exhibit.

Scope and Content

Correspondence, legal documents, minutes, printed materials, financial documents and photographic materials (1894-1973) document the research of Bill and Francis Belknap for their publication Gunnar Widforss: Painter of the Grand Canyon. Records include research materials, Widforss’ estate documents, and personal records of Gunnar Widforss. Materials are divided into three series: Belknap Research Materials, Gunnar Widforss’ Personal Records, and Photographic Materials. The first series, Belknap Research Materials (1924-1973) include interview notes, meeting minutes, correspondence, and Widforss’ estate documents gathered by the Belknaps in preparation for their publication and accompanying exhibit. The second series, Gunnar Widforss’ Personal Records (1929-1934), includes Widforss’ correspondence and legal documents. Photographic Materials (1894-1935), the final series, contains photographs of Widforss, friends and family, and Widforss’ paintings.

Arrangement

Restrictions

Conditions Governing Access

Materials are available for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Unpublished and published manuscripts are protected by copyright. Permission to publish, quote, or reproduce must be secured from the repository and the copyright holder.

Administrative Information

Custodial History

Gunnar Widforss’ personal documents were obtained by the Belknaps from Dan McDade, the executor of Gunnar Widforss’ estate.

Preferred Citation

Gunnar Widforss collection, MS-138 [Box Number]. Museum of Northern Arizona. Flagstaff, Arizona.

Acquisition Information

Materials were donated to the Museum of Northern Arizona by Bill and Frances Belknap.

Processing Information

Processed in January of 2012.

Other Finding Aid

Detailed inventories are available upon request.

Container List