James Taylor Harwood papers

Collection

Identifier: MS 0507

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The James Taylor Harwood papers (1892-2001) consist of original and photocopied materials pertaining to Harwood (1860-1940), his artistic profession, and his personal life. Included in the collection are works of art, correspondence, biographical information, poetry, exhibition catalogs, diaries, notebooks, news articles, and other materials. The collection has been organized with the original donated materials placed first, then subsequent donations placed after, in chronological order according to donation date.

The first group of donated materials (boxes 1-3) consists of photocopied correspondence between Harwood and Ione Godwin, his second wife; typescripts and a photocopy of Harwood's autobiography, A Basket of Chips; an autobiography of his father, James Harwood; art-related materials; and poetry, news articles, and miscellaneous items.

The second donation (box 4) only has one item. It is a scrapbook put together for Lark Harwood by her mother, Ione. It is a combination journal and photo album describing the life of Lark and her parents, Ione and James Taylor Harwood. Ione writes of sights, her feelings, the family's activities, of their homes, and of the extended family. Where possible, photographs were removed and transferred to the Multimedia Section of Special Collections.

The third and fourth donations (boxes 5-6) consist mostly of correspondence. The first box holds correspondence entirely between Ione and James Taylor Harwood, much of it while they were first dating. The rest of the correspondence is between various individuals and is arranged alphabetically by the person associated with it. Some poetry, a diary, and other materials are also included in these boxes.

The fifth donation (boxes 7-12) includes a variety of items, including original works of art and sketches by Harwood. The artwork, located in boxes 10-11, is representative of most of Harwood's artistic career. Other materials found with this donation are diaries, notebooks, correspondence, exhibition catalogs, artwork and poetry by Ruth Harwood, and a descriptive commentary by James V. Harwood of this donation's contents, among other things.

The sixth donation (boxes 13-21) is almost entirely made up of correspondence. Some poetry, news clippings, and other items are also included in some of the folders. Original groupings for this last donation were kept as much as possible. It is organized alphabetically, generally by the correspondent's last name. Some correspondence may fit with other groupings, though.

The last donations (box 22) includes correspondence to a Mr. D. Brown, a scrapbook which consists mainly of news clippings, and a sketchbook of human anatomy.

Dates

1892-2001

Creator

Harwood, James Taylor, 1860-1940 (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.

Conditions Governing Use

The library does not claim to control copyright for all materials in the collection. An individual depicted in a reproduction has privacy rights as outlined in Title 45 CFR, part 46 (Protection of Human Subjects). For further information, please review the J. Willard Marriott Library’s Use Agreement and Reproduction Request forms.

Biographical Sketch

James Taylor Harwood was born in Lehi, Utah, in 1860. His father was a saddle and harness maker. James began drawing as a child, making pictures of animals and portraits of his schoolmates. In his boyhood, he formed lifelong friendships with artists John Hafen and Cyrus E. Dallin. In his teens, Harwood carried mail and worked in his father's shop to earn enough money to go to art school. At the age of 25, he entered the San Francisco School of Design. At the end of one year, he won a gold medal for the best painting of the year. In 1886, he returned to Utah, opened a studio, and taught art. Two years later he had saved enough money to go to France and enter the Ecole des Beaux Arts. From 1891 to 1893 he studied at the Academie Julian in Paris where he won a medal for painting. In 1891, Harwood married one of his art students, Harriet Richards. They settled in Salt Lake City, after their sojourn in France, where he taught at East and West high schools. They had five children. During the next twenty-five years, the Harwoods divided their time between France and Utah. In 1920, the family moved to California due to Harriet's poor health. She died in 1922 and the family returned to Salt Lake City. Harwood became head of the art department at the University of Utah in 1922. He held that position until 1931, when he resigned in order to devote more time to his painting. At the university, he taught the first class in color etching ever given in the United States. In 1929, Harwood married Ione Godwin. They traveled to Europe for two years where Harwood developed his impressionist painting technique. He became famous in Europe as well as in the United States and won many honors for his works. The Harwoods returned to California in 1939 with their two children. In 1940, the University of Utah assembled the James Taylor Harwood art exhibition. This exhibit was in honor of his 80th birthday and represented his life's work. He died in Salt Lake City on 16 October 1940.

Extent

12.25 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

French

Additional Description

Abstract

The James Taylor Harwood papers (1892-2001) consist of original and photocopied materials pertaining to Harwood (1960-1940), his artistic profession, and his personal life. Included in the collection are works of art, correspondence, biographical information, poetry, exhibition catalogs, diaries, notebooks, news articles, and other materials.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Boxes 1-3 were donated by Willard R. Harwood in 1973.

Box 4 was donated in 1989.

Boxes 5-6 were donated in 1991.

Box 6, folder 19, and boxes 7-12 were donated in 2001.

Boxes 13-21 were donated in 2002.

Box 22, folders 1-2 were donated by David Carroll of the Utah Museum of Fine Arts in 2013.

Box 22, folder 3 was donated by Rose Petersen (on behals of her brother James T. Harwood) in 2013.