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Alvin L. Gittins photograph collection

 Collection
Identifier: P0319

Scope and Contents

The first section of this collection, "Identified Portraits and Poses," consists of both photos Gittins took of his portrait subjects to help him with detail, and photos of the completed portraits themselves. Sometimes one exists without the other. The portraits are mainly of University of Utah faculty and notable Utahns, including some historical figures such as O. Porter Rockwell.

The second section has photos of completed, titled works.

The third section, "Unidentified Portraits and Poses," is made up of photos of subjects who could not be identified by name, and so are here listed generically by sex and appearance (e.g. "Man with Missing Teeth"). Some of these may not have resulted in a final work, but seem to have an artistic purpose. Some did result in a work, however, and so it is suggested that the user of these photos also examine the miscellaneous sketches.

The balance of the collection consists of miscellany, Southern Utah landscape, and the Gittins' family photos, some of which go back to Mr. Gittins' childhood in England. There is also a large number of negatives, with and without prints (all prints with negatives are marked on the back either "neg. available" or simply "neg."). The negatives without prints are all family photos.

Dates

  • 1922-1981

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.

Extent

9 Boxes

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

The Alvin L. Gittins photograph collection consists of portrait photographs used by Alvin Gittins for research in painting portraits, as well as photographs and slides of completed portraits. Included are a large number of art photographs of unidentified persons. Also included are landscape photographs, mostly of areas around Kanab, Utah, and Gittins family photographs.

Arrangement

Collection is arranged alphabetically.Boxes 6-8 are also addendum 1, box 1-3. or listed as ADD1, box 1-3. Corrections to descriptions provided by Dr. Elizabeth Peteron in 2020.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of the University of Utah Department of Art in 1986.

Separated Materials

Manuscript materials were transferred to the Alvin L. Gittins papers (ACCN 0909).

Manuscript materials were transferred to the Alvin L. Gittins papers (ACC 0376).

Audio-visual materials were transferred to the Alvin L. Gittins audio-visual collection (A0049).
Title
Guide to the Alvin L. Gittins photograph collection
Date
2004
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English.

Revision Statements

  • 2020: Finding aid revised and re-encoded by Sara Davis, with corrections provided by Dr. Elizabeth Peterson.

Repository Details

Part of the J. Willard Marriott Library Special Collections Repository

Contact:
295 South 1500 East
Salt Lake City Utah 84112 United States
801-581-8863