Duveen Brothers Records 1876-1981 (bulk 1909-1964) Contributing Institution: Getty Research Institute::Special Collections Collection Number: Number:960015 Description: Notable art dealers from the late nineteenth to the mid-twentieth century. The records provide a detailed view of the Duveen Brothers business activities in London, Paris, and New York. Although the archive extends from 1876 to 1981, the bulk of the material dates from Joseph Duveen's tenure as president of the firm, 1909-1939, and the period 1939-1964 when Edward Fowles directed the firm (with Armand Lowengard until 1943). The mass of documents, such as cables and letters, invoices, and ledger and stock books, give a day-by-day account of art dealing, business strategy, and the individuals involved. Included are some records from the Kleinberger Galleries, 1906-1971, and 6 linear feet of Edward Fowles's papers. 12 search terms found: ...Kress 226 21 Botticelli, Annunciation, tondo, ex Burne-Jones, 1929 2.0 items... ...Botticelli, Annunciation, tondo, ex Burne-Jones 226 22 Botticelli, Portrait of... AvailabilityA microfilm copy (422 reels) of the archive is open for use by qualified researchers. The original papers are restricted because they are brittle and fragile. Additional microfilm copies of the archive have been deposited at the Thomas J. Watson Library of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Witt Library of the Courtauld Institute in London, and at the Institute national d'histoire de l'art in Paris.
Edward Fowles (1885-1971) joined the London office of Duveen Brothers in 1898 at the age of thirteen. From 1917 to 1938, he directed the Paris office of the firm. With the declining health and passing of Joseph Duveen in 1939, Fowles acquired the firm along with several associates, including Joseph Duveen's nephew, Armand Lowengard, and Bertram Boggis. When Lowengard died in 1943, Fowles assumed the presidency of Duveen Brothers. In 1964, he sold the firm to Norton Simon and served as a consultant to the Norton Simon Foundation. His papers were included with the donation made in 1968 of the firm's business records to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and later to the Getty Research Institute in 1996. Series II.G. Edward Fowles Papers relate primarily to Fowles' work at the Duveen Brothers firm in the London and Paris offices. The bulk of the papers date from 1917 to 1974. Some of Fowles' personal papers, particularly files for his memoir, business and personal investment documents, are included.