Jotting Things Down

If you're anything like we are, you make A LOT of lists; from to-do lists to grocery lists to appointment lists, and yes, even bucket lists! In a recent book from the Smithsonian's Archives of American Art—Lists, To-dos, Illustrated Inventories, Collected Thoughts, and Other Artists' Enumerations—we see pages of lists, including cultural tidbits of history that provide insights into some of the most celebrated artists of the last two centuries. The book includes lists of paintings sold, to-dos, inspirations and more—and was the creation of Liza Kirwin—curator of manuscripts at the Archives of American Art. Here is a peek from Lists:

Picasso's list of recommendations to Walt Kuhn
for the 1913 Armory Show:

Juan Gris, Metzinger, Gleizes, Leger, Ducham[p], Delaunay, Le Fauconnier,
Marie Laurencin, DeLa Fresnay, Braque

Eero Saarinen's list of his bride's [Aline Bernstein] good qualities.

This list by animal artist, Paul Bransom [1885-1979] was likely a draft for an animal alphabet book. This "dean of animal artists" illustrated many books, including Jack London's Call of the Wild.

Realist painter, Alfred Konrad painted a list of things to pack for travels through Rome and Egypt in 1962-1963.

If you are passionate about lists, see our collection of Vera Wang Jotter Card Packs. They are just what you need for jotting things down!