Léo Bronstein Papers

Robert D. Farber University Archives and Special Collections Department, Brandeis University Libraries

c. 2005 By Brandeis University Libraries, all rights reserved

Table of Contents

Administrative Information
Biography
Scope and Content
Series Description
Container List

Creator: Léo Bronstein
Title: Papers, 1926-2000, n.d.
Quantity: 7.33 cu. ft. (7 record center boxes, 1 document box)
Repository: Brandeis University Libraries
Identification: MWalB0289A
Language: English

Administrative Information

Access:

Access to the collection is in accordance with the policies of Brandeis University Libraries, Robert D. Farber University Archives and Special Collections Department.

Copyright:

Requests to publish material from the collection should be directed to the Robert D. Farber University Archives and Special Collections Department.

Processed by:

Steven Butzel

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: Léo Bronstein Papers, Robert D. Farber University Archives, Brandeis University

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Biography

Léo Bronstein was born in Augustovo, Russia (now Poland) in 1902. Bronstein spent much of his youth traveling and studying throughout Europe, including Imperial Russia, World War I and post-war Paris, Italy, Morocco and pre-civil war Spain. During his life, he acquired skill in speaking many languages, including Russian, Polish, (reading capacity in other Slavic languages), English, German, French, Italian, Castilian, Catalan and Portuguese.

Bronstein studied literature and philosophy at the University of Madrid between 1920 and 1923, and subsequently studied philosophy and fine art in Paris. In 1932, he was awarded the degree of Docteur de l'Universit? de Paris at the ?cole de Psychologie and the Ecole des Professeurs of the Sorbonne.

Léo Bronstein came to the United States in 1932 and became Research Associate and then Associate Professor at the Iranian Institute of Art and Archaeology, (known later as the Asia Institute.) He taught history of Near Eastern art, the social and economic history of Iran, and advanced and intermediate courses in the Russian language. He was also Director of the Documentary Survey, which summarized and catalogued the documentary material written in European languages bearing on the history of Iranian art and culture.

In 1952, Bronstein joined the faculty of Brandeis University as a lecturer in Fine Arts. He became an associate professor in Fine Arts in 1955 and a full professor in Fine Arts and Near Eastern Civilization in 1961. He retired in 1967 becoming Professor Emeritus in Fine Arts and Near Eastern Civilization. Known for his passionate style of teaching, Bronstein was revered by many of his students. After his final lecture in the spring of 1967, his students gave him a surprise farewell party. The celebration has taken place every year since then and is now known as Bronstein Weekend.

Bronstein authored five books during his lifetime: Lutte et Reconciliation (1927), Altichiero (1932), El Greco (1950), Fragments of Life, Metaphysics and Art (1953), and Five Variations on the Theme of Japanese Painting (1959). Bronstein also wrote articles and book reviews for Bulletin of the American institute for Persian Art and Archaeology, and Open Court. Three more of his manuscripts were published as books posthumously: Kabbalah and Art (1979), Romantic Homage to Greece and Spain (1993), and Space in Persian Painting (1994).

Léo Bronstein died June 1, 1976.

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Scope and Content

The materials in this collection were created from 1926-2000, but the bulk of material dates from 1926-1980. They include published and unpublished manuscripts and articles, personal and professional correspondence, research materials, artwork for plates, teaching notes, brochures, flyers, handwritten notes and one video tape. In most cases, the published works include the original typewritten manuscript and documents related to the editing and/or publishing of the text. Approximately one third of the collection is manuscripts and related documents. Another third is handwritten notes.

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Series Description

Subject Files
Inclusive dates: 1938-2000
Boxes 1-2, 7
Arrangement: Alphabetical by subseries, then chronological
A disparate collection of materials (including memorabilia, papers, notes, photographs and a video) related to Bronstein's time at Brandeis, his research, his family and his memorial.
Correspondence
Inclusive dates: 1926-1990, [bulk, 1926-1967]
Box 3
Arrangement: Alphabetical by subseries, then chronological or alphabetical by folder
This series contains correspondence between Bronstein and various people including professional colleagues, research institutes, grant-making foundations, family and friends. One notable correspondent was his colleague, Richard Ettinghausen, one of the world's leading scholars in Islamic art. Subseries include general incoming correspondence, correspondence from colleagues and correspondence from family, outgoing correspondence, and other correspondence. Incoming correspondence were originally received in chronological order.
Library
Inclusive dates: 1926-1974
Boxes 3-4
Arrangement: Alphabetical
This series contains texts and serials with annotations and occasional signed notes from authors. Topics include art, architecture, religion, philosophy, medieval studies, world history, political science and others. The two serials are professional journ
Unpublished Writing
Inclusive dates: n.d.
Box 4
Arrangement: Alphabetical
Includes two manuscripts, each co-authored with a different colleague. Art and philosophy are the primary subjects in both cases.
Published Materials
Inclusive dates: 1927-1991, [bulk, 1960-1980]
Boxes 5-6, 8
Arrangement: Alphabetical
Handwritten and/or typed copies of his books in various stages of writing, accompanied by notations, commentary, and/or corrections by Bronstein or preliminary readers and/or editors. Also included: artwork for plates; publication proofs; editorial corres
Unidentified Art
Inclusive dates: n.d.
Boxes 7-8
Arrangement: Alphabetical

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Container List

Subject Files
Brandeis materials
box 1 New faculty member pronouncement, 1952
box 1 Bronstein lecture transcript, 1958
box 1 Fine Arts course exams, 1967
box 1 University Gazette, 1967
box 1 Professor Emeritus proclamation, 1975
box 1 Curriculum vitae, 1976
box 1 Course pre-registration list, n.d.
Family files
box 1 Ariana Bronstein recital announcement, 1938
box 1 Family photographs, n.d.
box 1 Unidentified photos, n.d.
box 8 Gift--Sheet music to "Accordez vous, Seigneur" by Madeleine Sabine, n.d.
Memorial materials
box 1 Brandeis faculty In Memoriam statement, 1976
box 1 Brandeis trustees memorial resolution, 1976
box 1 New York Times obituary, 1976
box 1 Rosenthal, Henry M. letter of consolation, 1976
box 1 NYU tribute concert program, 1990
box 1 NYU Léo Bronstein Memorial Lecture transcripts, 1998, 2000
Notebooks
box 1 Notes, n.d. [18 folders]
box 2 Notes, n.d. [26 folders]
box 7 Video--Léo Bronstein Lecture, n.d.
Correspondence
Incoming Correspondence
box 3 1926-1932
box 3 1933-1951
box 3 1952-1967
box 3 1967-1975
box 3 Undated, n.d.
Incoming Correspondence/Colleagues
box 3 Ackerman, Phyllis, 1941-1966, n.d.
box 3 Ettinghausen, Richard, 1938-1964
box 3 Focillon, Henry, 1930-1943, n.d.
box 3 Montes, Eugenioe, 1927-1929, n.d.
box 3 Prevelaki, Panteles, 1930-1962
box 3 Rosenthal, Henry, 1936-1943, n.d.
box 3 Schapiro, Meyer, 1934-1943
box 3 Von Grunebaum, Gustave, 1939-1966
Incoming Correspondence/Family
box 3 Bronstein, Ariana, 1938, n.d.
box 3 Bronstein, Mrs. (Mother) [Russian text], n.d.
box 3 Bronstein, Raphael [Russian text], n.d.
box 3 Other Correspondence, 1930-1990, n.d.
box 3 Outgoing Correspondence, 1921-1969, n.d. [2 folders]
Library
Texts
box 3 The Aztecs of Mexico, 1951
box 3 Buddhism, 1952
box 3 La Catedral de Barcelona, 1926
box 3 El Clos Del Pastor, Proleg de Victor Catala, 1947
box 3 England in the Late Middle Ages, 1952
box 3 L'escultura catalana moderna, vol.1: proces evolutiu, 1926
box 3 Espa?a y la Europa comunitaria, 1973
box 3 Estudios Literarios, 1952
box 3 Feodalizm na Vostoke, 1932
box 3 A History of Spain, 1958
box 3 The Hittites, 1952
box 8 Le Louvre, The Museum and the Masterpieces in Paintings, n.d.
box 3 Medieval Thought from Saint Augustine to Ochkam, 1958
box 3 An Outline of European Architecture, 1953
box 3 Prehistoric India, 1952
box 4 Rodnaia literatura: khrestomatiia dlia 5 klassa nepolnoi drednei I srednei shkoly, 1941
box 4 Samarkand pri Timure I Timuridakh, 1933
box 4 Sri-Yantra and Siva-Trimurti, 1943
box 4 La Structure du Comportement, 1963
box 4 Theotokopoulos ta viographika, 1942
box 4 Ur of the Chaldees, 1942
box 4 Vida i Mort dels Barcelonins, 1929
box 4 What Happened in History, 1942
Serials
Bulletin of the American Institute for Persian Art and Archaeology
box 4 Vol. III, no. 6 and no. 7, 1934
box 4 Vol. IV, no. 1 and no. 2, 1935
box 4 Vol. IV, no. 3 and no. 4, 1936
Bulletin of the American Institute for Iranian Art and Archaeology
box 4 Vol. V, no. 1 and no. 2, 1937
box 4 Vol. V, no. 3 and no. 4, 1938
box 4 Speculum: A Journal of Medieval Studies, 1959-1974 [17 folders]
Unpublished Materials
box 4 Realm of the Eye, n.d.
box 4 Si Je Sortais, n.d. [3 folders]
Published Materials
box 5 Altichiero--Plates, ca. 1932
box 5 The Artistic Destiny of Iran--Journal article in The New Orient, 1936
Five Variations on the Theme of Japanese Painting
box 5 Administrative expenses, 1959-1960
box 5 Book review (draft), 1962
box 5 Editorial correspondence, 1962-1969
box 5 Publication announcement brochure, 1966
box 5 Book reviews, 1970
box 5 Editorial correspondence, 1970-1982
box 5 Handwritten manuscript, Variations III, IV, V, n.d. [3 folders]
box 5 Notes, general, n.d.
box 5 Notes on Buddhism, n.d.
box 5 Plates, n.d.
box 5 Prologue, draft, n.d.
box 5 Typed manuscript, Typed manuscript, Variations I, II, III, IV, V, n.d. [5 folders]
Fragments of Life, Metaphysics and Art
box 5 Publication announcement, ca. 1953
box 5 Plates, second edition, n.d.
Kabbalah and Art
box 5 Captions, footnotes and plate notes, 1977-1979
box 5 Correspondence regarding permissions, 1977-1978 [3 folders]
box 5 Correspondence with Eleanor Wolfe, General, 1977-1980
box 5 Eleanor Wolf correspondence with Thea Wheelwright, 1978
box 5 Expense receipts, 1977-1978
box 5 General correspondence, 1977-1979 [4 folders]
box 8 Footnotes, drafts, n.d.
box 5 Footnotes, drafts, n.d.
box 5 Plates, first edition, n.d.
box 5 Plates, second edition, n.d.
box 5 Typed manuscript, n.d. [4 folders]
box 5 Lutte et Reconciliation--Public relations materials, 1927, n.d.
box 8 Persian Enamel of the Islamic Period--Chapter in A Survey of Persian Art, 1938
Published Materials
Romantic Homage to Greece and Spain
box 6 Manuscript, Part I, 1970-1971 [2 folders]
box 6 Manuscript, Part II, 1970-1971
box 6 Correspondence, 1972-1991
box 6 Publication announcement, 1993
box 6 Abstract, n.d.
box 6 Editorial comments, n.d.
box 8 Editorial comments, n.d.
box 6 Manuscript, Part I, n.d. [2 folders]
box 6 Manuscript, Part I - "Corrected with Lucas", n.d.
box 6 Manuscript, Part I - "Master Copy", n.d.
box 6 Manuscript, Part I, notes and captions, n.d.
box 6 Manuscript, Part I, notes and captions - "Master Copy", n.d.
box 6 Manuscript, Part II, n.d.
box 6 Manuscript, Part II - "Corrected with Lucas", n.d.
box 6 Manuscript, Part II, notes and captions, n.d.
box 6 Master proofs, n.d. [2 folders]
box 6 Plates, Part I, n.d.
box 6 Plates, Part II, n.d.
box 6 Plates, production details, n.d.
Space in Persian Painting
box 6 Manuscript, n.d.
box 6 Nature of Persian Painting abstract, n.d.
box 6 Nature of Persian Painting, n.d. [3 folders]
box 6 Plates, n.d.
box 8 Stone with the Angel: Ten Lithographs, with fragments of the writing of Léo Bronstein, 1969
Unidentified Art
box 7 Glass plate negatives [18 items]
box 7 Unidentified art, n.d. [6 folders]
box 8 Unidentified art, n.d.

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