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Larry Elsner sketchbooks, 1960-1990

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Elsner, Larry E.
Title
Larry Elsner sketchbooks
Dates
1960-1990 (inclusive)
Quantity
73 Drawing Journals, (14 linear feet)
Collection Number
USU_COLL MSS 511
Summary
The drawing journals of Larry Elsner, a professor at Utah State University from 1960-1990.
Repository
Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library, Special Collections and Archives Division
Special Collections & Archives
Merrill-Cazier Library
Utah State University
Logan, UT
84322-3000
Telephone: 4357978248
Fax: 4357972880
scweb@usu.edu
Access Restrictions

No restrictions on use, except: not available through interlibrary loan.

Languages
English
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Biographical Note

Larry E. Elsner was a world renowned art professor who taught at Utah State University from 1960 until 1990. Larry was born in 1930 in the southern Idaho community of Gooding and was raised in the surroundings of his family's ranch. The environment of Larry's childhood home deeply impressed itself upon his visual memory. Its expansive night sky; its seasons, rocks, and wind; its seed and animals; the patterns and textures of its earth; and its quietness helped define the perimeter of Larry's youthful world. Years later, the essence of this place would help shape Larry's artistic universe as its characteristics emerged with infinite variety and interpretation in his works.

Elsner attended the University of Idaho from 1948 to 1951 before serving in the United States Navy from 1953 to 1955. After his return, he attended Utah State University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in fine arts. Only a year later, he received his master’s degree in Fine Arts from Columbia University.

A quiet, thoughtful person, his natural inclination was toward modesty rather than self-promotion, regardless of his undeniable talent or the stature of his achievements. As an artist, he was primarily concerned with the process of making sculptural forms -- forms that would speak softly and with eloquence to anyone who would like to listen. He was also a gifted teacher who shared his knowledge of the visual arts, and sculpture, in particular, through the courses he taught at Utah State University. During his tenure as a professor in the Art Department, Larry taught anatomy, drawing, ceramics, metalsmithing, jewelry casting and sculpture in all media.

Familiar examples of Larry's artworks are the elegantly-shaped sculpture and vessel forms he crafted in clay, metal, and wood. To enrich these forms, Larry worked in other media to generate new ideas or fresh approaches to his materials. Drawing was particularly important because the process functioned as an independent means of expression and a discipline through which Larry invented, explored and clarified ideas about form. Although Larry produced hundreds of exquisitely-drawn studies during the course of his career, this aspect of his work is relatively unknown.

After a long career, Larry Elsner passed away in his home on March 27, 1990 at age 59 in Logan, Utah.

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Content Description

This collection contains the sketchbooks and journals of Larry Elsner, most of which were developed during Elsner’s teaching career at Utah State University between 1960 and 1990.

The drawing journals have been organized according to the estate numbers given to the set by Yoko Elsner after Larry’s death. Each book is stored in custom-sized boxes created specifically for the collection.

The sketchbooks focus on the process of creating three-dimensional forms, and the contents reflect several overarching themes of Larry's work: the human form; animals, especially cats and horses; the landscape; and the forces and cycles of nature. Miscellaneous writings including poetry, quotes, and brief notes touching on the philosophy of art, aesthetics, and Elsner’s inspirations also appear throughout the sketches, leaving an intimate record of the most significant experiences, concerns and ideas of the artist's life.

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Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances.

Permission to publish material from the Larry Elsner sketchbooks must be obtained from the Special Collections Manuscript Curator and/or the Special Collections Department Head.

Preferred Citation

Initial Citation: Larry Elsner sketchbooks USU_COLL MSS 511, Box [ ]. Special Collections and Archives. Utah State University Merrill-Cazier Library. Logan, Utah.

Following Citations:USU_COLL MSS 511, USUSCA.

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Administrative Information

Arrangement

Arranged according to the estate numbers given to the set by Yoko Elsner after Larry’s death.

Processing Note

Processed in June of 2016

Acquisition Information

The Larry Elsner sketchbooks were collectively donated to Utah State University Special Collections and Archives between the years 2007 and 2011 by Yoko Elsner.

Bibliography

Milovich, Rose M. True to Form: Journal Drawings, Writing and Related Sculpture by Larry E. Elsner. 1999.
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Detailed Description of the Collection

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Personal Names

  • Elsner, Larry E.--Drawing.
  • Elsner, Larry E.--Notebooks.
  • Elsner, Larry E.--Utah State University.

Finding aid/Register created by Elisabeth Cropper and Clint Pumphrey
2016

CC Attribution
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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