WAUKoenigJohnFranklin2734.xmlGuide to the John Franklin Koenig Papers 1930-2011Koenig (John Franklin) PapersSpecial Collections, University of Washington Libraries©2011 (Last modified: 12/30/2020)
Seattle, WA 98195
Finding aid written in English.Finding aid based on DACS (Describing Archives: A Content Standard).University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections2734Koenig, John Franklin, 1924-2008John Franklin Koenig papers1930-201125.74 cubic feet (45 boxes, 2 audio cassettes, and 1 vertical file)Collection materials are in English and in French.Correspondence, artwork, exhibit materials, invitations, writings, and other papers of John Franklin Koenig, an artist based in Paris, France and Seattle, Washington

John Franklin Koenig was born on October 24, 1924, in Seattle, Washington. He attended Lincoln High School and began college at the University of Washington, but left in 1943 to serve in World War II in the 11th Armored Division, 22nd Battalion in France. Following the war, Koenig returned to Seattle and re-enrolled at the University of Washington in 1948, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Romance Languages with a minor in Art. While in Seattle, he became familiar with the Northwest School of Art, particularly the work of Morris Graves and Mark Tobey. He returned to France in 1948 to study French literature and remained there for the majority of his life, though he returned to live in Seattle in 2004.

While in France, Koenig studied at La Sorbonne in Paris. In 1952, he co-founded the international art magazine Cimaise with Jean-Robert Arnaud, with whom he had worked at Arnaud's bookstore. Koenig and Arnaud also opened the Galerie Arnaud, where Koenig held his first solo art exhibition in 1952. Koenig's work has since been featured in hundreds of exhibits throughout Europe, North America, Africa, and Asia. In 1985, Koenig was named Officier de l'Ordre des Arts and Lettres by the French Ministry of Culture, an award rarely given to a person who is not of French origin. He also won the Gold Medal of the City of Paris that same year.

John Franklin Koenig died in 2008.

Organized into 4 accessions.

Accession No. 2734-001, John Franklin Koenig papers, 1971Accession No. 2734-002, John Franklin Koenig papers, 1900s-2011Accession No. 2734-003, John Franklin Koenig papers, 1947-2003Accession No. 2734-004, John Franklin Koenig papers, 1942-2008

Oral history recording and transcript, correspondence, clippings, exhibition materials, artwork, notebooks, publicity and reviews, and other papers of artist John Franklin Koenig.

Some records are stored off site; advance notice required for use.

Open to all users.

Some records are stored off site; advance notice required for use.

Request at UW

Restrictions may exist on copying, quotation, or publication. Contact Special Collections, University of Washington Libraries for details.

Material Described Separately:

John Franklin Koenig embellished book bindings (Collection 6082)

John Franklin Koenig photographs (PH2017-043)

Personal Papers/Corporate Records (University of Washington)Koenig, John Franklin, 1924-2008--ArchivesKoenig, John Franklin, 1924-2008--InterviewsArtists--Washington (State)--SeattleArt--Washington (State)--SeattleArt--Washington (State)--Seattle--ExhibitionsInterviewsOral historiesEphemeraRecords (Documents)Sound recordingsPersonal correspondenceFine Arts

 

Accession No. 2734-001: John Franklin Koenig papers, 19712 sound cassettes (3 sides, 80 minutes) plus 1 transcript (26 pages)

Arrangement: Arranged as received.

Scope and Content: Tape recorded interview conducted by Lucy and Blair Kirk on 22 April 1971; transcript; exhibit catalogues.

This conversation serves as a career chronology and covers philosophical and aesthetic views of the artist.

Restrictions on Access: Open to all users.

Restrictions on Use: Creator's literary rights transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.

Acquisition Info: Donated by Lucy and Blair Kirk, April 22, 1971.

Accession No. 2734-002: John Franklin Koenig papers, 1900s-2011 (bulk 1950s-1970s)17.35 cubic feet (35 boxes)

Arrangement: Arranged into 11 series: Exhibition Catalogs and ArticlesInvitationsOriginal Artworks on PaperExhibition PostersEngraving PlatesLinoleum CutsBiographical MaterialsInterviews and RecordingsSubject files on other artistsFile on Deryl Walls v. Quickfish MediaCimaise

Scope and Content: Correspondence, clippings, DVDs, exhibition catalogs, drawings, essays, notes on projects, photographic materials, prints, posters, and other materials.

Physical/Technical Access: Records stored off site; advance notice required for use.

Restrictions on Access: Open to all users.

Records stored off site; advance notice required for use.

Restrictions on Use: Creator's literary rights retained. Contact Special Collections for details

Related Material: A selection of artworks and other materials can be found in the Musee des Beaux-Arts d'Angers, the Bibliotheque Municipale d'Angers, and the Musee de la Tapisserie d'Angers.

Acquisition Info: Donated by Claire A. and John C. Koenig, June 30, 2011.

Processing Info: Processing completed by Sarah Caldwell and Deborah Hamilton in 2011.

Processing Info: A film reel, a roll of PNW Artist posters, and photograph of William Merchant Pease by Mary Randlett were separated and routed to the Visual Materials curator.2 cartons of collage covered books and artists' books made by Koenig were separated and routed to the Book Arts curator.36 architecture magazines were separated and routed to UW Libraries gifts program

Exhibition Catalogs and Articles

General Notes: A paper index to the "C" series of exhibition catalogs and articles can be found in Special Collections.

12734-002C101-C1251958-199022734-002C126-C1571956-199832734-002C158-C1861952-198542734-002C187-C2041952-200552734-002C205-C2181954-200762734-002C219-C2271958-200772734-002C228-C2451952-199282734-002C246-C2681954-200892734-002C269-C2771955-2008102734-002C278-C2981955-1981112734-002C299-C3111953-2009122734-002C312-C3151956-1990132734-002C316-C3181967-1993142734-002C319-C3201955-1975152734-002C320-C3211975-1979162734-002C322-C3291957-1992172734-002C330-C3411953-2007182734-002C342-C3681956-2008192734-002C369-C4281952-2008202734-002C429-C5361956-2008212734-002C537-C6751963-1976222734-002C676-C8201952-2010232734-002C821-C10961952-2008242734-002C1097-C11871949-2011Invitations

General Notes: A paper index to the "I" series of invitations can be found in Special Collections.

252734-002I101-I270262734-002I271-I449272734-002I450-I615Original Artworks on Paper282734-002Untitled1989 ; 6- ½ inches by 5-1/8 inches282734-002VI1989 ; 6- ½ inches by 5-1/8 inches282734-002Untitled19902002 ; 11-1/8 inches by 6-3/4 inches282734-002Untitled Collages1953-19554 collages ; 10 inches by 13 inches312734-002Kyot IV1989 ; 17-3/4 inches by 13-3/4 inches312734-002Tantrit1978 ; 20-7/8 inches by 17-7/8inches312734-002Untitled1959 ; 18-1/16 inches by 18-1/16 inches312734-002Alll1962 ; 8-1/2 inches by 8-1/2 inches312734-002Dai I1962-1963 ; 19-1/8 inches by 19-1/8 inches312734-002Untitledundated

General Notes: This piece is similar to the one in C322, Quinta Viennale d'Arte Sacra--see pages 78-79 in Museum of Modern Art Dunkerque (France) 1992. Folding panels attached with ribbon.

28-29, 322734-002Prints

General Notes: A paper index for the prints can be found in Special Collections.

29-30, 322734-002Exhibition Posters282734-002Engraving Plates292734-002Linoleum Cuts332734-002Biographical Materialscirca 1900s-1942332734-002Interviews and Recordings1969-2008

General Notes: Includes the following: Interview with John F. Koenig. KRAB- Seattle, WA. April 16, 1970. 1 CD with transcript.Letters between J. F. Koenig and Michel Ragon. Read by J. F. Koenig. 1969. 1 CD.Portrait d'Artiste. RTL Service Television Luxembourg. Interview with Mme. Thorn. 1976. 1 DVD. 14 minutes.Interview with John F. Koenig. Fuji Television Gallery. June 19, 1972. 1 DVDInterview with John F. Koenig. WNTV Bravo. December 2, 1993. 1 DVD. 7 minutesThe Letter: John Franklin Koenig Northwest Master, Home and Away by: Galen Garwood. 2008. 1 DVD.Interview with John F. Koenig and Serge Guilbaut. For B.Bomb Book and Exhibition at Evergreen Adult Family Home, Seattle, WA. June 7, 2006. 1 DVD.

342734-002Subject files on other artists1956-2000342734-002File on Deryl Walls v. Quickfish Media1998352734-002Cimaise1953-2008

General Notes: Includes the following: Vol. 1, No. 1. November 1953Vol. 1, No. 2. December 1953Vol. 1, No. 3. January 1954Vol. 1, No. 4. February-March 1954Vol. 1, No. 5. April 1954Vol. 1, No. 6. May 1954Vol. 1, No. 7. June 1954Vol. 1, No. 8. July-August 1954Vol. 2, No. 1. September-October 1954Vol. 2, No. 2. November-December 1954Vol. 2, No. 3. January-February 1955Vol. 2, No. 4. March 1955Vol. 2, No. 5. April 1955Vol. 2, No. 6. May 1955Vol. 2, No. 7. June 1955Vol. 2, No. 8. July 1955Vol. 3, No. 1. October-November 1955Vol. 3, No. 2. December 1955Vol. 3, No. 4. March 1956Vol. 3, No. 6. May 1956Vol. 3, No. 7-8. June-August 1956Vol. 4, No. 1. September-October 1956Vol. 4, No. 2. November-December 1956Vol. 4, No. 3. January-February 1957Vol. 4, No. 4. March-April 1957Vol. 4, No. 5. May-June 1957Vol. 4, No. 6. July-August 1957Vol. 5, No. 1. September-October 1957Vol. 5, No. 3. January-February 1958Vol. 5, No. 4. March-April 1958Vol. 5, No. 5. May-June 1958Vol. 6, No. 2. December 1958Vol. 6, No. 4. March-April 1959Vol. 54, No. 287. September-November 2007Vol. 55, No. 288. December 2007-February 2008Les sommaires du no.1 au no. 152. 1953-1981Couvertures et sommaire des no. 1 a 102. 1953-1971

Accession No. 2734-003: John Franklin Koenig papers, 1947-20034.16 cubic feet (5 boxes)

Arrangement: Arranged alphabetically by subject.

Scope and Content: Address books, notebooks, notes and lists of artwork, slides, photographs, sketchbooks, invitations, CDs and DVDs of electronic documents, and other materials.

Physical/Technical Access: Records stored off site; advance notice required for use.

Restrictions on Access: Open to all users.

Records stored off site; advance notice required for use.

Restrictions on Use: Creator's literary rights retained. Contact Special Collections for details

Related Material: A selection of artworks and other materials by John Franklin Koenig were donated by Claire A. and John C. Koenig to the Musee des Beaux-Arts d'Angers, the Bibliotheque Municipale d'Angers, and the Musee de la Tapisserie d'Angers.

Acquisition Info: Donated by Claire A. and John C. Koenig, August 05, 2011.

Processing Info: Processing completed by Sarah Caldwell in 2011.

3 boxes of postcards returned to donor.

12734-003Address books and notebooksundated2/12734-003Artwork (DVD) - imagesundated

General Notes: Corresponds with art inventory

2/2-62734-003Artwork - notes and listsundated2/7-152734-003Artwork files1947-196132734-003Artwork files1962-19804/1-52734-003Artwork files1981-20034/6-102734-003Artwork files-unsortedundated4/112734-003Sketchbookundated4/122734-003Sketchbook19774/132734-003Invitations - unsorted1954-19605/12734-003Documents (CDs) - covering 1914 to 1961undated5/2-82734-003Documents1948-1961Accession No. 2734-004: John Franklin Koenig papers, 1942-20114.23 cubic feet (5 boxes including 9 CDs)

Arrangement: Papers are arranged chronologically.

Scope and Content: Correspondence; clippings; notes and sketches; biographical materials; artwork and exhibition planning materials, publicity, and reviews; and writings primarily related to John Franklin Koenig's career as an artist. Some personal papers are also included, especially personal correspondence and other documents from Koenig's service during World War II. Some of the papers, especially correspondence, are in French.

Physical/Technical Access: Records stored off site; advance notice required for use.

Restrictions on Access: Open to all users.

Records stored off site; advance notice required for use.

Restrictions on Use: Creator's literary rights retained. Contact Special Collections for details.

Acquisition Info: Claire A. and John C. Koenig, 2011-09-27 and 2012-05-25

12734-004Biographical data1949-198812734-004Passports and IDs1940s-2000s12734-004Documents1942-197722734-004Documents1978-199932734-004Documents1999-2007, undated32734-004Essaysundated32734-004Invitations1968-201132734-004Galeries D'Art198242734-004Lecture notes and slide show198542734-004Smithsonian Cummings interview197642734-004Miscellaneousundated42734-004KCTS1999-200342734-004Koenig's lecture notes on danceundated42734-004"La Danse Contemporaine" working documentscirca 198042734-004Cloud Orchardundated42734-004"John Franklin Koenig: Northwest Master, Home and Away" exhibit at the Whatcom Museum200842734-004Documents2008-201042734-004Galerie Treize 131980s42734-004Additional Seattle State Exhibition documentsundated42734-004Miscellaneous documentsundated42734-004War Years documentsMay 1943-February 194652734-004War Years documentsMay 1945-February 194652734-004Thoughts and drawings by Koenigundated