Finding Aids to the Special Collections in the VMFA Archives | Pinkney Near Personal Papers and Henrietta Near Artist Archives , SC-42

Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Archives

Margaret R. and Robert M. Freeman Library
200 N. Arthur Ashe Boulevard
Richmond, VA 23220-4007
Business Number: 804-340-1495
library@vmfa.museum
URL: https://vmfa.museum/library/special-collections-archives/

Emily Johnson, Archivist; Kate Kaluzny, Photo Archivist

Administrative Information

Conditions Governing Use

Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by copyright, beyond that allowed by fair use, requires the researcher to obtain permission of copyright holders.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Custodial History

The collection was packed and donated by Henrietta's estate in August 2023.

Preferred Citation

Pinkney Near Personal Papers and Henrietta Near Artist Archives (SC-42). Gift of Henrietta J. Near. VMFA Archives, Richmond, Virginia.

Processing Information

In general, during processing, all publications are removed and added to the VMFA Library's holdings and original newspaper clippings are photocopied, with identifiers transferred, and then destroyed. Original folder titles are retained, when provided.

Biographical / Historical

Pinkney Longlois Near was born April 28, 1927, in Manhattan, New York. After graduating from St. Paul's School in 1944, Pinkney joined the U.S. Marine Corps., serving in the Pacific Theater during the Occupation of Japan from March 26, 1945-August 21, 1946. In 1950, Pinkney earned his Bachelor of Arts from Johns Hopkins University. On August 18, 1956, Pinkney married Henrietta. From 1954-1990, Pinkney served as a curator of VMFA, only leaving briefly to work as a curator at the Cincinnati Art Museum. Pinkney passed away August 29, 1990.

Henrietta Jane Near (née Lloyd) was born November 2, 1929, in Holyoke, Massachusetts. She first began exploring art in Hartford, Connecticut at the Hartford Art School. Henrietta graduated from Wellesley College in 1951 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art History and a minor in Studio Art. She taught silkscreen painting at VMFA from 1980-1989 before moving on to teach drawing and pastel at the Hand Workshop from 1990-1992. Henrietta was an involved participant in Richmond's local art scene, exhibiting her art at the 1708 Gallery, Artspace Gallery, and the Henry Street Gallery, among others. Her artwork can be found in the collections of Randolph-Macon College, Virginia Wesleyan College, University of Virginia Hospital, and the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, in addition to numerous private collections.

Container List

SC-42-01

Series 1: Pinkney Near

3 boxes 3 boxes; 11 folders

1916-2002English, Latin.

Scope and Contents

This series documents the life and career of Pinkney Near.

SC-42-01.1
Sub-Series 1.1: Career Files
1958-2002English.
- Mixed Materials SC-42 Box 1 Mixed Materials SC-42 Box 3 Graphic Materials Binder: SC-42 Box 4 SC42.01.1.F01
  VMFA
  1958-2002
  Scope and Contents
  This file contains correspondence, newspaper clippings, ephemera, and a miniature medallion pertaining to Pinkney's time at the VMFA.
- Mixed Materials SC-42 Box 1 SC42.01.1.F02
  Cincinnati Art Museum
  1963-1990
  Scope and Contents
  This file contains correspondence, newspaper clippings, and ephemera pertaining to Pinkney's time at the Cincinnati Art Museum.
SC-42-01.2
Sub-Series 1.2: Personal Papers
1916-1990English, Latin.
- Mixed Materials SC-42 Box 1 Mixed Materials SC-42 Box 3 Graphic Materials Binder: SC-42 Box 4 SC42.01.2.F01
  Childhood and Education
  1927-1956
  Scope and Contents
  This file contains a baby book, birth certificate, bibliography, diplomas, report cards, among other materials pertaining to Pinkney's early life and education.
- Mixed Materials SC-42 Box 1 Graphic Materials Oversize: SC-42 File 1 SC42.01.2.F02
  Military Service Records
  1945-1946
  Scope and Contents
  This file contains papers and cards documenting Pinkney's time in the Marine Corps.
- Mixed Materials SC-42 Box 1 SC42.01.2.F03
  Personal Life
  1956-1990
  Scope and Contents
  This file contains ephemera, correspondence, and vital records pertaining to Pinkney's life.
Mixed Materials SC-42 Box 1 SC-42-01.3
Sub-Series 1.3: Near Family Papers
1916-1983English.
Scope and Contents
This sub-series contains correspondence between Near family members, articles, and poetry written by Clifford Near, Pinkney's brother.

SC-42-02

Series 2: Henrietta Near

3 boxes 3 boxes; 14 folders

1873-2020English.

Scope and Contents

This series documents the life and career of Henrietta Near.

SC-42-02.1
Sub-Series 2.1: Career Files
1961-2016
- Mixed Materials SC-42 Box 1 Graphic Materials Binder: SC-42 Box 4 SC42.02.1.F01
  Art
  1971-2016
  Scope and Contents
  This file contains loan agreements, sale orders, correspondence, photographs, and articles pertaining to Henrietta's artwork.
- Mixed Materials SC-42 Box 1 SC42.02.1.F02
  Art Organizations
  1961-2015
  Scope and Contents
  This file contains correspondence, grant applications, meeting minutes, articles, and ephemera pertaining to Henrietta's work with various Richmond art organizations. Included are Art6 (2004-2015), ArtSpace (1990-2007), Hand Workshop (1991-1992), Henry Street Gallery (1987), Very Special Arts (1998-2000), and VMFA (1961).
- Mixed Materials SC-42 Box 1 SC42.02.1.F03
  Dance
  1966-1999
  Scope and Contents
  This file contains correspondence, newspaper clippings, and articles about the topic of dance and Henrietta's dance career.
Mixed Materials SC-42 Box 1 Graphic Materials Binder: SC-42 Box 4 SC-42-02.2
Sub-Series 2.2: Personal Life
1929-2017
Scope and Contents
This sub-series contains correspondence, ephemera, and newspaper clippings that pertain to Henrietta's personal life and interests.
Mixed Materials SC-42 Box 1 SC-42-02.3
Sub-Series 2.3: Financial Records
1990-2014
Scope and Contents
This sub-series contains correspondence and financial records that pertain to the finances of and donations made by Henrietta Near. Included in the institutions she donated to are the Bayly Art Museum and the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, among others.
Mixed Materials SC-42 Box 2 Graphic Materials Binder: SC-42 Box 4 SC-42-02.4
Sub-Series 2.4: Lloyd Family Papers
1873-1994
Scope and Contents
This sub-series contains correspondence, a book, ephemera, and photographs that pertain to the Lloyd family.