Helen Blumenschein Collection

Collection

Identifier: PAC 008

Staff Only

Scope and Content

This is a minimally processed collection of primarily personal family photographs, many not identified. There are an abundant number of photos of Helen G. Blumenschein, her artist parents Ernest and Mary, including her time in the military, her family, and travels. There are negatives for which there are no prints and vice versa. Some notation on envelopes and backs of photos.

Dates

1909 - 1989

Creator

Blumenschein, Helen G. (Helen Greene), 1909-1989 (Person)

Access Restrictions

Readers may examine material under staff supervision in the Photo Archives Reading Room. There are no copy restrictions.

Copy Restrictions

Permission to publish must be obtained from Photo Archives. Online Request Permission form available at http://www.palaceofthegovernors.org/photo_request.html. User responsible for all copyright compliance.

Biographical Information

Helen Greene Blumenschein was a celebrated painter, printmaker, illustrator, historian, amateur archaeologist and though an avid hunter, an environmentalist. She was born in Brooklyn, NY to the prominent artists and first generation Taos artits, Ernest L. and Mary Greene Blumenschein. Helen moved to Taos, NM at age ten and lived there most of her life. She attended the Sisters of Lorretto Catholic School in Taos and then Packer Collegiate Institute in Brooklyn. She studied art in Paris for two years (1929-1931) followed by studies at the Art Students League in New York.

Blumenschein travelled extensively and during World War II she served with the Women’s Army Corps as a lieutenant in the South Pacific. After the war she returned to Taos to pursue a career in art, historical writing, and amateur archaeological excavations. She exhibited extensively including a show with her parents at the Museum of Northern Arizona in Flagstaff.