Tchelitchew, Pavel, 1898-1957

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Russian-born painter, set designer, and costume designer, Pavel Tchelitchew emigrated in 1920. He lived in Berlin (1921-23) and Paris (1923-34) before moving to New York, where he lived with his partner Charles Henri Ford. He became a United States citizen in 1952 and died in Grottaferrata, Italy in 1957.

Tchelitchew's early painting was abstract in style, described as Constructivist and Futurist and influenced by his study with Aleksandra Ekster in Kiev. After emigrating to Paris he became associated with the Neoromanticism movement. He continuously experimented with new styles, eventually incorporating multiple perspectives and elements of surrealism and fantasy into his painting. As a set and costume designer, he collaborated with Serge Diaghliev and George Balanchine, among others.

In Paris Tchelitchew became acquainted with Gertrude Stein and, through her, the Sitwell and Gorer families. He and Edith Sitwell had a long-standing close friendship and they corresponded frequently.

Among Tchelitchew's well-known paintings are portraits of Natalia Glasko, Edith Sitwell and Gertrude Stein and the works Phenomena (1936-1938) and Cache Cache (1940-1942). He designed sets for Ode (Paris, 1928), L'Errante (Paris, 1933), Nobilissima Visione (London, 1938) and Ondine (Paris, 1939), among other productions.

Alexandra Zaoussailoff was sister of Pavel Tchelitchew; he addressed her as Choura (in Russian: Shura). She was the only other member of Tchelitchew’s immediate family to emigrate from Russia and lived primarily in Paris.

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Katharine Kuh papers, 1937-1964 (inclusive). Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn Fonds Louis Jouvet Bibliothèque nationale de France. Département des arts du spectacle
referencedIn Romney, Richard Adams 1918-. Letters to Richard Adams Romney, 1942-1967. Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
creatorOf Boultenhouse, Charles, 1926-. Charles Boultenhouse and Parker Tyler Papers, 1927-1994. New York Public Library System, NYPL
referencedIn Tchelitchew, Pavel : Biographical file. Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center
referencedIn Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas papers, 1837-1961 Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn [Pavel Tchelitchew] [graphic]. Archives of American Art
referencedIn Sitwell, Edith, 1887-1964. Autograph letter signed : London, to Kenneth Clark, "Thursday" [after 1957 July 31]. Pierpont Morgan Library.
creatorOf Cornell, Joseph. Joseph Cornell letters : Flushing (N.Y.), to Charles Henri Ford, 1938-1957. Getty Research Institute
referencedIn James Thrall Soby papers, 1928-1975, 1935-1955 Getty Research Institute
referencedIn Edith Sitwell Letters, 1930-1962 University of Sussex Library
referencedIn Page, Ruth,. Interview with Ruth Page. New York Public Libraries for the Performing Arts, Dance Collection
referencedIn Sitwell, Edith, 1887-1964. Autograph letter signed : London, to Jane Clark, "Easter Sunday" [1962]. Pierpont Morgan Library.
referencedIn Vera Zorina papers Harvard Theater Collection, Houghton Library, Harvard College Library, Harvard University
creatorOf Tchelitchew, Pavel, 1898-1957. Pavel Tchelitchew letters to George Hoyningen-Huene, 1955 Houghton Library
referencedIn Charles Henri Ford papers, 1906-1989, 1939-1989 Getty Research Institute
referencedIn Howard D. Rothschild papers, 1921-1989. Harvard Theater Collection, Houghton Library, Harvard College Library, Harvard University
referencedIn Ivry, Benjamin,. Benjamin Ivry collection of correspondence on Pavel Tchelitchew, 1981-1982. Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn Kirstein, Lincoln, 1907-1996. Papers, ca. 1913-1994. New York Public Library System, NYPL
referencedIn New Directions Publishing records Houghton Library
referencedIn Charles Henri Ford Papers TXRC97-A13., 1928-1981 Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center
referencedIn Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo. [Souvenir program, Monte Carlo? 1939? different ed.] New York Public Libraries for the Performing Arts, Dance Collection
referencedIn Durlacher Bros. Durlacher Bros. Records, 1919-1973. Getty Research Institute
referencedIn Clark, Kenneth, 1903-1983. Papers, ca. 1923-1983. Biblioteca Berenson, Villa I Tatti - The Harvard University Center for Italian Renaissance Studies
referencedIn George Lynes Platt photographs, 1935-1953. Harvard Theater Collection, Houghton Library, Harvard College Library, Harvard University
referencedIn Charles Boultenhouse and Parker Tyler papers, 1927-1994 New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
referencedIn Allen Tanner papers, 1902-1986 Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
creatorOf TCHELITCHEW, PAVEL. Artist file : miscellaneous uncataloged material. Museum of Modern Art (MOMA)
referencedIn Sitwell, Edith, 1887-1964. Autograph letter signed : Renishaw Hall [near Sheffield], to Kenneth Clark, 1946 May 21. Pierpont Morgan Library.
referencedIn Glenway Wescott papers, 1900-1990 Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn Sitwell, Edith, 1887-1964. Autograph letter signed : Renishaw Hall [near Sheffield], to Kenneth Clark, 1946 Jan. 15. Pierpont Morgan Library.
referencedIn Katharine Kuh papers, 1937-1964 (inclusive). Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn Dame Edith Sitwell Collection Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center
creatorOf Martin Birnbaum papers Archives of American Art
referencedIn Sitwell, Edith, 1887-1964. Autograph letter signed : Montagnana, Italy, to Kenneth Clark, 1950 May 12. Pierpont Morgan Library.
referencedIn George Balanchine archive, 1924-1989 (inclusive), 1961-1983 (bulk). Harvard Theater Collection, Houghton Library, Harvard College Library, Harvard University
referencedIn Sitwell, Edith, 1887-1964. Autograph letter signed : Renishaw Hall [near Sheffield], to Kenneth Clark, 1949 May 25. Pierpont Morgan Library.
referencedIn American Federation of Arts records Archives of American Art
referencedIn Koshkin-Youritzin, Victor. Victor Koshkin-Youritzin papers, 1999-2006. Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
creatorOf Church, Ralph Withington. Ralph Withington Church papers, [ca. 1926-1955] UC Berkeley Libraries
creatorOf Tchelitchew, Pavel, 1898-1957. Artist file. Brooklyn Museum Libraries & Archives
referencedIn Ford, Charles Henri, 1913-. Charles Henri Ford Papers, 1928-1981. Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center
referencedIn Sitwell, Edith, 1887-1964. Autograph letter signed : Renishaw Hall [near Sheffield], to Jane Clark, 1946 May 27. Pierpont Morgan Library.
referencedIn Sitwell, Edith, 1887-1964. Autograph letter signed : Paris, to Kenneth Clark, 1937 Jan. 10. Pierpont Morgan Library.
referencedIn Sitwell, Edith, 1887-1964. Autograph letter signed : London, to Jane Clark, "Thursday" [1959-1960]. Pierpont Morgan Library.
creatorOf Pavel Tchelitchew collection, 1907-1971, 1928-1957 Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn Sitwell, Edith, 1887-1964. Autograph letter signed : Bournemouth, to Kenneth Clark, 1946 Jan. 7. Pierpont Morgan Library.
referencedIn Lobanov-Rostovsky, Nikita D.,. Lobanov-Rostovsky collection of slides of Russian scenery and costume designs, 1884-1965. New York Public Library System, NYPL
referencedIn Museum of Modern Art (New York, N.Y.). Tchelitchew, paintings, drawings. 1942 : Archives pamphlet file : miscellaneous uncataloged material. Metropolitan Museum of Art, Thomas J. Watson Library
creatorOf Dame Edith Sitwell Collection Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center
referencedIn Sitwell, Edith, 1887-1964. Autograph letter signed : Renishaw Hall [near Sheffield , to Kenneth Clark, 1947 Dec. 10. Pierpont Morgan Library.
referencedIn George Platt Lynes scrapbooks. Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn Sitwell, Edith, 1887-1964. Autograph letter signed : Montagnana, Italy, to Jane Clark, 1954 Oct. 10. Pierpont Morgan Library.
referencedIn Sitwell, Edith, 1887-1964. Autograph letter signed : London, to Jane Clark, "Thursday" [after 1957 July 31]. Pierpont Morgan Library.
creatorOf Soby, James Thrall, 1906-1979. James Thrall Soby papers, 1928-1975 (bulk 1935-1955). Getty Research Institute
referencedIn Howard D. Rothschild collection on, Ballets Russes, of Serge Diaghilev, 1909-1956 (inclusive), 1909-1914 (bulk). Harvard Theater Collection, Houghton Library, Harvard College Library, Harvard University
referencedIn Stravinsky-Diaghilev Foundation research files, 1920-1989. Harvard Theater Collection, Houghton Library, Harvard College Library, Harvard University
referencedIn Florine and Ettie Stettheimer papers, 1898-1974 (inclusive), 1906-1953 Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn Romney, Richard Adams, 1918-. Letters to Richard Adams Romney, 1942-1967. Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
creatorOf Sitwell, Edith, 1887-1964. Edith Sitwell - Pavel Tchelitchew correspondence, 1929-1957. Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn Monroe Wheeler papers, 1890-1995 Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn Thomson, Virgil, 1896-1989,. Interview with Virgil Thomson. New York Public Libraries for the Performing Arts, Dance Collection
referencedIn George Platt Lynes photographs Archives of American Art
creatorOf Eleanor Howland Bunce papers Archives of American Art
referencedIn Sitwell, Edith, 1887-1964. Autograph letter signed : Renishaw Hall [near Sheffield], to Jane Clark, 1935 Oct. 15. Pierpont Morgan Library.
referencedIn Pierre Matisse Gallery printed material Archives of American Art
creatorOf Tyler, Parker, 1907- . Correspondence, 1930-1959. Brown University Archives, John Hay Library
creatorOf Ford, Charles Henri. Charles Henri Ford papers, 1906-1989, bulk 1920-1989. Getty Research Institute
referencedIn Sitwell, Edith, 1887-1964. Autograph letter signed : London, to Kenneth Clark, "Sunday" [after 1957 July 31]. Pierpont Morgan Library.
referencedIn Lincoln Kirstein papers, ca. 1913-1994 The New York Public Library. Jerome Robbins Dance Division.
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Oral history interview with Brooks Jackson Archives of American Art
Relation Name
associatedWith American Federation of Arts. corporateBody
correspondedWith Balanchine, George. person
associatedWith Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo. corporateBody
associatedWith Birnbaum, Martin, 1878-1970. person
associatedWith Boultenhouse, Charles person
associatedWith Boultenhouse, Charles, 1926- person
associatedWith Bunce, Eleanor Howland, 1905- person
associatedWith Church, Ralph Withington. person
associatedWith Clark, Kenneth, 1903-1983. person
associatedWith Cornell, Joseph. person
associatedWith Durlacher Bros. corporateBody
associatedWith Ford, Charles Henri person
associatedWith Ford, Charles Henri. person
associatedWith Ford, Charles Henri, 1913- person
associatedWith Gorer, Geoffrey, 1905- person
associatedWith Howard D. Rothschild. person
associatedWith Hoyningen-Huene, George, 1900-1968 person
associatedWith Ivry, Benjamin, person
associatedWith Jackson, Brooks, gallery owner, person
associatedWith Jouvet, Louis (1887-1951) person
associatedWith Kirstein, Lincoln, 1907-1996. person
associatedWith Kochanski, Sofia. person
associatedWith Kochanski, Sofia. person
associatedWith Koshkin-Youritzin, Victor. person
associatedWith Kuh, Katharine. person
associatedWith Lynes, George Platt, 1907-1955. person
associatedWith Museum of Modern Art (New York, N.Y.) corporateBody
associatedWith New Directions Publishing Corp. corporateBody
associatedWith Page, Ruth, person
associatedWith Pierre Matisse Gallery (New York, N.Y.) corporateBody
associatedWith Romney, Richard Adams 1918- person
correspondedWith Rothschild, Howard D. person
associatedWith Sitwell, Edith, Dame, 1887-1964 person
associatedWith Soby, James Thrall, 1906-1979. person
associatedWith Stein, Gertrude, 1874-1946. person
associatedWith Stettheimer, Florine, 1871-1944. person
associatedWith Stravinsky-Diaghilev Foundation. corporateBody
associatedWith Tanner, Allen. person
associatedWith Tanner, Allen. person
associatedWith Tanner, Allen. person
associatedWith Thomson, Virgil, 1896-1989, person
associatedWith Tyler, Parker. person
associatedWith Tyler, Parker, 1907- . person
associatedWith Wescott, Glenway, 1901-1987. person
associatedWith Wheeler, Monroe, 1899- person
associatedWith Wheeler, Monroe, 1899-1988. person
associatedWith Zaoussailoff, Alexandra. person
associatedWith Zaoussailoff, Alexandra. person
associatedWith Zarudnaia, Varvara Fedorovna person
associatedWith Zarudnaia, Varvara Fedorovna. person
correspondedWith Zorina, Vera. person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Russian Federation 00 RU
Subject
Art, Modern
Theater
Ballets russes
LGBTQ resource
Painters
Painters
Painters
Painters
Painters, Russian
Painting, American
Occupation
Artists
Authors
Women authors
Painter
Poets
Set designers
Activity

Person

Birth 1898-09-21

Death 1957-07-31

Russians

Russian,

English,

French,

Russian,

German

Information

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Ark ID: w6sc4wrw

SNAC ID: 84935294