Archives & Research

The Foundation collects and preserves materials that illuminate Joan Mitchell’s life, work, and legacy, making them available to students and scholars.

Two women lean over a table inspecting photographs in archive folders

Our archival collections include:

Mitchell’s personal and professional correspondence
Photographs
Studio materials
Books from Mitchell’s library
Exhibition records
Archival art (including sketchbooks, materials related to printmaking, and gifts of artwork from friends)
Other primary source materials from Mitchell’s life

In addition to these holdings, the Foundation manages a collection of Joan Mitchell's artwork that spans all periods of her career. We work with museums and other institutions to ensure that a wide and diverse audience has access to her work through exhibitions, educational activities, and public programming.

Access & Research Support

As we complete processing of our archival collections, the Archives are not currently open for on-site research. However, Foundation staff are available to answer research questions and may make selected materials available to scholars, curators, and students at our discretion.

We also welcome inquiries from curators and other museum representatives about the availability of artworks for study or loan. Please note the Foundation does not authenticate or appraise artworks by Joan Mitchell. For appraisals, we recommend referring to member directories of the following organizations: American Society of Appraisers, Appraisers Association of America, and International Society of Appraisers.

Please direct other inquiries to Laura Morris, Director of Archives & Research.

Make an Inquiry

Joan Mitchell transformed the gestural painterliness of Abstract Expressionism into a vocabulary so completely her own that it could become ours as well.”

Klaus Kertess

Two large abstract yellow and blue paintings by Joan Mitchell hang in a large gallery space with concrete floors and walls

Catalogue Raisonné

The Joan Mitchell Catalogue Raisonné project was established in 2015 in order to research Joan Mitchell’s paintings and to result in the eventual publication of a catalogue raisonné. This long-term research project will result in a scholarly, multi-volume book documenting all of the artist’s painted work.

Catalogue Raisonné

Untitled, circa 1950, abstract painting by artist Joan Mitchell — Joan Mitchell, *Untitled*, circa 1950. Oil on canvas, 52 1/2 x 54 5/8 inches (133.35 x 138.748 cm). © Estate of Joan Mitchell.

Copyright & Reproduction Requests

The Foundation administers copyright permissions for all artworks and written works by Joan Mitchell. All reproduction requests must be submitted through our online form.

Rights & Reproductions