Caroline and Erwin Swann Foundation for Caricature
and Cartoon
About the Foundation
New York advertising executive Erwin Swann (1906-1973) established the
Swann Foundation for Caricature and Cartoon in 1967. An avid collector,
Swann assembled a large group of original drawings by four hundred artists,
spanning two centuries, which his estate bequeathed to the Library of Congress
in two installments in 1974 and 1977. Mr. Swann's original purpose was
to compile a collection of original drawings by significant humorous and
satiric artists, and to encourage the study of original cartoon and caricature
drawings as works of art. The stress on original works serves two purposes:
to preserve work that is too often lost or casually destroyed and to afford
the opportunity to judge draftsmanship, subtlety of line and wash in the
artist's original work instead of the reproduction which, while retaining
its message, loses graphic quality.
The Caroline and Erwin Swann Collection of Caricature and Cartoon, is
now preserved within in the Prints
and Photographs Division, Library of Congress, 101 Independence Avenue,
S.E., Washington, D.C. 20540-4730. These drawings are frequently placed
on exhibition at the Library of Congress and in museums and galleries throughout
the world. The collection is particularly strong in American work, but
there is substantial representation of British, French and German artists,
as well.
The Foundation's support of research and academic publication is carried
out in part through a program of fellowships. Applicants are invited to write to the Foundation,
with a statement of qualifications, needs and a budget. These grants are
intended to assist ongoing research and writing projects in the specific
areas of interest to the Foundation.
The Foundation, now administered by the Library of Congress, is overseen
by an advisory board composed of scholars, collectors, cartoonists, and
Library of Congress staff members. Its activities support the study, interpretation,
preservation and appreciation of original works of humorous and satiric
art by graphic artists from around the world.
Fellowship Guidelines and Applications
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