Carl Magnusson Collection of Astrid Sampe Correspondence
Collection Scope
Eero Saarinen and Astrid Sampe had a personal relationship in the early 1950s, as documented in his correspondence to her. These letters show the interrelation of Eero’s personal and professional life and give insight into Eero’s mindset and work process. The letters are in English and Finnish (untranslated). These letters should be read in conjunction with the letters from the Astrid Sampe Collection of Eero Saarinen Correspondence (1995-87) and the Archives of American Art, Aline and Eero Saarinen Papers, 1857-1972 held at the Smithsonian Institution.
The most significant item in the collection is a drawing of the MIT Chapel from a “train letter’ in 1952. The drawing shows the interior and exterior of the chapel with a simulation of the water reflections from the moat surrounding the building into the building on the recto of the letter. On the verso, a beautiful perspective rendering shows the skylight streaming onto the altar. Another significant letter details Eero’s perspectives of psychotherapy, which he underwent in 1952.
Dates
- 1951 - 1956
Creator
- Saarinen, Eero, 1910-1961 (Person)
Access
Access to the collection is unrestricted.
Use
Permission to use collection materials must be requested in writing.
History
Astrid Sampe, born in Stockholm in 1909, was the third generation of a Swedish textile family. As an only child, a career within textiles was a natural choice. From 1928-1932, she attended the Higher Industrial Art School of Stockholm, during which time she had the opportunity to become an exchange student at the Royal Academy of Art in London. After her studies in 1935, Astrid was hired by Nordiska Kompaniet (NK) and in 1937, helped to set up the textile studio, soon being appointed as the head of NK’s Textile Chambers until it was closed down in 1971. She also took part in the Paris World Exhibition.
In 1939, Astrid took part in the New York World Exhibition; and in 1946, along with Elias Svedborg, she arranged the "Modern Swedish Home" exhibition at the London Building Centre. In 1949, Astrid Sampe was appointed "Royal Designer, Hon.RDI of the Royal Society of Arts and in 1951, wove the first fibreglass fabrics. Astrid Sampe travelled to Cranbrook for the first time in 1948 to visit Marianne Strengell. During this visit, she met Eero Saarinen. In 1950, she worked on several projects for Knoll with Florence and Hans Knoll and Eero Saarinen, often meeting them at the Knoll’s flat in Paris.
In 1979, Astrid Sampe began creating the first computer-based textile patterns produced in Sweden. Other professional affiliations have included Nordiska Co. (Stockholm), Donald Bros. (Dundee), and Knoll International Textile Section (New York).
Astrid Sampe died in 2002.
Extent
0.2 Linear Feet (1 MS)
Language of Materials
Finnish
English
Abstract
Astrid Sampe studied at the Higher Industrial Art School of Stockholm and as an exchange student at the Royal Academy of Art in London. Her career spanned many decades starting in 1935, and encompassed being head of Nordiska Kompaniet (NK), being appointed "Royal Designer, Hon.RDI of the Royal Society of Arts and, in 1951, wove the first fiberglass fabrics. Eero Saarinen and Astrid Sampe had a personal relationship in the early 1950s, as documented in his correspondence to her. These letters show the interrelation of Eero’s personal and professional life and give insight into Eero’s mindset and work process. These letters should be read in conjunction with the letters from the Astrid Sampe Collection of Eero Saarinen Correspondence (1995-87) and the Archives of American Art, Aline and Eero Saarinen Papers, 1857-1972 held at the Smithsonian Institution.
Arrangement
As this collection is small, no series or sub-series are indicated. The correspondence is organized chronologically, with undated material at the back. Photographs are contained in the collection.
Additional Access
An index to the collection is available.
Acquisition
Gift of Philip and Elayne Smith.
Transfers
Published articles have been removed to the Eero Saarinen’s E&M file.
Processing History
Cathy Price Moras, July 2009.
Creator
- Saarinen, Eero, 1910-1961 (Person)
- Title
- Guide to the Carl Magnusson Collection of Astrid Sampe Correspondence
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Cathy Price Moras
- Date
- July 2009
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Edition statement
- Resource record created by Laura MacNewman.
Repository Details
Part of the Cranbrook Archives, Cranbrook Center for Collections and Research Repository