Cassette tape of oral interview, August 1962

This collection documents Franz de Merlier’s life and career as an artist and teacher between 1898 and 1972. This collection notably contains 130 pages of handwritten, autobiographical notes by Franz de Merlier compiled by his son Edouard, a cassette tape of an oral interview between Edouard and Franz de Merlier, as well as slides and photographs of the artist, his artworks, and his students. Series one documents pieces of de Merlier’s life and career as arranged by his family. Series two through three documents de Merlier’s life as he wanted to be remembered, as well as a peek into the mind of an artist drawn to the Brandywine River Valley.

The Franz de Merlier Collection supports works held within the Brandywine Museum of Art’s fine arts collection, donated by the West Chester Area School District, and de Merlier’s wife, Marie Rose de Merlier.