IC-05: Eric C. L. Aerts Photograph Collection

Collection — Box: IC-05

Identifier: IC-05

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The collection consists of fifty-three vintage prints taken by Eric C.L. Aerts in the 1970s and one issue of Life (magazine) that includes a Willowbrook State School image taken by Aerts. No information is available about specific dates, locations, individuals depicted, or whether the artist processed the prints in the collection, most of which are in 8 x 10 inch format (eight measure 11 x 14 inches). Furthermore, no information is available about use/exhibition of the images by the creator. In general, locations include New York City and specifically, the Willowbrook State School and other scenes on Staten Island.

Dates

Majority of material found within 1972 - 1979

Conditions Governing Use

Materials can be consulted for research. Any use to which copyright is applicable needs to be negotiated with donor/donor's representative.

Biographical / Historical

Eric C. L. Aerts was married to journalist Jane Kurtin, who wrote a series of articles for the The Staten Island Advance in 1971 about the Willowbrook State School. Aerts photographed conditions there and one of his photos was published in Life(magazine) February 4, 1972.

In the 1980s he and Kurtin operated a Belgian restaurant in Staten Island’s St. George neighborhood named La Fosse aux Loups.

After his divorce from Kurtin, he pursued his interest in painting, eventually relocating to the small coastal village of Saint-Julien in Brittany, France. His works include portraits, landscapes, and still life.

Extent

53 Photographic Prints (1 flat file box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

This image collection consists of 53 vintage photographic prints of work by Eric C. L. Aerts created in the 1970s depicting residents of the Willowbrook State School and Staten Island, as well as other New York City scenes, mostly public protests.

Arrangement

Arranged in broad, alphabetically arranged subject categories (Manhattan, New York City; Public Protest, New York City; Staten Island, New York City; Willowbrook State School, Staten Island, New York City) and then alphabetically by image description.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Donated by creator, Eric C.L. Aerts through his son Eric Aerts 3/30/3021.

Subjects

Sailors’ Snug Harbor (Institution) Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Willowbrook State School Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings