%xmlchars; ]> ms2138 Guide to the Johannes Adam Simon Oertel papers, 1856-1909 Special Collections Research Center, The George Washington University Special Collections Research Center, The Gelman Library, The George Washington University 2005

2130 H. St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20052 Phone: 202-994-7549 Email: speccoll@gwu.edu

Machine-readable finding aid derived from Re:discovery database program and converted into xml; Code template by Archives and Information Associates (http://archivesandinformation.com), Alexandria, Virginia . 2005 Finding aid written in English Guide to the Johannes Adam Simon Oertel Papers, 1856-1909 MS2138 Special Collections Research Center, The Gelman Library, The George Washington University

Washington, D.C.

Processed by: Special Collections Staff, 2006 Encoded by: Jennifer King, 2006

Descriptive Summary Oertel, Johannes Adam Simon Johannes Adam Simon Oertel papers, 1856-1909 MS2138 0.5 Linear feet Johannes Adam Simon Oertel (1823-1909) an artist and Episcopal clergyman spend the last eighteen years of his life near Washington, D.C. painting and serving as assistant rector of the Church of the Incarnation, Washington, D.C. He had a studio in the Corcoran Building in Washington. He usually painted religious subjects. Collection contains a diary, newspaper articles, poems, letters, and images. The material dates from 1867-1909. The George Washington University, The Gelman Library, Special Collections Research Center

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English Information for Users Preferred citation

Johannes Adam Simon Oertel papers, Special Collections Research Center, The George Washington University.

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Historical or Biographical Note

Johannes Adam Simon Oertel (1823-1909) an artist and Episcopal clergyman spend the last eighteen years of his life near Washington, D.C. painting and serving as assistant rector of the Church of the Incarnation, Washington, D.C. He had a studio in the Corcoran Building in Washington. He usually painted religious subjects.

Born in Bavaria, Oertel spent his early years studying with a Lutheran clergyman and also studied art in Munich with engraver J. M. Enzing-Muller. After moving to Newark, N.J. in 1848, he spent the next forty-four years working as a drawing instructor, painter, and rector. One of these drawing jobs was as an instructor of fine arts at Washington Univeristy. He always looked upon religious art as his chief vocation, and his paintings and ecclesiastical wood carving were his principal means of support. His work is held by the University of the South, Washington Cathedral, and the National Gallery at Washington.

Collection Scope and Content

This collection contains a diary, newspaper articles, poems, letters, and images. The material dates from 1867-1909. The 319 p. holograph diary, dated February 25, 1883-September 14, 1898, titled: "In the most holy name, Amen : journal of Johannes A. Oertel" concerns Oertel and his family in Orange Spring, Fla., Washington, D.C. (1883-1886), Sewanee, Tenn. (at the University of the South), Nashville, Tenn., St. Louis, Mo., Vienna, Va., and Bel Air, Md. Topics include: money problems, fortunes of his two sons and daughter, his ill health, religious reflections, work on art works, particularly the first two of his series of four paintings on the redemption of mankind. Mentions clergymen and other prominent figures of the day, some of which are listed below. Other items are newspaper clippings, photographs, and letters; and a little 12 page notebook of German poems by Oertel.

Collection Organization

Organized into one series.

Subject Terms Individuals Oertel, Fred Oertel, Johannes Adam Simon Oertel, Julia Adelaide Torrey Corcoran, W. W. (William Wilson) Lanman, Charles Looker, Thomas Henry Quintard, C. T. (Charles Todd) Whitelock, Louise Clarkson Atkinson, Thomas Corporate Entities University of the South Topics Artists Clergy Social life and customs Description and travel Johannes Adam Simon Oertel papers Geographic Locations Washington (D.C.) Detailed Description of the Records MS2138 Series 1 Papers, 1867-1909

This series contains a diary, newspaper articles, poems, letters, and photographs. The material dates from 1867-1909. The 319 p. holograph diary, dated February 25, 1883-September 14, 1898, titled: "In the most holy name, Amen : journal of Johannes A. Oertel" concerns Oertel and his family in Orange Spring, Fla., Washington, D.C. (1883-1886), Sewanee, Tenn. (at the University of the South), Nashville, Tenn., St. Louis, Mo., Vienna, Va., and Bel Air, Md. Topics include: money problems, fortunes of his two sons and daughter, his ill health, religious reflections, work on art works, particularly the first two of his series of four paintings on the redemption of mankind. Mentions clergymen and other prominent figures of the day, some of which are listed below. Other items are newspaper clippings, photographs, and letters; and a little 12 page notebook of German poems by Oertel.

1 1 Diary, 02/25/1883-09/14/1998

Title of the diary is "In the most holy name, Amen: journal of Johannes A. Oertel"

1 2 Photographs, undated

Three images. One of the images is identified as E.[C]. Greene

1 3 Letters and postcards, 1856-05/1909

1 4 Miscellaneous, undated

This folder includes a small sketch, little pieces of paper with handwritten notes, and "A Description of the Person of Jesus Christ."

1 5 Newspaper clippings, undated

Most clippings are not dated.

1 6 Poems, undated

1 7 Sermons, 1858-1907

1 8 The S. Paul's Parish Record, 02/1887

Volume VI, No. 5 The Parish Record