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Michael Zimmer Photograph Collection

 Collection
Identifier: P1043

Scope and Contents

The Michael Zimmer Photograph Collection contains two photographs of Michael Zimmer, an artist who died of AIDS at the age of 33. One photograph, taken when Zimmer was 31, shows him posed next to a piece of his art while at the Kansas City Art Institute. The second photograph, taken when Zimmer was 33, shows him using a wheelchair at a gay pride event in Washington, D. C. The photographs show Zimmer's rapid deterioration after his AIDS diagnosis.

Dates

  • 1991-1993

Conditions Governing Access

No viewing restrictions.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright restrictions may apply. Copyrights held by the donor were transferred to MHS upon donation. The user assumes full responsibility for conforming to the laws of copyright.

Biographical / Historical

Michael Zimmer (1960-1993) was an artist who died of AIDS at the age of 33. He received a BFA from the Kansas City Art Institute in 1986, and did post-graduate work at the San Francisco Art Institute. As Michael grew sick, he devoted his remaining time to finishing as much artwork as possible. As Michael's father, Robert Zimmer, wrote "through devotion to his work he was able to endure the suffering and humiliation associated with this disease." [Quote from a brief biography written by Robert Zimmer and now filed in the Item Hisory File at the Missouri Historical Society.]

Extent

0.02 Cubic Feet ( (1 folders; 2 photographs))

Language of Materials

English

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

No physical or technical restrictions.

Custodial History

Photographs were held by the Zimmer family prior to donation.

Donor Information

Collection donated by John Joseph Zimmer, 2020.

Existence and Location of Copies

Digital copies and item-level records of select images are posted as they are created and can be accessed through the Online Collections on the Missouri Historical Society website (mohistory.org/collections).

Digitized images are generated from the original item whenever possible and files are adjusted only to ensure an accurate representation. Master files are saved in TIF format and JPEG viewing files are automatically generated from the master files.

Separated Materials

  • 2020-086-0001: Untitled Mixed Media Piece by Michael David Zimmer
  • Biographical information filed in the Item History File.
  • Formats

    Photographs

    Processing Information

    Processed by Lauren Sallwasser, 2021.

    Title
    Guide to the Michael Zimmer Photograph Collection.
    Status
    Completed
    Author
    EAD by Lauren Sallwasser using ArchivesSpace.
    Date
    2021
    Description rules
    Describing Archives: A Content Standard
    Language of description
    English
    Script of description
    Latin

    Repository Details

    Part of the Missouri Historical Society, Photographs and Prints Department Repository

    Contact:
    Library and Research Center
    225 South Skinker Boulevard
    St. Louis MO 63105