From the time he was in his early 20’s, Arthur Lee carried a picket notebook with him, in which he kept a daily journal of his life over fifty years. He wrote of his observations and feelings about love, art, nature, relationships, travel, business, philosophy, religion, politics, and health. He wrote of his passion for art, and his struggles to be the best artist that ever lived. He shared his observations about other artists’ works, including Michelangelo, Picasso, Durer, Rembrandt, Myron. His life was an artistic journey, and his notebooks are a chronology of his life and artistic wanderings.
All of Arthur Lee’s notebooks, along with a collection of photos, sketches and writings were donated by Arthur Lee’s estate to the Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library at Yale University. Before delivering the notebooks to Yale, Arthur Lee’s grandson, Robin Lee, photographed every page of each notebook, to create a digital record for the Arthur Lee Foundation.
The notebooks are available for viewing, upon request.
Please send your request to Robinlee1959@mac.com