Carl Zigrosser, Print Curator

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Zigrosser by Paone
Peter Paone, Homage to C. Zigrosser, Etching, 1963 Published by The Print Center

In 1941 Carl Zigrosser was appointed as the first Curator of Prints, Drawings and Rare Books at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, a position he held until 1963. Under Zigrosser’s direction, the collection grew dramatically and came to include a number of important gifts ranging from a group of Watteau engravings from Lessing J. Rosenwald to Alfred Stieglitz’ collection of photographs. Zigrosser had a long and close relationship with The Print Center, serving as a Board member, speaking regularly, jurying exhibitions and building The Print Club Permanent Collection at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Since his tenure, a curator from the museum’s Department of Prints, Drawings & Photographs has regularly served on the Board of Governors.