Nellie M. Gebers papers

Collection

Identifier: IWA0189

Staff Only
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Scope and Contents

The Nellie M. Gebers papers date from 1991 to 1995 and measure 1 linear inch. The bulk of the collection is an autobiography originally written in longhand by Gebers towards the end of her life and typed and edited by her son Don Gebers. The rest of the collection consists of an essay about old age and living in a nursing home, correspondence with the M. H. de Young Memorial Museum in San Francisco about Grant Wood, and an instructional guide on Gebers' process for the encaustic painting method.

Dates

Creation: 1991-1995

Creator

Gebers, Nellie M., 1901-1995 (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

The papers are open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright to portions of the collection has been transferred to the University of Iowa. Copyright to "They Called Her Ned" has been retained by the editor, Don Gebers: researchers may quote from it but anyone wishing to publish the entire manuscript must receive permission from Don Gebers.

However, copyright status for some collection materials may be unknown. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owner. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility and potential liability based on copyright infringement for any use rests exclusively and solely with the user. Users must properly acknowledge the Iowa Women’s Archives, The University of Iowa Libraries, as the source of the material. For further information, visit https://www.lib.uiowa.edu/sc/services/rights/

Biographical / Historical

Nellie M. Castor Gebers, artist, writer and teacher, was born on October 26, 1901 in Ira, Iowa. Gebers was a student of Grant Wood's and was said to have suggested the idea for Wood's 1934 painting, "Dinner for Threshers." In 1959 Gebers and her family moved to California. While in Iowa and California, Gebers taught painting in the public schools, in community adult education classes and in her own studio. She painted and taught all during her adult life until failing eyesight and health caused her to retire. Gebers died in Mountain View, California, in 1995.