Through the generosity of the late Bena Mayer, a painter and the widow of Ralph Mayer, author of The Artist’s Handbook of Techniques and Materials, The Painter’s Craft, and A Dictionary of Art Terms and Techniques, archives related to her husband’s research and writings have been given to the Yale School of Art for the establishment of the Ralph Mayer Learning Center. The purpose of the center is to support research and writing on the use of materials and for the study of artists’ techniques in the field of drawing and painting. A course on materials and techniques, part of the curriculum of the Yale School of Art for more than fifty years, is augmented by the center.

Original Mayer manuscripts and memorabilia are included in the collection of the Haas Family Arts Library and are available on a noncirculating basis to members of the Yale community and the public. The School offers to answer in writing inquiries regarding the use of artists’ materials. Requests for information about this service should be addressed to artschool.info@yale.edu.