Jean E. Wolfe ophthalmological illustrations

Collection — Box: 1

Identifier: MSS 479

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of medical illustrations by artist Jean E. Wolfe. These illustrations were created for Chapter 7, "Cataract surgery" of Clinical Ophthalmology, edited by Thomas Duane, as well as for other, unidentified publications.

The majority of the illustrations are matted and mounted, likely for a previous exhibition of Wolfe’s work.

Dates

Creation: 1970s

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Some restrictions may apply. Please fill out the Collections Request form to request reproductions of materials and for authorization to publish or reproduce material.

Biographical / Historical

See more See less

Jean Elizabeth Wolfe was born October 3, 1925 in Newark, New Jersey. She graduated from Russell Sage College with a degree in physical education in 1947 and worked as an instructor at Brown University. From 1950 to 1952 she was the head of the physical education department at the Kimberley School, a private girls’ school in Montclair, New Jersey. Though she enjoyed teaching physical education, Wolfe wanted to earn a living as an artist. She attended the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry and earned her degree in medical art in 1955. Wolfe worked at the Scheie Eye Institute at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine from 1960 to 1985 as an instructor of medical art and specialized in ophthalmology. In 1965 she curated and published a brochure on her ophthalmological illustrations entitled "Highlights of Surgery."

As a self-described "mid-century gentleman butch," Wolfe's relationships with women were tumultuous, and she felt alone towards the end of her life. She was diagnosed with various medical conditions, including severe depression, alcoholism, and addiction to prescription drugs. After leaving the Scheie Eye Institute, she struggled to make a living. Jean Wolfe died on May 7, 1997.