86 sketches by Benedict Hess, 17 by Elisa Hess, 4 by William Hess, 1 by Abraham Hess, and a photograph of the Albert Hess Gilding Shop, Fairview, New Jersey. Also included are correspondence and a diary, 1860-1863, of William Hess written while serving in the Civil War; and genealogical material about the family.
Biographical / Historical:
Hess family was originally from Germany and Paris. Benedict Hess was the first to come to the U.S., and was a landscape and portrait painter. His wife, Elisa, was a voice teacher and painted still lifes. Their children also painted a little. The family ran a small art school.
Provenance:
The lender, Winifred Hess Manzer, is the daughter of Albert Hess.
Restrictions:
The Archives of American art does not own the original papers. Use is limited to the microfilm copy.
