The Morris W. Primoff papers relating to Thomas Hart Benton measures 0.01 linear feet and date from 1950 to 1978. The papers primarily consist of correspondence between attorney Morris W. Primoff (1899-1986) and New York-based painter and muralist Thomas Hart Benton (1889-1975). Correspondence includes letters, 1950-1965, between Benton and Morris W. Primoff of Primoff & Primoff, Counselors at Law. Letters concern the "Lewis family" gift of Benton's painting "Island Farm" to Morris W. Primoff; a Benton exhibition at the Gerst Gallery in New York; tax laws concnerning unsold works of art in artists' estates; a proposed book on Benton by Crown Publishers, Inc.; and Benton's expedition up the Missouri River following the trail of Lewis and Clark. Also included are a letter from Benton's wife Rita to Polly and Murray (Morris) Primoff thanking them for attending Benton's exhibition opening in New Britain, 1954; and a letter from Polly Burroughs concerning a book on Benton, 1978. Printed material includes the catalog "Thomas Hart Benton: A Giant in American Art"(1962) and newspaper clippings.
Scope and Contents:
The Morris W. Primoff papers relating to Thomas Hart Benton measures 0.01 linear feet and date from 1950 to 1978. The papers primarily consist of correspondence between attorney Morris W. Primoff (1899-1986) and New York-based painter and muralist Thomas Hart Benton (1889-1975). Correspondence includes letters, 1950-1965, between Benton and Morris W. Primoff of Primoff & Primoff, Counselors at Law. Letters concern the "Lewis family" gift of Benton's painting "Island Farm" to Morris W. Primoff; a Benton exhibition at the Gerst Gallery in New York; tax laws concnerning unsold works of art in artists' estates; a proposed book on Benton by Crown Publishers, Inc.; and Benton's expedition up the Missouri River following the trail of Lewis and Clark. Also included are a letter from Benton's wife Rita to Polly and Murray (Morris) Primoff thanking them for attending Benton's exhibition opening in New Britain, 1954; and a letter from Polly Burroughs concerning a book on Benton, 1978. Printed material includes the catalog "Thomas Hart Benton: A Giant in American Art"(1962) and newspaper clippings.
Arrangement:
Due to the small size of this collection the papers are arranged as one series.
Series 1: Morris W. Primoff papers relating to Thomas Hart Benton, 1950-1978 (Folder 1; 20 items)
Biographical / Historical:
Morris W. Primoff (1899-1986) was a New York attorney. Thomas H. Benton (1889-1975) was a painter, mural painter based in New York, N.Y.
Provenance:
The Morris W. Primoff papers relating to Thomas Hart Benton were donated to the Archives of American Art in 2006 by Barbara and L. Robert Primoff, daughter-in-law and son of Morris W. Primoff.
Restrictions:
Use of original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C., Research Center. Contact Reference Services for more information.
Rights:
The Archives of American Art makes its archival collections available for non-commercial, educational and personal use unless restricted by copyright and/or donor restrictions, including but not limited to access and publication restrictions. AAA makes no representations concerning rights and restrictions and it is the user's responsibility to determine whether rights or restrictions exist and to obtain any necessary permission to access, use, reproduce and publish the collections. Please refer to the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for additional information.
Occupation:
Lawyers -- New York (State) -- New York Search this
Topic:
Art -- Collectors and collecting -- New York (State) -- New York Search this
Citation:
Morris W. Primoff papers relating to Thomas Hart Benton, 1950-1978. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.
Letters to Moritz and Sophie Jagendorf from artists including 111 letters from Stanton MacDonald-Wright, 1917-1969; four letters from Carlo De Fornaro, 1937-1938; three letters each from Joseph Stella, 1934-1938, Manuel Tolgian, 1935-1938; two letters each from Rita Benton, 1960-1963, Walter Starkie, 1968, Max Weber, 1930-1932 and Willard Wright (Stanton's brother), 1917; one letter each from M. L. Becker, (possibly May Lamberton Becker), undated, Thomas Hart Benton, 1933, Ralph Steele Boggs, 1966, Bertram Hartman, 1930, Pete Seeger, 1967. Also included are photocopies of several letters from William and Marguerite Zorach and their daughter Dahlov Ipcar, 1965-1967. The letters concern exhibitions, museums, galleries, works of art and other artists.
Biographical / Historical:
Moritz Jagendorf (1888-1981) was a dentist who treated artists in New York, New York. Clients included Joseph Stella, Stanton MacDonald-Wright, William and Marguerite Zorach, Thomas Hart Benton, among others. Jagendorf became friendly with the artists and bought their artwork or received it in lieu of dental bills.
Provenance:
Donated 2016 by Andre Jagendorf, Moritz and Sophie Jagendorf's son.
Restrictions:
Use of original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C., Research Center.
Occupation:
Artists -- New York (State) -- New York Search this
Dentists -- New York (State) -- New York Search this
Topic:
Art -- Collectors and collecting -- New York (State) -- New York Search this
Tolegian, Manuel J. (Manuel Jerair), 1911-1983 Search this
Extent:
1 Item ((on 1 microfilm reel))
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Date:
[ca. 1935]
Scope and Contents:
A letter to Rita [Benton], n.d., saying that he painted a "pretty good plate" that cracked in the fire, and that he will make and send another. He mentions Christmas dinner and wishes a happy New Year. He adds that Tolegian just painted "the best thing he ever did- a moon scene with stars."
Biographical / Historical:
Painter; New York, N.Y.
Provenance:
Donor is unspecified.
Restrictions:
Use of original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C., Research Center. Microfilmed materials must be consulted on microfilm. Contact Reference Services for more information.
Occupation:
Painters -- New York (State) -- New York Search this
Topic:
Painting, Modern -- 20th century -- New York (State) -- New York Search this
