Series 13: Art and Artifacts, 1899-1963
Scope and Contents note
Paintings, prints, sketches, sculpture, and three-dimensional objects belonging to the Hecht family. Artworks are drawings by Ben Hecht as well as art collected and displayed in his homes. Many of the portraits that were originally framed and displayed are of famous artists, writers, great thinkers, and historic figures Hecht admired. Some of the artworks are by friends and collaborators of Hecht's, including Georg Grosz and Herman Rosse (who painted a backdrop for Jenny, possibly for play-acting or puppet plays). Yet others are gifts (such as David Selznick's portrait by Don Bachardy, inscribed to Hecht) or commissions (such as portraits of Jenny Hecht by Lawrence Beall Smith and Stanley Parke) Artifacts include the "Oscar" statuette Hecht won for best original screenplay for Underworld, presented to Hecht in 1929, as well as many of his writing utensils, pipes, glasses, and other personal effects.
Dates
- Creation: 1899-1963
Creator
- From the Collection: Hecht, Ben, 1894-1964 (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
The Ben Hecht papers are open for research in the Special Collections Reading Room; 5 folders at a time maximum (Priority II).
Arrangement note
Arranged by size and type of material. Three-dimensional objects and framed works of art are assigned Newberry Library Artifact numbers, listed by item below (e.g. NL 1106), and registered in the Newberry Library's Artifact Register. Oversize art is shelved at the end of the series.
Repository Details
Part of the The Newberry Library - Modern Manuscripts and Archives Repository
60 West Walton Street
Chicago Illinois 60610 United States
312-255-3512
reference@newberry.org