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Series 13: Art and Artifacts, 1899-1963

 Series

  • Staff Only

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

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

Contact:
60 West Walton Street
Chicago Illinois 60610 United States
312-255-3512