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  2. Biesel family papers, circa 1859-1983
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Biesel family papers, circa 1859-1983

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Select containers from the following list if you want to request them for reading room use or reproduction

Series 1: Biographical Material , circa 1949-1961
2 Folders
Box 1

Biographical materials contains biographical summaries for both Frances and Fred Biesel as well as a certificate and accompanying speech written by Harold Haydon awarding Frances the 1961 Artist Equity Citation Award from the Chicago chapter of the Artist Equity Association.
Description Container Select
Fred and Frances Biesel Biographical Summaries, circa 1949
1
1
Artist Equity Citation Award Certificate and Speech by Harold Haydon, 1961
1
2
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Series 2: Correspondence , circa 1927-1963
0.1 Linear feet
Box 1

Correspondence contains respective letters to Frances and Fred Biesel regarding exhibiting artwork, project consultation, club membership and speaking engagements. Also found are personal correspondence and holiday cards to the Biesels. Correspondence is arranged chronologically by Biesel family member.
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Fred Biesel Correspondence, 1931-1953
1
3
Frances Biesel Correspondence, 1933-1949
1
4
Frances Biesel Correspondence, 1950-1953
1
5
Frances Biesel Correspondence, 1956-1959
1
6
Frances Biesel Correspondence, 1954-1955
1
7
Frances Biesel Correspondence, 1960-1963
1
8
Miscellaneous Correspondence to Fred and Frances Biesel, circa 1956
1
9
Holiday Greeting Cards, circa 1927-1958
1
10
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Series 3: Writings , circa 1921-1960
0.1 Linear feet
Box 1

The Writing series contains a notebook with addresses and price list notes; lecture notes and essay drafts by Fred Biesel on printmaking and art movements such as modernism and cubism, as well as essay typescripts and lectures by others. Also found is a short story about a meeting with Charles Biesel.
Description Container Select
Frances Biesel, Notebook, 1931-1934
1
11
Frances Biesel, Event Planning Guest and Contact Lists, circa 1921-1925
1
12
Morgan Park Women's Club Speech Notes, circa 1960
1
13
Fred Biesel Lecture Notes, circa 1945-1957
1
14
Fred Biesel Essay Drafts, circa 1945-1953
1
15
"An Appointment With Charles", Short Story, 1953
1
16
American Art Today Essay by Walet Pach, circa 1939-1946
1
17
Aaron Bohrod Lecture, 1945
1
18
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Series 4: Professional Files , circa 1939-1962
0.5 Linear feet
Box 1

Professional Files contain correspondence, funding proposals, business records and other materials related to the Biesel's management and participation in various organizations and projects such as The Renaissance Society and Artist Union Chicago in Frances Biesel's case and Fred Biesel's involvement with the WPA's Federal Art Project's Illinois chapter, as well as his time as an art professor.
Description Container Select
Work Progress Administration Federal Arts Project
Professional Correspondence, 1941-1945
1
19
Project Funding Proposals, circa 1940
1
20
Museum Program Outline, circa 1939
1
21
Illinois Art and Craft Services Program Proposal and District Plan Outlines, circa 1940
1
22
Summary of Recommendations and Reductions for Illinois Art and Craft Project, circa 1940-1942
1
23
Illinois Art and Craft Program Operation's Manual, circa 1940
1
24
Conference and Exhibition Documents, 1941-1942
1
25
Travel Statements and Reimbursement Forms, 1942-1943
1
26
Art Project Order Receipts, 1943
1
27
New Hampshire Art and Craft Program Conference Speech and Lecture by Holger Cahill, circa 1939-1941
1
28
Radio Interview Transcript with Inez Cunningham Stark and George Keck, 1939
1
29
Miscellaneous Illinois Chapter Documents, 1941-1942
1
30
Renaissance Society
Correspondence, circa 1941-1962
1
31-32
Administrative Records, 1945-1957
1
33
Business Records, 1955-1961
1
34
Exhibition Materials, 1948-1959
1
35-36
Artist Equity Association, circa 1951-1961
1
37
Artist Union of Chicago, Hyde Park Art Center, circa 1956
1
38
Chicago Society of Artists, circa 1956-1962
1
39
1020 Club, circa 1941
1
40
Fred Biesel, University of Chicago Course List and Description, 1953
1
41
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Series 5: Personal Business , circa 1928-1961
2 Folders
Box 1

Personal business contains Charles Biesel's estate records which detail the deeds related to his artwork. Also found are miscellaneous business records related to the Biesel family such as invoices and loan reciepts and financial notes.
Description Container Select
Charles Biesel Estate Lists, 1945
1
42
Miscellaneous Personal Business, circa 1928-1961
1
43
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Series 6: Printed Material , circa 1897-1983
1.5 Linear feet
Box 1-3

Printed Material documents the Biesel family's artistic careers as well as professional affiliations such as Fred's involvement with the WPA Federal Art's Program and Frances' work with the Renaissance Society through exhibition catalogs, news clippings and miscellanea. Also found are clippings--primarily obituaries--discussing Charles Biesel's career and life.
Description Container Select
Exhibition Announcement and Catalogs, Biesel Family, circa 1921-1962
1
44--47
Exhibition Announcements and Catalogs, Other Artists, circa 1921-1983
2
1-11
Work Progress Administration Federal Art Project Catalogs, circa 1938-1942
2
12
Work Progress Administration Technical Series Art Circulars, 1940-1941
2
13
Miscellaneous, Work Progress Administration, 1934-1942
2
14
Renaissance Society Exhibition Announcements, circa 1936-1962
2
15-16
Renaissance Society Exhibition Catalog, 1949
2
17
Let the Artist Speak, Teachers' Broadcast Handbook, circa 1941
2
18
News Clippings, Biesel Family, circa 1922-1962
2
19
News Clippings, Works Progress Administration, 1935-1942
3
1
News Clippings, Miscellaneous, circa 1897-1962
3
2
Miscellaneous Printed Material, circa 1923-1962
3
3
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Series 7: Scrapbooks , 1915-1931
0.1 Linear feet
Box 3, OV 1

The Scrapbooks series consists of a scrapbook of newspaper clippings compiled by Charles Biesel and detached pages of a scrapbook containing clippings and exhibition announcements related to all of the Biesel family.
Description Container Select
Clippings Scrapbook, Charles Biesel, 1915-1916
3
4
Detached Scrapbook Pages, Clippings and Exhibition Announcements, 1926-1931
5
1
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Series 8: Photographic Material , circa 1919-1960
0.3 Linear feet
Box 3

Photographic material includes photographs of the Biesel family, membership photographs of Artist Equity Association and artwork they created. Also included are scattered negatives, a photo album of Fred Biesel's artwork as well as a few photographs of a Federal Art Project mural featuring a caricature of Fred Biesel.
Description Container Select
Photographs of Biesel Family, circa 1919-1960
3
5
Photographs of Friends, 1928-1936
3
6
Photographs of Artist Equity Association, 1947-1948
3
7
Photographs of Fred Biesel with Students, circa 1920, 1950
3
8
Photographs of Art Exhibitions, circa 1927-1943
3
9
Photo Album of Fred Biesel Paintings, circa 1929
3
10
Photographs of Works of Art, circa 1924-1943
3
11
57th St. Art Colony, WPA Mural by Albert Pearson Photograph and Negative, circa 1935-1943
3
12
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Series 9: Artwork , circa 1876-1945
0.4 Linear feet
Box 4

Artwork contains woodblock prints, etchings, drawings, paintings, two screenprinted posters and sketchbooks by Fred and Frances Biesel. Also included is a sketchbook by William Trost Richards and miscellaneous drawings by others.
Description Container Select
Woodblock Prints and Etchings, circa 1930
4
1
Christmas Card Drawings and Paintings, circa 1926-1945
4
2
Figure Drawings by Fred and Frances Biesel, circa 1907-1919
4
3
Sketches and Paintings, circa 1919
4
4
Screen Printed Posters, circa 1907-1930
4
5
Sketchbooks, Charles Biesel, circa 1907-1919
4
6
Sketchbooks, Biesels, circa 1907-1919
4
7-8
Sketchbook, William Trost Richards, 1876-1878
4
9
Miscellaneous Artwork by Others, circa 1925-1930
4
10

Make a Request

  • To request an appointment to view materials, make your selections using the checkboxes and click the "Reading Room" button. Please note, you will receive the full box.
  • To request reproductions, make your selections using the checkboxes and click the "Reproduction" button.