Duane Hanson papers, 1935-2006

Scattered biographical materials include resumes, an exhibition guestbook spanning the years 1978-1994, and xerox copies of original geneological documents. Also found here are four videos, mostly of Hanson's television appearances and exhibitions.

This series has been minimally processed. Audio visual materials have been rehoused if needed, but have not been viewed or described.

Personal business records include address books, legal documents, consent forms, copyright information, recepits for freight, invoices, and expense records, a list of works in the Duane Hanson Collection, the Fort Lauderdale Museum Board records, and records relating to donations and loans. Of note are reports of damage and repairs made to Hanson's sculptures. Also found are letters of recommendation written by Hanson for others.

The majority of correspondence consists of letters to Hanson, however there are scattered drafts of responses. There are circa 20 folders of personal correspondence. Professional correspondence discusses specific works of art, exhibitions, and Hanson's activities at local schools, museums, and universities. There are a significant number of letters from Harry Abrams, Martin Bush, Cranbrook, Fort Lauderdale Museum of Art, Frederick R. Weisman Co., O. K. Harris Gallery and Ivan Karp, Helander Gallery, Norton Gallery, and Hannes Von Gosselin. There is also correspondence about events, exhibitions, and travel.

Personal correspondence is arranged chronologically. Professional correspondence is arranged alphabetically by either name of correspondent, or by topic. For the most part Hanson's original file order and folder titles have been maintained. Generally, items within the folders have not been further arranged into chronological order.

Generally, subject files consist of printed materials and scattered correspondence or business records relating to specific exhibitions, prizes or awards, and projects. Also found are files regarding supplies used by Hanson for his sculptures, including artificial eyes, hair, and other materials.

The arrangement of these files into a separate series follows Hanson's original order. Original folder titles have also been maintained. Researchers should note that this is some overlap between the subject files and the correspondence files.

There are scattered writings and notes by and about Duane Hanson. Of particular interest are his personal statements on works and exhibitions.

There is one sketchbook, loose sketches, and a pencil covered in paint.

Printed materials include newspaper and magazine clippings, and various exhibition announcements and catalogs. There is a file of critical reviews from Worpswede, Germany for Hanson's first exhibition in that country.

There are photographs of Duane Hanson and his father Dewey, and of works of art, as well as slides.