Rihoko Ueno
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.
Language
English
Immediate Source of Acquisition
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.
Processing Information
The collection was processed, and a finding aid prepared by Rihoko Ueno in 2023.