Archives of American Art

Michel N. Benisovich research material

Summary

Collection ID:
AAA.benimich
Creators:
Benisovich, Michel N., 1891-1963
Dates:
1901-1963
Languages:
Many of the letters are in French and German.
Physical Description:
3 Linear feet
(partially microfilmed on 1 reel)
Repository:

Scope and Contents

Scope and Contents
Letters, photographs, writings and notes.
Scope and Contents
REEL D10: A memoir of Francis Martin Drexel, said to have been written for his children, ca. 1830. He writes of his youth, going from town to town in Italy, Switzerland, and Austria, and of Paris, to find work painting coaches, portraits, etc. He details his emigration to the U.S. leaving Amsterdam on the JOHN OF BALTIMORE, with much about the contract between Captain Richards and passengers, reneging, dishonesty of fellow passenger Mr. Bayer, and his early years in Philadelphia.
Scope and Contents
UNMICROFILMED: Research material mainly on 18th c. French artists, including correspondence, notes, transcripts, articles, photographs, etc., ca. 1948-1963, about or arising from Benisovich's research into the lives and work of Jacques Louis David, Jean Etienne Liotard (incl. typescript of a biography), Frans Post, Nicolas Antoine Taunay (incl. typescript of biography and catalogue), Adolph Ulrich Wertmuller, Francisco de Miranda, Francis Martin Drexel, et al. His correspondence was mostly with editors, scholars, and museum and library staff. Some letters related to sales of art, others to personal matters.

Biographical / Historical

Biographical / Historical
Art historian; New York, N.Y. Benisovich came to the U.S. from Russia and studied at N.Y.U. A member of the College Art Association, he wrote N.A. TAUNAY, 1753-1830, UNDERCURRENTS IN FRENCH PAINTING.

Administration

Existence and Location of Copies
35mm microfilm reel D10 available at Archives of American Art offices and through interlibrary loan.
Reproduction Note
Drexel's memoir is a typecript.
Existence and Location of Originals
Original copy of Drexel's memoir is in the possession of John D. Laukenau.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Katherine Drexel Penrose typed Francis Martin Drexel's memoir from the original in 1901.

Using the Collection

Conditions Governing Access
Use of original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C., Research Center. Microfilmed materials must be consulted on microfilm. Contact Reference Services for more information.

Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Painting, French Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Art historians Occupation Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Painters Occupation Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Drexel, Francis Martin, 1792-1863 Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

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