University of California, Berkeley, University Art Museum Collection of Hans Hofmann Papers, 1929-1976

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Summary

Title:
University of California, Berkeley, University Art Museum collection of Hans Hofmann papers
Dates:
1929-1976
Creators:
University of California, Berkeley. University Art Museum.
Abstract:
The University Art Museum collection of Hans Hofmann papers contain materials relating to his career as a painter and art teacher, the bulk being exhibit catalogs and announcements, but also includes writings, lectures, speeches, notes, correspondence, clippings, papers relating to art classes taught by Hofmann, to the collection of Hofmann paintings donated to the University of California, Berkeley Art Museum and photographs both by and about Hofmann and his artwork.
Extent:
Number of containers: 1 box, 1 carton and 3 oversize folders Linear feet: 1.8
Language:
Collection materials are in English
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], University of California, Berkeley, University Art Museum Collection of Hans Hofmann Papers, BANC MSS 80/27 c, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.

Background

Scope and content:

The University Art Museum collection of Hans Hofmann papers contain materials relating to his career as a painter and art teacher, the bulk being exhibit catalogs and announcements, but also includes writings, lectures, speeches, notes, correspondence, clippings, papers relating to art classes taught by Hofmann, to the collection of Hofmann paintings donated to the University of California, Berkeley Art Museum and photographs both by and about Hofmann and his artwork.

There is a small amount of correspondence, most of which concerns Hofmann's gift of his paintings to the University Art Museum at the University of California, Berkeley. The outgoing letters are mostly written to Erle Loran, and the incoming letters written to Hofmann and others.

Hofmann's writings contain a photocopy of his typescript for Form und Farbe in der Gestaltung, with an English translation by Glenn A. Wessels, but also include a number of his lectures and speeches about his art. The bulk of the collection consists of numerous exhibition catalogs and announcements of one-man shows or exhibitions in which Hofmann was represented. Papers relating to art classes taught by Hofmann include a prospectus, announcement, and notes from his classes. Papers relating to the Hofmann collection at the University Art Museum include condition and restoration reports, catalog notes, book orders, and other notes and memoranda detailing arrangements for his gift and dedication of the Hofmann wing at the museum.

Papers written about Hofmann have been supplemented with miscellaneous biographical materials, clippings, and photographs, which have been retained in the collection.

Biographical / historical:

Hans Hofmann (1880-1966), an early 20th century artist, an Abstract Expressionist, from Bavaria, started teaching art classes during summer session at the University of California, Berkley, in 1930. In 1963 he donated forty-five paintings and $250,000 to the University of California on the condition that an art museum be built on campus. Today the Berkeley Art Museum's (or the University of California, Berkeley, University Art Museum) collection of work by Hofmann is the largest in any museum internationally.

For a detailed chronology on Hans Hofmann see the Estate of Hans Hofmann website:

http://www.hanshofmann.org/bio.htm

Acquisition information:
The University Art Museum collection of Hans Hofmann papers were transferred to The Bancroft Library by the University Art Museum on September 19, 1979. Additions were made by the Hans Renate and Maria Hofmann Trust on October 28, 1998.
Processing information:

Processed by Mary Ellen Jones in 1989; additions by Alison E. Bridger in 2006.

Accruals:

No additions are expected.

Physical location:
Many of the Bancroft Library collections are stored offsite and advance notice may be required for use. For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the library's online catalog.
Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding Aid written by Mary Ellen Jones in 1989; revised by Alison E. Bridger in 2006
Date Prepared:
© 2006
Date Encoded:
Machine-readable finding aid generated by Finding Aid author(s) via EAD XPress; markup validated by Bancroft Library staff using OAC validation tools; Date of source: June 2006

Access and use

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

Copyright has not been assigned to The Bancroft Library. All requests for permission to publish or reproduce must be submitted in writing to the Head of Public Services, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720-6000. Permission for publication is given on behalf of The Bancroft Library as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader. Copyright restrictions also apply to digital representations of the original materials. Use of digital files is restricted to research and educational purposes.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], University of California, Berkeley, University Art Museum Collection of Hans Hofmann Papers, BANC MSS 80/27 c, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.

Location of this collection:
University of California, Berkeley, The Bancroft Library
Berkeley, CA 94720-6000, US
Contact:
510-642-6481
bancref-library@berkeley.edu
Website