Correspondence
name: label: Collection Creator
content: Hofmann, Hans, 1880-1966
setName: label: See more items in
content: Hans Hofmann papers
physdesc: label: Extent
content: 3 Linear Feet (Box 1-3)
unitdate: label: Date
content: 1914-1966
dataSource: label: Archival Repository
content: Archives of American Art
identifier: label: Identifier
content: AAA.hofmhans, Series 1
objectType: label: Type
content: Archival materials
arrangement: label: Arrangement
content: Correspondence is arranged alphabetically by correspondent and also includes a few subject files (e.g. "Autograph Requests," "Car Accident," and "War Compensation"). Unknown, unsigned, or illegible letters are filed at the end of the series.
altformavail: label: Existence and Location of Copies
content: This series has been scanned in its entirety.
scopecontent: label: Scope and Contents note
content: The correspondence of Hans Hofmann consists mainly of incoming letters about personal and professional matters. Correspondents include museums, galleries, art dealers, collectors, former students, art historians, critics, fans, friends, and relatives. Although the date of Hofmann's reply is often noted on letters received, outgoing letters are limited to a small number of drafts and carbon copies. Because Hofmann's wife, Miz, often handled his business affairs and was friendly with his former students, many letters are addressed to her. Letters in foreign languages-mostly German, but some in Italian and French-are noted.

Correspondents include Art of This Century Gallery (Peggy Guggenheim), Baltimore Museum of Art, Hofmann's dealer Samuel M. Kootz, the Museum of Modern Art, Mortimer Brandt Gallery (Betty Parsons), Betty Parsons Gallery, Howard Putzel of 67 Gallery, and the Whitney Museum of American Art. Their letters document arrangements for Hofmann's major exhibitions and also concern the loan, sale, and donation of paintings.

With the exception of a file titled "War Compensation," correspondence is limited to the years of Hofmann's residence in the United States. "War Compensation" correspondence and related records, 1912-1923, concern Hofmann's claim against the German government for personal property-including works of art-removed from his Paris apartment in 1914 while he was in Corsica. Correspondence documents attempts to learn the fate of his paintings and the claims process. The correspondents are painter Rudolph Levy, who may have sold Hofmann's paintings and possessions during the time he sublet the apartment; sculptor Eugen Steinhof, Monsieur Haven and Hermann Hailer, who would assist with the claim; and the Bund des Auslandsdeutschen, Bavarian Section. Supporting documentation consists of leases for his Paris apartment and a floorplan, drawn by Hofmann, that indicates placement of furniture and includes an inventory of possessions, including works of art, with values for each item.

Small quantities of additional correspondence are filed with other series. School of Fine Arts Records (Series 2) include inquiries from prospective students; requests for transcripts and recommendations; Immigration and Naturalization Service approval of the school; correspondence about foreign students; and correspondence with the Veterans Administration. Financial Records (Series 4) contain correspondence with the American Express Company, the Social Security Administration, and several banks. Estate Records (Series 9) include correspondence regarding taxes, Hofmann's Provincetown house, and legal matters concerning settlement of his estate. Papers of Renate Schmitz Hofmann (Series 10) include personal and estate correspondence, as well as condolence letters.