Archives of American Art
Biesel family papers
Biesel family
AAA.biesfami
Archival Resource Key
2.9 Linear feet
circa 1859-1983
bulk 1919-1983
The Biesel Family papers measure 2.9 linear feet and date from circa 1859-1983, with bulk dates from 1919-1983. The papers document the careers of a Chicago family of artists, which included Charles Biesel, his son Fred Biesel and Fred Biesel's wife Frances Strain Biesel. Materials include biographical summaries, Fred and Frances Biesel's personal and professional correspondence, writings, and professional records documenting Fred Biesel's involvement with the Federal Arts Project and Frances Biesel's tenure as the director of the Renissance Society at the University of Chicago. Also found are scrapbooks with news clippings, printed materials, photographs of the Biesel family and their artwork, and artwork in the form of handmade Christmas cards, sketchbooks and loose figure sketches and small paintings.
English
.
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research. Access to original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C. Research Center.
Scope and Contents
The Biesel Family papers measure 2.9 linear feet and date from circa 1859-1983, with bulk dates from 1919-1983. The papers document the careers of a Chicago family of artists, which included Charles Biesel, his son Fred Biesel and Fred Biesel's wife Frances Strain Biesel. Included in the papers are biographical material; correspondence; writings; professional files; personal business records; printed material; scrapbooks; photographic material and artwork. Correspondence contains letters to Frances and Fred Biesel regarding exhibiting artwork, project consultation, club membership and speaking engagements. Writings contains a notebook with addresses and price list notes; lecture notes and essay drafts by Fred Biesel on printmaking and art movements such as modernism and cubism, as well as essay typescripts and lectures by others. Also found is a short story about a meeting with Charles Biesel. Professional Files contain correspondence, funding proposals, business records and other materials related to the Biesel's management and participation in various organizations and project such as The Renaissance Society and Artist Union Chicago in Frances Biesel's case and Fred Biesel's involvement with the WPA's Federal Art Project's Illinois chapter, as well as his time as an art professor. The personal business records series contains Charles Biesel's deed lists, and printed material includes several exhibition catalogs related to the Biesel family and other artists, along with clippings and materials related to the Federal Arts Program. The papers also include two scrapbooks of clippings, photographs of the Biesel family, their friends and art associations, artwork, and exhibitions. Artwork is in the form of sketches, etchings, handmade christmas cards and small paintings.
Existence and Location of Copies
35mm microfilm reels 4207-4209 available at Archives of American Art offices, through interlibrary loan and at the Art Institute of Chicago Ryerson Library.
Biographical / Historical
The Biesel Family papers measure 2.9 linear feet and date from circa 1859-1983, with bulk dates from 1919-1983. The Biesel Family were a family of artists comprised of Charles Biesel, his son Fred Biesel, and Fred's wife Frances Strain Biesel.
Charles Biesel (1865-1945) was a marine painter who spent time apprenticing and working with the American Lithography Company in New York and Philadelphia before relocating to Newport, Rhode Island where he co-founded the Newport Art Association in 1912. In 1918, Charles Biesel moved to Chicago where he lived at the 57th street artist colony and was a member of the Arts Club of Chicago and the Chicago Society of Artists. He also helped found the Chicago No-Jury Society of Artists where he served as the organization's first secretary. Biesel exhibited work in several solo exhibitions across the United States; as well as with a group of other Chicago painters who exhibited work annually at the Art Institute of Chicago.
Fred Biesel (1893-1954) was a painter and art administrator born in Philadelphia in 1893 and raised in Newport, Rhode Island where he went on to study at the Rhode Island School of Design from 1913 to 1915. After serving in the U.S. Naval Reserve from 1916 to 1919, Biesel followed his father to Chicago and continued studying at the Art Institute of Chicago where he met his wife Francis Strain and painter John Sloan who wound up influencing them significantly and becoming a lifelong friend. Biesel exhibited at the Art Institute of Chicago, the Chicago Society of Artists, and the Society of Independent Artists. He also participated in museum exhibitions in Rhode Island, New York, New Mexico, and New Jersey. From 1935–1943, Biesel worked under the Federal Art Project, and served as director of Illinois Art and Craft Project from 1941–1943, as well as on the faculty of the Layton Art School in Milwaukee 1946–1953.
Frances Strain Biesel (1898-1962) was a painter and director of the Renaissance Society at the University of Chicago. A native of Chicago, Frances Strain Biesel was an important figure in the art scene of 1920s-1930s Chicago where she was involved in almost every independent exhibition and exhibition group that emerged during that time. Two of these groups included the Chicago No-Jury Society of Artists and the Ten Artists of Chicago, a collective characterized by their commitment to modernist ideals. Her work has been shown across the country, including the Chicago Society of Artists, the Whitney Museum and the Newark Museum.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Microfilmed material was donated in 1985 by Garnett Biesel, son of Fred and Frances Biesel. He later donated unmicrofilmed material in 1990, after it had been used in preparation for the book The Federal Art Project in Illinois, 1935-1943 (1990), by George Mavigliano and Richard Lawson.
Conditions Governing Use
The Archives of American Art makes its archival collections available for non-commercial, educational and personal use unless restricted by copyright and/or donor restrictions, including but not limited to access and publication restrictions. AAA makes no representations concerning such rights and restrictions and it is the user's responsibility to determine whether rights or restrictions exist and to obtain any necessary permission to access, use, reproduce and publish the collections. Please refer to the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for additional information.
Preferred Citation
Biesel Family Papers, circa 1859-1983. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.
Processing Information
The collection was processed, and a finding aid prepared by Sabine Lipten in 2023.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged as nine series
- Series 1: Biographical Material, circa 1949-1961 (2 Folders: Box 1)
- Series 2: Correspondence, circa 1927-1963 (0.1 Linear feet: Box 1)
- Series 3: Writings, circa 1921-1960 (0.1 Linear feet: Box 1)
- Series 4: Professional Files, circa 1939-1962 (0.5 Linear feet: Box 1)
- Series 5: Personal Business, circa 1928-1961 (2 Folders: Box 1)
- Series 6: Printed Material, circa 1897-1983 (1.5 Linear feet: Box 1-3)
- Series 7: Scrapbooks, 1915-1931 (0.1 Linear feet: Box 3, OV 1)
- Series 8: Photographic Material, circa 1919-1960 (0.3 Linear feet: Box 3)
- Series 9: Artwork, circa 1876-1945 (0.4 Linear feet: Box 4)
Modernism (Art)
Art, Modern -- 20th century -- Illinois -- Chicago
Drawings
Sketchbooks
Marine painters -- Illinos -- Chicago
Painters -- Illinois -- Chicago
Women artists
Women painters
Richards, William Trost, 1833-1905
Biesel, Charles, 1865-1945
Biesel, Fred, 1893-1954
Beisel, Frances Strain, 1898-1962
United States. Works Progress Administration
Artists Equity Association
University of Chicago. Renaissance Society
Federal Art Project (Ill.)
Biographical Material
Series 1
Archival Resource Key
2 Folders
Box 1
circa 1949-1961
Scope and Contents
Biographical materials contains biographical summaries for both Frances and Fred Biesel as well as a certificate and accompanying speech written by Harold Haydon awarding Frances the 1961 Artist Equity Citation Award from the Chicago chapter of the Artist Equity Association.
Fred and Frances Biesel Biographical Summaries
Archival Resource Key
circa 1949
1
1
Artist Equity Citation Award Certificate and Speech by Harold Haydon
Archival Resource Key
1961
1
2
Correspondence
Series 2
Archival Resource Key
0.1 Linear feet
Box 1
circa 1927-1963
Scope and Contents
Correspondence contains respective letters to Frances and Fred Biesel regarding exhibiting artwork, project consultation, club membership and speaking engagements. Also found are personal correspondence and holiday cards to the Biesels. Correspondence is arranged chronologically by Biesel family member.
Fred Biesel Correspondence
Archival Resource Key
1931-1953
1
3
Frances Biesel Correspondence
Archival Resource Key
1933-1949
1
4
Frances Biesel Correspondence
Archival Resource Key
1950-1953
1
5
Frances Biesel Correspondence
Archival Resource Key
1956-1959
1
6
Frances Biesel Correspondence
Archival Resource Key
1954-1955
1
7
Frances Biesel Correspondence
Archival Resource Key
1960-1963
1
8
Miscellaneous Correspondence to Fred and Frances Biesel
Archival Resource Key
circa 1956
1
9
Holiday Greeting Cards
Archival Resource Key
circa 1927-1958
1
10
Writings
Series 3
Archival Resource Key
0.1 Linear feet
Box 1
circa 1921-1960
Scope and Contents
The Writing series contains a notebook with addresses and price list notes; lecture notes and essay drafts by Fred Biesel on printmaking and art movements such as modernism and cubism, as well as essay typescripts and lectures by others. Also found is a short story about a meeting with Charles Biesel.
Frances Biesel, Notebook
Archival Resource Key
1931-1934
1
11
Frances Biesel, Event Planning Guest and Contact Lists
Archival Resource Key
circa 1921-1925
1
12
Morgan Park Women's Club Speech Notes
Archival Resource Key
circa 1960
1
13
Fred Biesel Lecture Notes
Archival Resource Key
circa 1945-1957
1
14
Fred Biesel Essay Drafts
Archival Resource Key
circa 1945-1953
1
15
"An Appointment With Charles", Short Story
Archival Resource Key
1953
1
16
American Art Today Essay by Walet Pach
Archival Resource Key
circa 1939-1946
1
17
Aaron Bohrod Lecture
Archival Resource Key
1945
1
18
Professional Files
Series 4
Archival Resource Key
0.5 Linear feet
Box 1
circa 1939-1962
Scope and Contents
Professional Files contain correspondence, funding proposals, business records and other materials related to the Biesel's management and participation in various organizations and projects such as The Renaissance Society and Artist Union Chicago in Frances Biesel's case and Fred Biesel's involvement with the WPA's Federal Art Project's Illinois chapter, as well as his time as an art professor.
Work Progress Administration Federal Arts Project
Archival Resource Key
Professional Correspondence
Archival Resource Key
1941-1945
1
19
Project Funding Proposals
Archival Resource Key
circa 1940
1
20
Museum Program Outline
Archival Resource Key
circa 1939
1
21
Illinois Art and Craft Services Program Proposal and District Plan Outlines
Archival Resource Key
circa 1940
1
22
Summary of Recommendations and Reductions for Illinois Art and Craft Project
Archival Resource Key
circa 1940-1942
1
23
Illinois Art and Craft Program Operation's Manual
Archival Resource Key
circa 1940
1
24
Conference and Exhibition Documents
Archival Resource Key
1941-1942
1
25
Travel Statements and Reimbursement Forms
Archival Resource Key
1942-1943
1
26
Art Project Order Receipts
Archival Resource Key
1943
1
27
New Hampshire Art and Craft Program Conference Speech and Lecture by Holger Cahill
Archival Resource Key
circa 1939-1941
1
28
Radio Interview Transcript with Inez Cunningham Stark and George Keck
Archival Resource Key
1939
1
29
Miscellaneous Illinois Chapter Documents
Archival Resource Key
1941-1942
1
30
Renaissance Society
Archival Resource Key
Correspondence
Archival Resource Key
circa 1941-1962
1
31-32
Administrative Records
Archival Resource Key
1945-1957
1
33
Business Records
Archival Resource Key
1955-1961
1
34
Exhibition Materials
Archival Resource Key
1948-1959
1
35-36
Artist Equity Association
Archival Resource Key
circa 1951-1961
1
37
Artist Union of Chicago, Hyde Park Art Center
Archival Resource Key
circa 1956
1
38
Chicago Society of Artists
Archival Resource Key
circa 1956-1962
1
39
1020 Club
Archival Resource Key
circa 1941
1
40
Fred Biesel, University of Chicago Course List and Description
Archival Resource Key
1953
1
41
Personal Business
Series 5
Archival Resource Key
2 Folders
Box 1
circa 1928-1961
Scope and Contents
Personal business contains Charles Biesel's estate records which detail the deeds related to his artwork. Also found are miscellaneous business records related to the Biesel family such as invoices and loan reciepts and financial notes.
Charles Biesel Estate Lists
Archival Resource Key
1945
1
42
Miscellaneous Personal Business
Archival Resource Key
circa 1928-1961
1
43
Printed Material
Series 6
Archival Resource Key
1.5 Linear feet
Box 1-3
circa 1897-1983
Scope and Contents
Printed Material documents the Biesel family's artistic careers as well as professional affiliations such as Fred's involvement with the WPA Federal Art's Program and Frances' work with the Renaissance Society through exhibition catalogs, news clippings and miscellanea. Also found are clippings--primarily obituaries--discussing Charles Biesel's career and life.
Exhibition Announcement and Catalogs, Biesel Family
Archival Resource Key
circa 1921-1962
1
44--47
Exhibition Announcements and Catalogs, Other Artists
Archival Resource Key
circa 1921-1983
2
1-11
Work Progress Administration Federal Art Project Catalogs
Archival Resource Key
circa 1938-1942
2
12
Work Progress Administration Technical Series Art Circulars
Archival Resource Key
1940-1941
2
13
Miscellaneous, Work Progress Administration
Archival Resource Key
1934-1942
2
14
Renaissance Society Exhibition Announcements
Archival Resource Key
circa 1936-1962
2
15-16
Renaissance Society Exhibition Catalog
Archival Resource Key
1949
2
17
Let the Artist Speak, Teachers' Broadcast Handbook
Archival Resource Key
circa 1941
2
18
News Clippings, Biesel Family
Archival Resource Key
circa 1922-1962
2
19
News Clippings, Works Progress Administration
Archival Resource Key
1935-1942
3
1
News Clippings, Miscellaneous
Archival Resource Key
circa 1897-1962
3
2
Miscellaneous Printed Material
Archival Resource Key
circa 1923-1962
3
3
Scrapbooks
Series 7
Archival Resource Key
0.1 Linear feet
Box 3, OV 1
1915-1931
Scope and Contents
The Scrapbooks series consists of a scrapbook of newspaper clippings compiled by Charles Biesel and detached pages of a scrapbook containing clippings and exhibition announcements related to all of the Biesel family.
Clippings Scrapbook, Charles Biesel
Archival Resource Key
1915-1916
3
4
Detached Scrapbook Pages, Clippings and Exhibition Announcements
Archival Resource Key
1926-1931
5
1
Photographic Material
Series 8
Archival Resource Key
0.3 Linear feet
Box 3
circa 1919-1960
Scope and Contents
Photographic material includes photographs of the Biesel family, membership photographs of Artist Equity Association and artwork they created. Also included are scattered negatives, a photo album of Fred Biesel's artwork as well as a few photographs of a Federal Art Project mural featuring a caricature of Fred Biesel.
Photographs of Biesel Family
Archival Resource Key
circa 1919-1960
3
5
Photographs of Friends
Archival Resource Key
1928-1936
3
6
Photographs of Artist Equity Association
Archival Resource Key
1947-1948
3
7
Photographs of Fred Biesel with Students
Archival Resource Key
circa 1920
1950
3
8
Photographs of Art Exhibitions
Archival Resource Key
circa 1927-1943
3
9
Photo Album of Fred Biesel Paintings
Archival Resource Key
circa 1929
3
10
Photographs of Works of Art
Archival Resource Key
circa 1924-1943
3
11
57th St. Art Colony, WPA Mural by Albert Pearson Photograph and Negative
Archival Resource Key
circa 1935-1943
3
12
Artwork
Series 9
Archival Resource Key
0.4 Linear feet
Box 4
circa 1876-1945
Scope and Contents
Artwork contains woodblock prints, etchings, drawings, paintings, two screenprinted posters and sketchbooks by Fred and Frances Biesel. Also included is a sketchbook by William Trost Richards and miscellaneous drawings by others.
Woodblock Prints and Etchings
Archival Resource Key
circa 1930
4
1
Christmas Card Drawings and Paintings
Archival Resource Key
circa 1926-1945
4
2
Figure Drawings by Fred and Frances Biesel
Archival Resource Key
circa 1907-1919
4
3
Sketches and Paintings
Archival Resource Key
circa 1919
4
4
Screen Printed Posters
Archival Resource Key
circa 1907-1930
4
5
Sketchbooks, Charles Biesel
Archival Resource Key
circa 1907-1919
4
6
Sketchbooks, Biesels
Archival Resource Key
circa 1907-1919
4
7-8
Sketchbook, William Trost Richards
Archival Resource Key
1876-1878
4
9
Miscellaneous Artwork by Others
Archival Resource Key
circa 1925-1930
4
10