Robert Benney Original Drawings, 1926-1942

Links

• View catalog record
• View PDF finding aid (291.11 KB)

Creator

Benney, Robert, 1904-2001.

Location

Billy Rose Theatre Division

Extent

• 36 lin. ft. (45 boxes)

Scope/Contents Note

The Robert Benney drawings are black and white sketches inpencil and ink primarily of actors and actresses in costume for New York City theater productions. The drawings also include sketches of entire scenes and portraits of musicians, radio personalities, comedians, dancers and film stars. There are some photocopies in thecollection; most duplicate the Library's holdings of originals.

Biographical/Historical Note

Robert Benney was an illustrator, painter and war correspondent known primarily for the combat sketches he made of U.S. military personnel in the Pacific during World War II. In addition to his military work, Benney drew portraits of actors and actresses who appeared in NewYork theater productions and Hollywood films. Born in Romania in 1904, Benney grew up in the United States and studied art in New York at Cooper Union and at the National Academy of Design. He began drawing prominent performers of the stage and screen for publication beginning in 1926. His drawings were commissioned by New York newspapers and magazines and, in the late 1930s, by large Hollywood movie studios. Benney also taught art at the college level, worked as a commercial artist for businesses and advertising agencies, had his own studio, and was a war artist correspondent in North Africa (1954) and Vietnam (1968).

Controlled Access Terms

• Actors -- Portraits.
• Actresses -- Portraits.
• Theater -- New York (State) -- New York.
• Motion pictures -- United States.
• Portraits

Additional Creator Name

• p1pc Benney, Robert. Original drawings and research materials (CStRLIN)NYPW02-a168