Busoni, Rafaello, 1900-1962

The John D. Schiff Collection contains both photographic prints and negatives of John D. and Trude Schiff’s photography careers. The subjects are predominantly portraits of artists and their works. Highlights include portraits of Ludwig Bemelmans and his Madeline illustrations, as well as photographic prints of Marcel Duchamp's Twine installation. and many other photographs of works of art.

The collection contains the correspondence between the writer and artist Rafaello (Lello) Busoni and the violinist Gerhard Meyer-Sichting from 1955 until Busoni’s death in 1962. Also included are diary entries; drawings; poems; and photographs. The majority of the materials relate to the creative and scholarly work of the two artists, as well as their familial life and their personal thoughts or opinions about art exhibitions, theater, and opera visits.

This collection documents the life of Hannah Busoni (née Apfel) and her husband, the artist Rafaello Busoni, son of the renowned composer, Ferruccio Busoni. The collection consists primarily of personal correspondence and photographs, but also includes Portuguese newspaper clippings. There are also four court cases pertaining to the defense attorney, Dr. Alfred Apfel, Hannah's father.