The son of Maurice Weiss, a flag maker, and Esther Margles, Hugh Weiss attended Philadelphia High School and then the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, after taking evening classes in watercolor. In 1943, he joined the Barnes Foundation and participated in the Pacific War, an experience that influenced some of his later paintings.
After the war, he received several awards and scholarships (GI Bill, Fine Arts School of Philadelphia) which allowed him to settle in Europe. In 1948, he moved to Paris in the Montparnasse district and participated in the Salon des moins de trente ans at the invitation of Geneviève Asse.
In 1949, he traveled to Italy and met photographer Sabine Weiss, whom he married in 1950. They moved into a studio in Paris and adopted their daughter Marion in 1964. His first solo exhibition took place in 1949, and between 1950 and 1975, he participated in twenty-five exhibitions in Europe and the United States. His travels with his wife enriched his work, particularly to India and Egypt, inspiring his series on Elephants, Architecture, Cathedrals, Domes and Sacred Boats.
In 1995, he obtained French nationality. While the Cobra movement influenced his work, his dreamlike painting defies classification, blending imaginary journeys and tragicomic stories. His last exhibition during his lifetime took place in Orléans in 2007, followed by a posthumous presentation at the Villa Tamaris.
