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Busch-Reisinger Museum Scrapbook, 1974-1975

ARCH.2013.5.17, Rendition: 799385

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The image shows a page from a book or document containing text about Kuno Francke. The text provides biographical information and details about his contributions to the study of German culture and art, particularly at Harvard University.

Key points from the text include:

  1. Biographical Information:

    • Kuno Francke was born in Kiel, Germany, in 1855.
    • He earned his doctorate at Munich in 1878.
    • He traveled and studied in Italian libraries and archives with the help of a traveling Fellowship from 1879 to 1882.
    • In 1884, he received an instructorship at Harvard.
  2. Contributions to German Studies:

    • Francke's creative mind was instrumental in the development of German studies at Harvard.
    • He proposed a Germanic Museum at Harvard, which was supported by President Eliot.
    • The museum aimed to illustrate the development of Germanic culture from early contacts with the Roman Empire to the present day.
    • The museum included reproductions of fine arts and crafts, limited to Germanic countries.
  3. Museum Development:

    • The museum was formally opened on November 10, 1903, with a speech by Carl Schurz.
    • Francke became the Professor of German Culture and Curator of the Germanic Museum in 1904.
    • The museum was initially open to the public on limited days and gave lectures on German religious sculptures.
  4. Challenges and Legacy:

    • Francke faced financial difficulties and political perceptions but continued his work.
    • A new building for the museum was made possible through the generosity of Mr. Jacob H. Schiff and Hugo Reisinger.
    • The new building was opened to the public in the spring of 1921.
    • Francke retired in 1923, expressing his satisfaction with the work he had done.

The text is prepared by Gertrud Liepmann from Cambridge.

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The image shows a page from a historical document or a book about Kuno Francke, focusing on his contributions to the establishment of the German Museum at Harvard University.

Here is a detailed summary of the content visible in the image:

  1. Background and Early Life:

    • Kuno Francke was born in Kiel, Germany, in 1855.
    • He earned his doctorate at Munich in 1878.
    • He traveled and studied extensively in Italian libraries and archives, aided by a scholarship, and became a fellow at the Monumenta Germaniae Historica in 1882.
  2. Harvard's Museum Project:

    • Francke worked on the project of a German Museum for Harvard during the last years of the nineteenth century.
    • President Eliot was supportive of the idea early on, and by 1900, the first German art pieces could be installed.
    • The aim was to illustrate the development of Germanic culture from the first contacts of Germanic tribes with the Roman Empire to the present day.
  3. Museum Initiatives and Plans:

    • Francke's ideas were received favorably at Harvard and transmitted through the German ambassador in Washington, Dr. von Holleben, to the Foreign Office in Berlin.
    • In February 1901, a petition to the Emperor was granted, allowing the casting of significant monuments such as the Hildesheim Doors and parts of the Naumburg Cathedral.
  4. Formal Opening:

    • The formal opening of the Museum took place on November 10, 1903, marking the anniversaries of Martin Luther and Friedrich Schiller.
    • Carl Schurz, then seventy-four years old, delivered the principal address, emphasizing the high traditions of German culture.
  5. Museum Operations:

    • From November 1903 to June 1904, the Museum was visited by approximately 70,000 persons.
    • Lectures on German religious sculptures from the Middle Ages were regularly held, attracting students.
  6. New Building and Recognition:

    • Francke's efforts led to the construction of a new building, named after Mr. Adolphus Busch, a donor, in 1921.
    • The dedication was marked with a speech by Francke thanking his collaborators and expressing gratitude for the museum's inspiration.

The document was prepared by Gertrud Liepe from Cambridge, indicating that it is likely part of an academic or historical publication.

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KUNO FRANKE

Kuno Francke was born in Kiel (Schleswig-Holstein, Germany) in 1855 and took his doctorate at Munich in 1878. "A will-o'-the-wisp," he travelled and studied in Italian libraries and archives with the help of a scholarship and then became a fellow at the Monumenta Germaniae Historica in 1882. In 1884, the Department of German at Harvard offered an instructorship to the young German scholar.

During the last years of the nineteenth century, Francke's creative mind was working on the project of a Germanic Museum for Harvard. President Eliot, quite early interested in such a plan, placed a circular building, a former gymnasium, at his disposal, and, in 1900, the first examples of German art could be installed. In 1902, a presentation of the planned Museum was published in Berlin: "...the ultimate aim of the Germanic Museum of Harvard University is to illustrate by reproduction of typical works of the fine arts and crafts the development of Germanic culture from the first contacts of the Germanic tribes with the civilisation of the Roman Empire to the present day. The limitation to reproductions has been decided upon, because only in this way can the restriction of the Museum to really typical works be assured. These reproductions are to be in the full size of the originals." The Museum, which Francke called "Lehrstuecke," "learning material for the general public that had hardly the opportunity to see originals either in their own country or abroad."

Francke's ideas, well received at Harvard, were transmitted through the German ambassador in Washington, Dr. von Holleben, to the Foreign Office at Berlin, and an immediate appeal to the Emperor was suggested. The petition was granted in February 1901 as well as the casting from a mold of several of the most bulky monuments like the Hildesheim Doors, the whole Roof Screen and all the canons and canonesses from the Naumburg Cathedral and more. I shall never cease to feel greatly indebted from the depth of my heart to the sovereign who, with all the mistakes in his political perception, was striving after high ideals," wrote Francke.

The formal opening of the Museum took place on November 10, 1903, the anniversary of the births of Martin Luther and Friedrich Schiller. The principal address was given by Carl Schurz, then seventy-four years old, "who had applied all the high traditions of his German past to the service of the American commonwealth." In the meantime, Kuno Francke had become Professor of German Culture and Curator of his "Germanic Museum." In 1903, he published the first Handbook for the visiting public. "From November 1903 to the end of 1905, the Museum was visited by some 70,000 persons, although it was regularly open for the public only on two entire days and two afternoons of the week. Lectures on German religious sculptures of the Middle Ages were given in the Museum by the Curator to advanced students in 1903-04 and 1905-06. What an enjoyment it is to see this white-haired man wonder was repeatedly heard, for the casts had not yet been tinted in the colors of the originals.

Francke's fight for the Museum went on and a new building was made possible "through the munificence of Mr. Adolphus Busch of St. Louis and the interest of his son-in-law, Mr. Hugo Reisinger of New York." On the pediment of the Museum were placed the words of the poet Schiller: "Es ist der Geist der sich den Körper baut," it is the spirit that builds the body. In the spring of 1921, the new building, named after its donor, Adolphus Busch Hall, was opened to the public. "With this hopeful outlook upon the future and with hearty thanks to all my collaborators," Francke wrote, "I take leave of a work which has given inspiration to the best years of my life."

prepared by Gertrud Liepe, Cambridge

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The image displays a page from a document detailing the life and contributions of Kuno Francke, particularly his involvement with the Germanic Museum at Harvard University.

Summary:

  • Early Life and Career:
    Kuno Francke was born in Kiel, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, in 1855. He earned his doctorate at Munich in 1878. After traveling and studying in Italian libraries and archives, he became a scholar and eventually took on a professorship at the German Historical Institute in 1884. Later, Harvard University invited him to join their faculty.

  • Establishing the Germanic Museum:
    In the late 19th century, Francke initiated the project of creating a Germanic Museum at Harvard. By 1900, President Eliot approved the plan, and the first examples of German art were installed. The museum aimed to showcase reproductions of significant German cultural artifacts to educate both the Harvard community and the general public. This concept was unique at the time, focusing on the educational value of replicas.

  • Political and Institutional Support:
    Francke's ideas were well-received at Harvard and were supported through diplomatic channels, including the German ambassador in Washington, Dr. von Holleben. The project gained significant momentum, including an imperial appeal to Emperor Wilhelm II in 1901 and subsequent funding and donations from various prominent German institutions and figures.

  • Inauguration and Expansion:
    The museum's formal opening took place on November 10, 1903, with speeches by notable figures such as Martin Luther and Friedrich Schiller's descendant. By 1906, the museum opened to the public regularly. Francke continued to give lectures on German religious sculptures during the early 20th century.

  • New Building:
    Francke’s vision expanded further with the addition of a new building. A significant donation from Mr. Adolphus Busch facilitated this expansion. The new building, inspired by the Kaiser's visit and named Adolphus Busch Hall, opened in 1921.

The document highlights Francke's dedication and the significant support he garnered, reflecting his pivotal role in establishing and expanding the Germanic Museum at Harvard. The text was prepared by Gertrud Liepe from Cambridge.

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The image is a scanned page from a book or document about Kuno Francke, a German scholar. Here is a detailed summary of the text on the page:

Kuno Francke was born in Kiel, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, in 1855 and earned his doctorate in Munich in 1878. He was a "will-o'-the-wisp," traveling and studying in various places, including Italian libraries and archives. He received a scholarship and became a fellow at the Monumenta Germaniae Historica in 1882. In 1884, the Department of German at Harvard offered him an instructorship for young German scholars.

In the late 19th century, Francke worked on the idea of a Germanic Museum for Harvard. President Eliot supported the idea, and in 1900, the first examples of German art were installed in a circular building on Harvard's campus. The museum aimed to illustrate the development of Germanic culture through reproductions of typical works from the Roman Empire to the present day. Francke's plan was to create reproductions that could be studied in their entirety, as seeing the originals in their own countries was not always feasible.

Francke's ideas were well-received, and he worked through the German ambassador in Washington, Dr. von Holleben, to gain approval from the German Emperor. The petition was granted in February 1901, and several prominent monuments were cast, including the Hildesheim Doors, the Nurnberg Screen, and the canons from Naumburg Cathedral.

The formal opening of the museum took place on November 10, 1903, coinciding with the anniversary of the births of Martin Luther and Friedrich Schiller. The principal address was given by Carl Schurz, who had served in the American commonwealth. Francke became Professor of German Culture and Curator of the museum in 1903. The museum was open to the public and attracted significant attention, with around 70,000 visitors in its first year.

Francke's dedication and vision led to the museum's success, and his fight for the museum's establishment was supported by influential figures, including Mr. Adolphus Busch of St. Louis and Mr. Hugo Reisinger of New York. The new building was named after Adolphus Busch Hall and opened to the public in 1921.

The text concludes with Francke's hopeful outlook on the future of the museum and his gratitude to his collaborators, marking the end of a work that had inspired him greatly. The document was prepared by Gertrud Liepe from Cambridge.

Mistral, mistral.ministral-3-8b-instruct

The image shows a page from a document or book detailing the life and work of Kuno Francke, a German scholar and historian. Here's a detailed summary of the content:

  1. Early Life and Education:

    • Kuno Francke was born in Kiel, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, in 1855.
    • He obtained his doctorate from Munich in 1878.
    • He traveled and studied in Italy with the help of a scholarship, becoming a fellow at the Monumenta Germaniae Historica in 1882.
  2. Academic Career:

    • In 1884, Francke was offered an instructorship at Harvard University's Department of German.
    • During the late 19th century, he worked on a project for a Germanic Museum at Harvard, aiming to illustrate the development of Germanic culture from the first contacts with Roman civilization to the present day.
    • The museum's exhibits were to be reproductions of typical works of art and crafts, rather than originals.
  3. Initiative and Realization:

    • Francke's ideas were well-received at Harvard and were communicated through the German ambassador in Washington, Dr. von Holleben, to the Foreign Office in Berlin.
    • A petition was granted in February 1901, allowing the casting of several significant monuments.
    • The formal opening of the museum occurred on November 10, 1903, with a speech by Carl Schurz, highlighting the historical significance and cultural heritage it represented.
  4. Post-Museum Activities:

    • Francke became Professor of German Culture and Curator of the Museum in 1905.
    • The museum, initially named the Germanic Museum, attracted over 70,000 visitors in its first year.
    • Francke continued to lecture on German religious sculptures of the Middle Ages and other topics.
  5. New Building and Legacy:

    • Francke's efforts to secure a new building for the museum were successful due to the generosity of Mr. Adolphus Busch of St. Louis and Mr. Hugo Reisinger of New York.
    • The new building was named Adolphus Busch Hall and opened in 1921.
    • Francke expressed his gratitude and left the museum in the capable hands of his collaborators, marking the end of his tenure.

The document concludes with the note that the information was prepared by Gertrud Liepe from Cambridge.

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The image shows a typed page titled "KUNO FRANCKE," giving a detailed biography and overview of Kuno Francke's life and work. The text describes Francke's birth in Kiel, Germany, in 1855, his doctorate at Munich in 1878, and his scholarly journey, including his Fellowship at the Monumenta Germaniae Historica and his instructor role at Harvard. It highlights his work on establishing a Germanic Museum at Harvard, the challenges and support he received, his ideas' transmission through diplomatic channels, and the museum's formal opening on November 10, 1903, coinciding with an anniversary.

The page further discusses Francke's role as professor and curator, the museum's public engagement, and his fight for a new building, which became possible with support from Adolphus Busch of St. Louis and Hugo Reisinger of New York. The page ends with a quote from Francke expressing gratitude for his collaborators and his work's inspiration. The text is prepared by Gertrud Liepe, Cambridge. The page is bound in a green hardcover book.

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The image shows a typed document with a passage of text that appears to be a biographical note or historical record about a person named Kuno Francke. The document resides within a book or folder, as evidenced by its bound edge visible on the left and the adjacent page partly in view on the left side.

The text details some career highlights and contributions of Kuno Francke to the field of Germanic studies and the development of a museum. There are a few handwritten markings, such as a line under the title "KUNO FRANCKE" at the top of the page, and a couple of words are underlined in the body of the text. A single line is drawn in the margin alongside one paragraph, possibly indicating its significance.

At the very bottom of the text, it’s indicated that the biographical note was "prepared by Gertrud Lüpke, Cambridge", suggesting the author of the document.

The document is historical in nature, and from the content, it is clear that Kuno Francke was an academic figure who made contributions to cultural and educational projects. There are references to Harvard University and to a museum associated with the Germanic culture, as well as mention of significant events such as the publishing of a handbook for the public and the involvement of benefactors in supporting cultural endeavors. The document also mentions Francke's personal reflections on his work towards the end of the passage.

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The image shows a page from a book, specifically from a volume titled "KUNO FRANKE", which appears to be a biography or academic work. The page is numbered 12.1 and contains a detailed account of Kuno Francke's life and contributions, particularly focusing on his role in establishing the Germanic Museum at Harvard University.

Key Details from the Page:

  1. Introduction to Kuno Francke:

    • Born in Kiel, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, in 1855.
    • Earned a doctorate at Munich in 1878.
    • Traveled and studied in Italian libraries and archives, becoming a fellow at the Monumenta Germaniae Historica in 1882.
    • Appointed as a Germanist at Harvard in 1884, where he became a professor.
  2. Francke's Vision for the Germanic Museum:

    • In the late 19th century, Francke proposed a plan for a Germanic Museum at Harvard.
    • He envisioned a circular building, a former gymnasium, to house the museum.
    • The museum aimed to display examples of German art and crafts, illustrating the development of Germanic culture from the first day of the Germanic tribes to the civilization of the Roman Empire.
    • The museum's collection would include reproductions of typical works of fine arts and crafts, limited to full-size reproductions due to space constraints.
  3. Political and Cultural Impact:

    • Francke's ideas gained support from influential figures, including the German ambassador in Washington and the German Foreign Office.
    • In February 1901, an appeal was made to the Emperor, resulting in the granting of a petition to create monuments and public art, including the casting of the whole Rodin Screen and cannons from the Naumburg Cathedral.
  4. Opening of the Museum:

    • The museum officially opened on November 10, 1903, coinciding with the 400th anniversary of the births of Martin Luther and Friedrich Schiller.
    • Carl Schurz, then 74 years old, delivered the principal address.
    • The museum was regularly open to the public, with two afternoons a week dedicated to lectures for advanced students.
  5. Expansion and Legacy:

    • In 1906, Francke became the first Handbook of German Culture and Curator of the Museum.
    • The museum's popularity grew, with over 70,000 visitors annually by the mid-1900s.
    • Francke advocated for a new building, which was realized through the munificence of Mr. Adolphus Busch.
    • The new building, named after Busch, opened in 1921, fulfilling Francke's vision.
  6. Conclusion:

    • Francke expressed gratitude for his work and its impact, noting that it had inspired collaborators and contributed to his best years.

Visual Characteristics:

  • The page is printed on aged, slightly yellowed paper, suggesting it is from an older or archival edition.
  • The text is typeset in a classic serif font, typical of academic or historical publications.
  • The page includes page numbers and marginalia, indicating it is part of a larger, structured work.
  • The text is dense and informative, focusing on historical and academic details.

This page provides a comprehensive overview of Kuno Francke's contributions to the establishment and development of the Germanic Museum at Harvard, highlighting his academic achievements, cultural vision, and lasting legacy.

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The image shows an open book with a text that reads "KUNO FRANKE". The book is opened to a page with a paragraph that reads, "Kuno Francke was born in Kiel (Schleswig-Holstein, Germany) in 1855 and took his doctorate at Munich in 1878." The text also mentions that Francke traveled and studied in Italian libraries and archives with the help of a scholarship and then became a fellow at the Monumenta Germaniae Historica in 1882. The book is placed on a gray surface, and the pages are slightly curled.