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Busch-Reisinger Museum Scrapbook, 1986-1990

ARCH.2013.5.20, Rendition: 801314

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The image shows a printed page with a biographical text about Charles Louis Kuhn. Here is a detailed summary of the content:

Charles Louis Kuhn

Born: December 14, 1901
Died: July 21, 1985

Charles Louis Kuhn was born in Cincinnati and passed away in Cambridge. His family was known for being financiers and conservatives. Kuhn, however, was described as a gentle and somewhat frail individual who was sent to a military school. This experience caused him to reject his family's values, and he embraced more aesthetic and intellectual pursuits.

Kuhn received his A.B. from the University of Michigan in 1923. He then attended Harvard for graduate studies in Fine Arts, earning his Ph.D. in 1929. His dissertation, titled "Romanesque Painting of Catalonia," was published.

During his time as a graduate student in Cambridge, Kuhn was part of a notable group of young art enthusiasts, including Alfred H. Barr, Russell Hitchcock, Edward Warburg, Lincoln Kirstein, and Alexander Calder. Their contributions to the art world significantly influenced modern American art. Kuhn's role was particularly notable for introducing Francophile America to the German avant-garde.

In 1930, Kuhn married Hetty Shuman. That same year, he was appointed curator of what would become Harvard's Germanic Museum, a position he held until his retirement in 1968. Despite challenges such as the Great Depression and the rise of the Third Reich, Kuhn successfully managed the museum's budget with the help of his wife. Their efforts included personal financial contributions and significant time and dedication.

The text concludes by noting that the long-term results of their efforts were important funds for acquisitions. The source of the information is cited as the Harvard University Gazette, Vol. LXXIII, No. 43, from February 17, 1987.

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The image is a page from a document, specifically a biographical entry about Charles Louis Kuhn, published in the Harvard University Gazette. Here's a detailed summary:

Biographical Entry:
Charles Louis Kuhn

  • Born: December 14, 1901
  • Died: July 21, 1985

Charles Louis Kuhn was born in Cincinnati and died in Cambridge. His family background was that of financiers with conservative values, but Kuhn was quite unconventional. He was sent to a military school, but he rejected his family's conservative aesthetic values and became a gentle and least military man.

Education and Academic Contributions:

  • Kuhn received an A.B. from the University of Michigan in 1923.
  • He then pursued graduate studies in Fine Arts at Harvard University, where he earned his Ph.D. in 1929 with a dissertation titled "Romanesque Painting of Catalonia."

During his graduate years, Kuhn was influenced by contemporary artists in Cambridge, including notable figures like Alfred Barr, Russell Hitchcock, Edward Warburg, Lincoln Kirstein, and Alexander Calder. His work contributed significantly to the appreciation of German avant-garde art in America.

Career and Contributions:

  • In 1930, Kuhn's life took a significant turn. He married Hetty Shuman and was appointed curator of Harvard’s German Museum. He held this position until his retirement in 1968.
  • Kuhn's role involved fundraising, particularly during the Great Depression, to maintain the museum's budget during the rise of the Third Reich, which posed increasing threats.
  • Over his 38 years at the museum, Kuhn and his wife dedicated considerable effort and resources to ensure the financial health of the institution. Their combined efforts resulted in significant funds for acquisitions.

The biographical entry is from Volume LXXXII, Number 43, of the Harvard University Gazette, dated July 17, 1987.

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The image shows a page from a book or a document that provides biographical information about Charles Louis Kuhn. Here is a detailed summary:

Title:

  • CHARLES LOUIS KUHN

Birth and Death:

  • Born: December 14, 1901
  • Died: July 21, 1985

Biographical Information:

  • Charles Louis Kuhn was born in Cincinnati in 1901 and died in Cambridge in 1985.
  • His family were financiers and were known for being quite conservative. Kuhn, however, had a different personality; he was sent to a military school but rejected the conventional values and became the least military of men.
  • He received an A.B. from the University of Michigan in 1923 and then went to Harvard for graduate study in Fine Arts, where he earned his Ph.D. in 1929. His dissertation was published as "Romanesque Painting of Catalonia."
  • During his time at Harvard, he was part of a group of young enthusiasts for contemporary art, including individuals like Alfred Barr, Russell Hitchcock, and others who made significant contributions to the appreciation of art in America. Kuhn specifically introduced the German avant-garde to America.
  • In 1930, Kuhn married Hettie Shuman and was appointed curator of what was then Harvard’s Germanic Museum, now known as the Busch-Reisinger Museum, where he remained until his retirement in 1968.
  • One of his major challenges was raising funds during the Great Depression and the rise of the Third Reich, which posed significant threats. Despite these challenges, Kuhn successfully kept the museum’s budget balanced through the efforts of both himself and his wife, often using their own money when necessary.
  • The long-term results of his work were important for the museum’s acquisitions.

Source:

  • The information is excerpted from the Harvard University Gazette, Vol. LXXXII, No. 43, dated July 17, 1987.

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The image is an obituary for Charles Louis Kuhn, sourced from the Harvard University Gazette, Volume LXXXII, No. 43, dated July 17, 1987.

Key Points from the Obituary:

  1. Personal Information:

    • Born: December 14, 1901, in Cincinnati.
    • Died: July 21, 1985, in Cambridge.
  2. Family Background:

    • Kuhn came from a family of financiers and conservative Republicans.
    • He reacted against his family’s values by becoming the "least military of men."
  3. Education:

    • Received an A.B. from the University of Michigan in 1923.
    • Earned a Ph.D. in Fine Arts from Harvard in 1929.
    • His dissertation was on "Romanesque Painting of Catalonia."
  4. Career and Contributions:

    • During his graduate years in Cambridge, he associated with notable young enthusiasts for contemporary art, including Alfred Barr, Russell Hitchcock, Chick Austin, Edward Warburg, Lincoln Kirstein, and Alexander Calder.
    • Kuhn played a significant role in introducing German avant-garde achievements to America.
  5. Professional Life:

    • In 1930, he was appointed curator of Harvard’s Germanic Museum (later known as the Busch-Reisinger Museum).
    • He held this position until his retirement in 1968.
    • Despite financial challenges, especially during the Great Depression and the rise of the Third Reich, Kuhn managed to maintain and grow the museum's collection with limited funds.
    • His success was greatly supported by his wife, Hetty, who contributed both time and their personal funds.
  6. Personal Life:

    • Married Hetty Shuman in July 1930.

The obituary highlights Kuhn's significant contributions to the art world, particularly his role in promoting German avant-garde art in America and his dedicated curatorship at Harvard's Germanic Museum.

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The image shows an open book page with a biographical entry about Charles Louis Kuhn.

Title:
Charles Louis Kuhn

Dates:
Born: December 14, 1901
Died: July 21, 1985

Biography:
Charles Louis Kuhn was born in Cincinnati on December 14, 1901, and died in Cambridge on July 21, 1985. His family were financiers and were known to be quite conservative. Kuhn, somewhat fractious, was sent to a military school. He had a double reaction to this environment: he rejected his family's conventional aesthetic values and became the gentlest, least military of men.

Kuhn received an A.B. from the University of Michigan in 1923. He then went to Harvard for graduate study in Fine Arts and earned his Ph.D. in 1929. His dissertation, published as "Romanesque Painting of Catalonia," contributed significantly to the understanding of art history.

During his graduate student years in Cambridge, Kuhn was among a group of remarkable young enthusiasts for contemporary art, including Alfred Barr, Russell Hitchcock, "Chick" Austin, Edward Warburg, Lincoln Kirstein, and Alexander Calder. Their collective contribution to the contemporary art scene was invaluable. Kuhn's specific role was introducing the achievements of the German avant-garde to Francophile America.

The year 1930 was pivotal for Kuhn. In March, he married Hetty Shuman, and in July, he was appointed curator of what was then Harvard's Germanic Museum. He held this position until his retirement in 1968. Fundraising was a crucial part of his job, especially during the Great Depression and the rise of the Third Reich, which posed increasing threats. Kuhn and his wife worked tirelessly to keep the museum’s budget balanced, contributing both time and their own money to ensure the museum's success. Their efforts led to significant long-term funds for acquisitions.

The text is from the Harvard University Gazette, Volume LXXXII, No. 43, dated July 17, 1987.

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The image shows a page from the Harvard University Gazette, specifically Volume LXXXII, Number 43, dated July 17, 1987. The page features an obituary for Charles Louis Kuhn.

Obituary for Charles Louis Kuhn:

  • Born: December 14, 1901
  • Died: July 21, 1985

Charles Louis Kuhn was born in Cincinnati on December 14, 1901, and died in Cambridge on July 21, 1985. His family were financiers and were reputedly quite conservative. Kuhn, somewhat fractious, was sent to a military school, but he rejected his family's conventional aesthetic values and became known as the gentlest and least military of men.

Kuhn earned an A.B. from the University of Michigan in 1923 and came to Harvard for graduate study in Fine Arts. He was awarded his Ph.D. in 1929, with his dissertation published as "Romanesque Painting of Catalonia."

During his graduate student years in Cambridge, Kuhn was part of a group of notable young enthusiasts for contemporary art, including Alfred Barr, Russell Hitchcock, "Chick" Austin, Edward Warburg, Lincoln Kirstein, and Alexander Calder. His role was significant in introducing Francophile America to the achievements of the German avant-garde.

1930 was a pivotal year for Kuhn. He married Hettly Shuman in March, and in July, he was appointed curator of what was then Harvard’s German Museum. He remained in this position until his retirement in 1968. The primary challenge was raising funds during the Great Depression and the increasingly threatening Third Reich. Kuhn managed to keep the museum's budget balanced through the next thirty-eight years with unwavering dedication, significant personal effort, and occasional contributions from their own resources. This resulted in securing important funds for acquisitions.

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The image shows an open book with a biographical text about Charles Louis Kuhn. The right-hand page is titled "CHARLES LOUIS KUHN" with his birth and death dates: December 14, 1901, and July 21, 1985. The text details his life, starting with his birth in Cincinnati and death in Cambridge, mentioning his conservative family background and attendance at a military school. It describes Kuhn’s education, including receiving an A.B. from the University of Michigan in 1923 and a Ph.D. from Harvard in 1929, with a dissertation titled "Romanesque Painting of Catalonia." The biography highlights his involvement in the Cambridge art scene, listing notable contemporaries and emphasizing Kuhn's role in introducing the German avant-garde to Americana Francophiles. It notes significant events in 1930, including his marriage to Hetty Shuman and his appointment as curator of Harvard’s Germanic Museum, where he worked until retirement in 1968. The text concludes by discussing the financial challenges during the Great Depression and Kuhn's efforts to maintain the museum’s budget, supported by his wife's collaboration. The passage is cited as from the Harvard University Gazette, dated July 17, 1987. The left page is blank.

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This image shows an open book with text on the right-hand page. The left-hand page is blank. The text on the right is a tribute or obituary for Charles Louis Kuhn and includes details about his life and accomplishments. The first paragraph details his birth on December 14, 1901, in Cincinnati and his death on July 21, 1985, in Cambridge. It mentions his family background, his conservative and somewhat fractious nature, his rejection of his family's conventional aesthetic values, and his enlistment in the military. Further paragraphs discuss his academic background at the University of Michigan and Harvard, his significant dissertation on Romanesque painting, and his connection with notable individuals during his graduate studies.

The text goes on to discuss his career, including significant years and events, such as his marriage in 1930 and his appointment as curator at what was then Harvard's Germanic Museum. The paragraph highlights his work there despite the challenges of the Great Depression and the rise of Nazi Germany, as well as his successful partnership with his wife in ensuring the museum's success.

The last sentence indicates that the text is from the Harvard University Gazette from July 17, 1987, more specifically from volume LXXXII, No. 43. The style and layout suggest that this could be a printed memorial or obituary from a publication affiliated with the university or a similar institution.

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The image shows an open book displaying a page from a publication, likely a biography or obituary. The page is titled "CHARLES LOUIS KUHN" and includes the following details:

Header Information:

  • Name: Charles Louis Kuhn
  • Born: December 14, 1901
  • Died: July 21, 1985

Content:

The text begins with a detailed account of Kuhn's life and career. Key points include:

  • Birth and Death: Kuhn was born in Cincinnati on December 14, 1901, and died in Cambridge on July 21, 1985.
  • Family Background: His family were financiers and reputedly quite conservative. Kuhn rejected the family's conventional aesthetic values and became known as the "gentlest, the least militaristic of men."
  • Education:
    • Received an A.B. from the University of Michigan in 1923.
    • Attended Harvard for graduate study in Fine Arts, earning his Ph.D. in 1929.
    • His dissertation was published as Renaissance Painting of Catalonia.
  • Influence on Contemporary Art:
    • During his graduate years, Kuhn was influenced by notable figures such as Alfred Barr, Russell Hitchcock, "Chick" Austin, Edward Warburg, Lincoln Kirstein, and Alexander Calder.
    • He played a significant role in introducing Francophile America to the achievements of the German avant-garde.
  • Career Highlights:
    • In 1930, Kuhn was appointed the climactic curator of the Germanic Museum at Harvard.
    • He married Hetty Shuman in July 1930 and remained at the museum until his retirement in 1968.
    • Despite the challenges of the Great Depression and the threat of the Third Reich, Kuhn successfully balanced the museum's budget through joint efforts with his wife, securing significant funds for acquisitions.

Source:

The text is attributed to the Harvard University Gazette, Vol. LXXIII, No. 43, dated July 17, 1987.

Visual Context:

  • The page is clean and well-formatted, with standard serif typography typical of academic or biographical publications.
  • The left page is partially visible, showing text that appears to be from a different section or chapter, possibly discussing another topic or individual. The visible text includes words like "State" and "a broader approach," suggesting it may be part of a larger narrative or discussion.

Overall Impression:

The image depicts a formal and informative page from a publication, likely an obituary or biographical entry, focusing on the life, education, and contributions of Charles Louis Kuhn, particularly his role in the art world and his association with the Germanic Museum at Harvard.

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The image shows an open book with the title "CHARLES LOUIS KUHN" on the right page. The book is open to a page that contains text, possibly an article or a chapter. The text is written in black font on a white background. The book appears to be a printed publication, possibly a biography or an article about Charles Louis Kuhn. The text on the right page is written in a formal and academic style, suggesting that it may be an excerpt from a scholarly publication or a book.