Archives Scrapbooks

The image appears to be a collection of newspaper clippings and scans of articles about art and cultural events, likely related to Harvard University and the Fogg Museum, as well as portraits of historical figures. Here's a summary of the content:

1. Harvard Meleager Letter:

   • A letter from "Edmund von Mach" to the editor of "The Harvard Transcript" discusses the authenticity and accuracy of the "Harvard Meleager" statue, comparing it to other ancient statues and discussing its historical and artistic significance.
   • The letter is dated May 16, 1910, and references other notable sculptures like the Hermes of Praxiteles and the Venus de Medici.

2. Fogg Museum Exhibit:

   • A news clipping from the Gazette dated June 7, 1912, discusses the Fogg Museum's new exhibits, including loans from the late Professor Charles Eliot Norton's family and anonymous gifts, such as a tondo by Sano di Pietro, a Venetian scene by Guardi, and a "Risen Christ" by William Blake.
   • This article highlights the diversity of the museum's collection and the significant contributions made by donors.

3. Portraits of Sir Matthew Holworthy and Lady Holworthy:

   • A separate article mentions the hanging of portraits of Sir Matthew Holworthy and Lady Holworthy in the Fogg Museum in 1910. It credits the portraits to Sir Peter Lely and notes their connection to Harvard University, as Harvard College Yard was named in their honor.

4. Historical Context:

   • The portraits were presented by J. Pierpont Morgan, Jr., and Edward F. Whitney, with a bequest to Harvard University of $25,000, which was the largest gift received by the college during the 17th century.
   • The names "Sir Matthew Holworthy" and "Lady Holworthy" are associated with historical figures who contributed to the university’s history and legacy.

The papers are aged and show signs of wear, suggesting they are historic documents. The images and text reference the importance of art, culture, and historical figures within the context of Harvard University and its museum.

This image is a scrapbook page containing various newspaper clippings and photographs related to art and history, specifically from around 1910-1912. Here's a detailed description:

1. Left Side (Newspaper Clippings):

   • Top Section: A clipping titled "Letters to the Editor" with the subtitle "The Harvard Meleager." The letter, dated May 16 and signed by Edmund von Mach, discusses the Harvard Meleager statue, comparing it to other ancient sculptures and providing historical context about its creation and significance.
   • Bottom Section: A clipping dated July 30, 1910, mentions two paintings of interest to Harvard men that have been hung in the Fogg Museum. These paintings are portraits of Lady and Sir Matthew Holworthy, whose contributions to Harvard are briefly described.

2. Right Side:

   • Top Section: A clipping titled "Copy from Gazette, June 7, 1912," discusses the Fogg Museum's recent acquisitions. It mentions four paintings loaned by the daughters of the late Professor Charles Eliot Norton, including a watercolor by Dante Gabriel Rossetti titled "Before the Battle," and other paintings by Sano di Pietro, Guardi, and William Blake. It also notes an anonymous gift of an Italian religious painting from the sixteenth century and small drawings from the estate of Rev. Edward H. Hall.
   • Middle Section: A small photograph of a statue, likely the Harvard Meleager mentioned in the letter on the left side. The caption reads: "Sir Matthew Holworthy, painted by the famous English portrait painter, Sir Peter Lely, presented by J. Pierpont Morgan to Harvard University."
   • Bottom Section: A larger photograph of a portrait, identified in the caption as Sir Matthew Holworthy, painted by Sir Peter Lely. The caption provides additional context about the painting's presentation to Harvard University by J. Pierpont Morgan.

The entire page is mounted on a brown backing and is placed inside a clear protective sleeve. The clippings and photographs are neatly arranged, providing a historical snapshot of art acquisitions and discussions at the Fogg Museum and Harvard University during the early 20th century.

This image displays a single, aged page—likely from a scrapbook or archival folder—containing three distinct newspaper clippings related to the Harvard University art collection, specifically the Fogg Museum. The page is visibly yellowed, with frayed edges and minor tears, suggesting its age, and is presented under a clear protective cover.

The clippings are arranged with two on the left and one larger one on the right, which includes two photographs.

1. Left Column, Upper Clipping: “LETTERS TO THE EDITOR” to The Harvard Meleager

This article is a letter published in The Harvard Meleager on May 10, 1910, signed by “Eugene von Mach, Cambridge.” The letter addresses inaccuracies in a previous article by E.P. Stearns (May 10) regarding ancient statues. Von Mach disputes claims about the “Harvard Meleager,” insisting it is not an original but a well-made 19th-century copy. He argues that the Vatican’s statue is actually superior and better preserved. He also critiques the modeling of the Harvard copy’s head and drapery as “poor and lifeless,” concluding that it is inferior to the Hermes of Praxiteles. The text suggests the copy was made under the supervision of the artist Hugues and was cast from a bronze statue by Lysippos.

2. Left Column, Lower Clipping: “POST” (likely a local newspaper)

This article, dated July 30, 1910, reports on the recent hanging of two portraits in the Fogg Museum: Lady Holworthy and Sir Matthew Holworthy. The portraits were presented by J. Pierpont Morgan, Jr. and Edward F. Whitney of New York. The article notes that President Lowell announced at the previous commencement that the portraits had been gifted. The portraits will be on exhibition during the summer, after which the University will decide their permanent placement.

It adds that Sir Matthew Holworthy’s $15,000 bequest to Harvard (in 1705) was the largest during that century and that he was a merchant from Hackney who was knighted by Charles II in 1683. His name is also inscribed on the hall named in his honor.

3. Right Column: “Copy from Gazette, June 7, 1912”

This clipping reports on several important additions to the Fogg Museum’s collection.

• From the daughters of Professor Charles Eliot Norton: Four paintings on loan for exhibition:

  • A watercolor titled “Before the Battle” by Dante Gabriel Rossetti — described as a “brilliant and beautiful piece of color.”
  • A “Madonna and Child” by Tano di Pietro (a Venetian scene).
  • “Risen Christ” by William Blake.

• Anonymous gift: A 16th-century Italian religious painting — a tondo on panel — depicting the Adoration of the Shepherds.

• From the estate of Rev. Edward H. Hall: Several small drawings.

Photographs (Right Column, Below Text)

Beneath the “Gazette” clipping, there are two black-and-white halftone reproductions:

• The upper, smaller image appears to be a detail, possibly of a hand or a draped figure, likely from one of the paintings mentioned (perhaps Blake’s “Risen Christ”).

• The lower, larger image is a full portrait of a woman, captioned:
  “SIR MATTHEW HOLWORTHY, PAINTED BY THE FAMOUS ENGLISH PORTRAIT PAINTER, SIR PETER LELY, PRESENTED TO HARVARD UNIVERSITY.”
  (Note: The caption has a significant error — the portrait is clearly of a woman, not Sir Matthew Holworthy. It is almost certainly of Lady Holworthy, as mentioned in the July 30, 1910 article above. The artist, Sir Peter Lely, was a prominent 17th-century portraitist associated with the English court. The portrait depicts a woman in elaborate period dress with voluminous sleeves, a lace collar, and a calm, composed expression.)

Summary:

This page is a curated historical document capturing key moments in 1910–1912 for Harvard’s Fogg Museum. It reflects scholarly debate over ancient statuary, celebrates the addition of important portrait paintings (including a mislabeled Lely portrait), and announces significant gifts and loans of works by Rossetti, Blake, and other European artists. The physical condition and layout indicate this was likely assembled by someone actively following the museum’s acquisitions — possibly a curator, faculty member, or alumni — to document the growth and scholarly engagement of the art collection during this period.

The image is of a newspaper clipping, dated June 7, 1912, from the Gazette. The clipping features an article titled "Letters to the Editor," which includes a letter discussing the authenticity of ancient statues and their significance. The article also mentions the Fogg Museum's acquisition of paintings and drawings from the estate of Rev. Edward H. Hall. The clipping is displayed in a glass frame, and the text is written in black ink on a white background.

The image depicts a page from a newspaper or magazine with a headline that reads "Letters to the Editor." The page is divided into two columns, with the left column containing text and the right column featuring a photograph. The text in the left column appears to be a letter to the editor, discussing the authenticity of ancient statues and the modeling of the Harvard Moleager. The photograph in the right column shows a portrait of a woman, possibly related to the topic of the letter. The page has a vintage appearance, with the text and photograph appearing slightly faded and aged.

The image shows a two-page spread from a publication titled "Letters to the Editor" from The Harvard Messenger, dated June 7, 1912. The pages are presented in a clear protective sleeve, likely for archival or display purposes.

Left Page: "Letters to the Editor"

• Content: The left page features a letter addressed to the editor of The Harvard Messenger. The letter discusses the authenticity and historical significance of an ancient statue, likely the Hermes of Praxiteles. The author critiques claims made by F.P. Sears regarding the statue and defends the Harvard Museum's position on its authenticity. The letter delves into technical and historical arguments, referencing the statue's modeling, inscriptions, and comparisons to other works. It concludes with a signature dated July 30, 1910, and is attributed to Edward von Mach.

Right Page: Article from The Gazette

• Content: The right page is a clipping from The Gazette, dated June 7, 1912, and discusses recent acquisitions by the Fogg Museum at Harvard University. Key points include:
  • Loan from the daughters of Professor Charles Eliot Norton: Four paintings, including a water-color titled "Before the Battle" by Dante Gabriel Rossetti, a Madonna and Child by Sano di Pietro, and a Venetian scene by Guardi, attributed to "Disen Christi" by William Blake.
  • Anonymous gift: An Italian religious painting from the sixteenth century, depicting the "Adoration of the Shepherds" on panel, along with several small drawings from the estate of Rev. Edward H. Hall.
• Illustration: Below the text, there is a black-and-white photograph of a portrait titled "Matthew Holworthy, Painted by the Famous English Portrait Painter, Sir Peter Lely. Presented by J. Pierpont Morgan to Harvard University." The portrait depicts a man in period attire, likely from the 17th century, and is attributed to the renowned artist Sir Peter Lely.

Overall Context

• The document combines scholarly correspondence and museum news, reflecting the intellectual and cultural activities at Harvard University in the early 20th century. The left page focuses on art historical debate, while the right page highlights recent acquisitions and donations to the Fogg Museum, emphasizing the institution's role in preserving and showcasing art. The inclusion of the portrait photograph adds a visual element, connecting the textual content to a specific artwork in the museum's collection.

This spread provides insight into the academic and artistic discourse of the time, as well as the museum's efforts to enrich its holdings.

The image shows a scrapbook page containing various clippings and articles with text and images. Here's a detailed description:

1. Clippings and Text:

   • The left section includes a titled column "LETTERS TO THE EDITOR" with text concerning art studies and Harvard.
   • A typed paper appears in the middle of the page titled "Copy from Gazette, June 7, 1912," detailing historical art donations to the Fogg Museum.
   • Below this, on the left and bottom, there are additional excerpts, including one dated "Post, July 30, 1910," describing art loans and exhibitions.

2. Image:

   • The bottom right portion features a printed monochrome image of a painting. The painting depicts a clothed figure, although the details of their face have been blurred or obscured. The section below the image reads: "S. MATTHEW HOLSWORTHY, PAINTED BY THE FAMOUS ENGLISH PORTRAIT PAINTER, SIR PETER LELY. PRESENTED BY J. PIERPONT MORGAN TO HARVARD UNIVERSITY."

3. Condition and Layout:

   • The page is aged and appears to be from an old scrapbook or archive, with uneven edges, discoloration, and signs of wear around the borders.
   • The text and images are carefully arranged on the page, indicating historical documentation efforts.

The overall appearance of the image gives it an archival and historical context, particularly related to art and Harvard University.

• The image is a collage of old newspaper clippings pasted onto a brown, aged backing.
• On the left side is a vertical column of text titled “LETTERS TO THE EDITOR,” appearing like a newspaper feature with dense small type.
• At the top center-right there is a clipped note labeled “Copy from Gazette, June 7, 1912,” which looks like a pasted article excerpt about the Fogg Museum and a painting exhibition/donation.
• Below this, there are more torn newspaper fragments and a large black-and-white photograph or reproduction of a painting.
• At the bottom of the large image, there is a caption that reads something like: “MATTHEW HOLWORTHY, PAINTED BY THE FAMOUS ENGLISH PORTRAIT PAINTER, SIR PETER LELY, PRESENTED BY J. PIERPONT MORGAN TO HARVARD UNIVERSITY.”
• The overall look is vintage and archival, suggesting a display panel or scrapbook page about Harvard’s art collection and a 1912 newspaper excerpt.

The image shows a photograph of an old newspaper page with articles and a picture. The paper appears to be aged, with a yellow-brown tint that suggests it has been around for a considerable period. There are signs of wear and tear, including creases, tears, and tattered edges, which are consistent with what you'd expect from a vintage document. The text is divided into several columns, a common layout for newspapers.

The articles cover various subjects, including letters to the editor, commentary about museums, and reviews or notices about art pieces. Though the text is too small to read in this view, we can see that it follows typical newspaper formatting with headlines and column structures.

There is a picture in the center right of the page. Despite the blocked out face, we can discern that the picture represents a figure, likely from a painting or artwork, given the context of the surrounding articles that discuss art subjects. The figure is positioned centrally and is the focal point of the picture. The dress and pose suggest a historical or classical theme. The surrounding newspaper text likely provides more details regarding the artwork and artist, but it cannot be read from this distance.

The physical state of the paper and its contents suggest that it is an artifact of some historical or archival significance.

The image showcases a newspaper article and a photograph. The article includes a letter to the editor titled "THE SLAN AND MENALKAGAR" and another article about paintings in the Fogg Museum received as a loan from Professor Charles Eliot Norton. It mentions specific watercolor artworks by Tiepolo and Guardi as examples of brilliant and beautiful pieces of art, along with a Venetian scene by Guardi, and mentions the museum receiving an Italian religious painting from the estate of Rev. Edmund H. Hall. The photograph below the article features a painting described as of "S. Matthew Holworthy," painted by the famous English portrait painter Sir Perth Lea, presented by J. Pierpont Morgan to Harvard University. The background on the sheet appears aged and worn, with visible tape and damage.