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Fogg Art Museum Scrapbook, January 1900-September 1920

ARCH.2003.21, Rendition: 789853

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The image shows a newspaper clipping from the "Harvard Alumni Bulletin" dated June 7, 1912. The clipping contains two main sections: a letter to the editor and an article about the Fogg Museum's recent acquisitions.

Letter to the Editor

  • Author: The Harvard Melanger
  • Subject: The letter discusses the authenticity of the "Venus de Medici" statue. The writer argues that the statue at Harvard is not the original but a copy made in the fourth century, based on comparisons with the original in Florence. The letter mentions that the Harvard statue has been mistakenly believed to be the original due to its high quality and similarities to the original.

Article from Gazette

  • Date: June 7, 1912
  • Content: The Fogg Museum has received several notable artworks as loans and gifts:
    • Four paintings from the daughters of Professor Charles Eliot Norton, including works by Gabriel Rossetti, Tano da Fiesole, Guardi, and William Blake.
    • A 16th-century Italian religious painting from an anonymous donor.
    • Several small drawings from the estate of Rev. Edward H. Hall.

Additional Information

  • Portrait Presentation: The article also mentions a portrait of Matthew Holworthy painted by Sir Peter Lely, presented by J. Pierpont Morgan to Harvard University.
  • Photograph: There is a photograph of the portrait of Matthew Holworthy within the article.

Additional Note

  • Date: July 30, 1910
  • Content: This note mentions the arrival of rare portraits at the Fogg Museum, including a portrait of Lady Arabella Denny by Sir Peter Lely, which was a gift from Howard P. Whitney of New York.

The clipping is aged and shows signs of wear, with some tears and discoloration.

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The image contains two main sections of historical documents, each with its own content and context.

Left Side:
This part of the document is a letter to the editor of the Harvard Magazine, written by an anonymous author, dated July 30, 1910. The letter discusses the status of ancient statues at Harvard, particularly the Melager statue.

  • The author criticizes the statements made by F. P. Stearns about the Melager statue, which is believed to be a fourth-century work of Greek sculpture.
  • The letter argues that the Melager statue is not as inferior to the Vatican copy as Stearns suggests, mentioning its unique features such as the addition of supports.
  • The author questions the authenticity and the provenance of the statue, suggesting that it might not be original and that it was likely made in the fourth century.
  • The author also mentions the possibility of making a plaster cast of the Melager statue, leaving the original in the museum.

Right Side:
This section includes two separate newspaper clippings from around 1912.

  1. Top Clipping:

    • The text is a copy from a June 7, 1912, newspaper article about the Fogg Museum receiving artworks.
    • It lists several paintings loaned to the Fogg Museum by the daughters of Charles Eliot Norton. These include:
      • "Before the Battle" by Dante Gabriel Rossetti
      • A Madonna and Child by San di Pietro
      • "Wisen Christ" by William Blake
      • An anonymous Italian religious painting from the sixteenth century
      • Several small drawings from Rev. Edward H. Hall's estate.
  2. Bottom Clipping:

    • This clipping discusses the arrival of two paintings of interest to Harvard: "Lady and Matthew Holworthy," painted by Sir Peter Lely and presented by J. Pien Pont Morgan.
    • The portraits will be on display in the Fogg Museum, with the condition that they will be returned to Harvard after the summer if the directors decide to keep them there.
    • The portraits were part of a significant gift and are notable for their historical value, painted by a famous English portrait painter.

Overall, the image highlights discussions and events concerning artworks, their provenance, and the management of important art pieces within Harvard and the Fogg Museum.

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The image shows a collection of documents, including a newspaper clipping and a typewritten letter, framed under glass. The newspaper clipping on the left, from "The Harvard Meleager," dated July 30, 1910, features a letter to the editor discussing the authenticity and historical context of certain statues. The typewritten letter on the right, dated June 7, 1912, from the "Gazette," reports that the Fogg Museum has received artworks on loan from the daughters of the late Professor Charles Eliot Norton, including pieces by Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Pano di Pietro, Guardi, and William Blake. Additionally, it mentions an anonymous gift of an Italian religious painting and several small drawings. Below the letter, there is a photograph of a portrait of Matthew Holworthy, painted by Sir Peter Lely, which was presented to Harvard University by J. Pierpont Morgan.

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The image is a collage of several aged newspaper clippings discussing various art-related topics and museum acquisitions.

  1. Top Left Clipping (Letters to the Editor - The Harvard Mleager):

    • This is a letter to the editor discussing the authenticity and dating of ancient statues, particularly the "Hermes of Praxiteles" in the Appolline of Melos. The writer, signing as "Post July 30, 1910," argues that the statue's dating is based on incorrect assumptions and modeling techniques. They mention that Harvard possesses a copy of the Vatican's statue, which they believe to be more accurate. The writer suggests that Harvard's copy should be re-examined to prove their point.
  2. Top Right Clipping (Copy from Gazette, June 7, 1912):

    • This article reports on the Fogg Museum receiving several artworks. The museum has been loaned four paintings by the daughters of the late Professor Charles Eliot Norton, including a notable watercolor by Dante Gabriel Rossetti titled "Before the Battle." Additionally, the museum has received an anonymous gift of a 16th-century Italian religious panel painting and several small drawings from the estate of Rev. Edward H. Hall.
  3. Bottom Clipping (Portrait Presentation):

    • This clipping announces the presentation of a portrait of Matthew Holworthy by the famous English portrait painter Sir Peter Lely to Harvard University. The portrait is considered a significant addition due to the rarity of such works in American collections. The portrait was a gift from J. Pierpont Morgan and will be on display at the museum during the summer, later moving to University Hall.

Overall, these clippings highlight the acquisition of valuable artworks, discussions on the authenticity of ancient sculptures, and the significance of rare art donations to Harvard University's collections.

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The image shows a collection of historical newspaper clippings related to art and artifacts at Harvard University.

  1. Top Left Clipping (Postmarked July 30, 1910):

    • The clipping is a letter to the editor of the Harvard Meleager.
    • The writer, who is concerned about the authenticity of ancient statues, specifically mentions the Hermes of Praxiteles and the Apollo of the Belvedere.
    • The letter argues that the Harvard Meleager statue is not an original Greek sculpture but a Roman copy, and that it is technically inferior to the Vatican's copy.
    • The writer suggests that the Harvard statue was made in the fourth century AD and is not as well-preserved as the Vatican copy.
    • The writer concludes by stating that the Harvard statue is not a genuine ancient statue and that the Vatican copy is superior in terms of preservation and authenticity.
  2. Top Right Clipping (Gazette, June 7, 1912):

    • This clipping describes the acquisition of paintings by the Fogg Museum at Harvard.
    • The museum received several paintings as a loan from the daughters of the late Professor Charles Eliot Norton.
    • The notable works include:
      • "Before the Battle" by Dante Gabriel Rossetti, a watercolor.
      • A Madonna and Child by Sano di Pietro.
      • A Venetian scene by Guaridi.
      • "Wise Men Christ" by William Blake.
    • Additionally, the museum received an anonymous gift of an Italian religious painting from the sixteenth century, depicting the Adoration of the Shepherds, and several drawings from the estate of Rev. Edward H. Hall.
  3. Bottom Right Clipping:

    • This clipping is about the acquisition of portraits of Lady and Sir Matthew Holworthy by the Fogg Museum.
    • These portraits were painted by the famous English portrait painter Sir Peter Lely and presented by J. Pierpont Morgan to Harvard University.
    • The portraits are of significant interest and were exhibited in the museum during the summer, after which the directors decided whether to keep them permanently or return them to Harvard College.
    • The clipping mentions that Sir Matthew Holworthy's portrait was the largest gift received by Harvard during the seventeenth century.

Overall, the clippings highlight the historical acquisitions and exhibitions of art at Harvard University, showcasing the university's commitment to preserving and displaying significant cultural artifacts.

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The image displays two distinct newspaper clippings, both related to art and history, from the early 20th century.

Left Clipping:

  • Title: "Letters to the Editor: The Harvard Meleager"
  • Date: Postmarked July 30, 1910
  • Content: The letter discusses the ancient statue known as the "Harvard Meleager," a marble copy of the original Greek statue. The author argues against the claims made by F.P. Stearns regarding the antiquity and accuracy of the statue. The writer asserts that the Harvard Meleager is not an original but a copy, and it is inferior in preservation to the Vatican copy. The author also points out technical issues, such as the addition of supports and the poor modeling of the head. Additionally, the writer mentions the existence of a better-preserved statue of the same subject in the Vatican, and questions the authenticity of the Harvard Meleager's provenance, suggesting it may have been made during the lifetime of Lysippos, the original sculptor.

Right Clipping:

  • Copy from Gazette, June 7, 1912:
    • Content: This article describes recent acquisitions by the Fogg Museum. The museum received a loan of paintings from the daughters of the late Professor Charles Eliot Norton, including works by Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Sano di Pietro, and William Blake. Additionally, an anonymous gift of a religious painting from the 16th century by an unknown artist, and several drawings from the estate of Rev. Edward H. Hall.

    • Portrait Presentation:

      • The Fogg Museum also received two portraits of interest: one of Lady and Sir Matthew Holworthy, painted by the renowned English portrait painter Sir Peter Lely. These portraits were presented by J. Pierpont Morgan to Harvard University. The portrait of Sir Matthew Holworthy is noted for its historical significance, having been painted during the 17th century and being a rare example of Sir Peter Lely's work.

The clippings together highlight the historical and artistic significance of the collections and acquisitions of the Fogg Museum, now part of Harvard Art Museums.

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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.

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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.

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The image shows a collection of aged and yellowed newspaper clippings and a typed note mounted on a sheet of paper. The clippings seem to relate to Harvard University and artworks connected to it.

  • The leftmost column is a letter to the editor titled "THE HARVARD MELEAGER" dated July 30, 1910. It discusses the ancient statues at Harvard, specifically the Meleager statue, and debates about its authenticity and history.

  • Above the central clipping, a small typed note strongly titled "Copy from Gazette, June 7, 1912," mentions the Fogg Museum receiving loans of artwork, including watercolors and religious paintings, referencing notable artists like Dante Gabriel Rossetti and William Blake.

  • Below the typed note and to the right, there is a dark, grainy photograph or reproduction of a portrait painting. The caption below it reads: "MATTHEW HOLWORTHY, PAINTED BY THE FAMOUS ENGLIS... PORTRAIT PAINTER, SIR PETER LELY, PRESENTED BY J. PIER... PONT MORGAN TO HARVARD UNIVERSITY."

  • Below the letter to the editor, another clipping dated July 30, 1910, discusses two paintings of interest to Harvard men that were hung in the Fogg Museum, specifically portraits of Lady and Sir Matthew Holworthy, describing their significance and history.

Overall, the image presents historical information and commentary related to artworks, sculptures, and portraits associated with Harvard University and its museum collections from the early 20th century.

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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.