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Fogg Art Museum Scrapbook, January 1900-September 1920

ARCH.2003.21, Rendition: 789945

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The image is of a newspaper clipping from the Worcester Telegram dated December 23, 1916. The clipping includes three articles:

  1. Fogg Art Museum: This article reports that the Fogg Art Museum has acquired an oil painting by John Singer Sargent, titled "Lake O'Hara." The painting depicts a serene lake in British Columbia with mountains in the background. It is a memorial to Mr. Betton's mother, Mrs. Louisa C. Betton. Additionally, the museum received a watercolor painting by Mr. Sargent as a gift from a group of people.

  2. Venetian Works in America: This article reviews a book by Bernard Berenson titled "Venetian Painting in America: The Fifteenth Century." The reviewer notes that Berenson's book is a significant contribution to the study of Italian art in American collections. The book is praised for its scholarly approach and the extensive research that went into cataloging Venetian paintings in various American museums and private collections. The reviewer also highlights the importance of Berenson's work in understanding the chronological order and attribution of these paintings.

  3. Errors of Berenson: This article critiques Bernard Berenson's attribution of a painting in the Worcester Museum. The author argues that Berenson incorrectly attributed a work to the school of Bellini, which the author believes is a variant of a painting by another artist. The article provides a detailed analysis of the painting's style, technique, and historical context to support this claim. The author also discusses Berenson's broader approach to art criticism and attribution, suggesting that his methods are sometimes flawed and that his influence has led to misunderstandings in the art world.

The clipping provides a snapshot of art criticism and museum acquisitions in the early 20th century, highlighting the debates and scholarly discussions surrounding art attribution and collection.

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The document is a collection of articles and notes published on December 23, 1916. The first article discusses the Fogg Art Museum acquiring an impressive landscape painting, 'Lake O'Hara,' by John Singer Sargent, gifted by Edward D. H. Bettens in memory of his mother, Louise E. Hettens. The second article, titled 'Venetian Works in America,' critiques Bernard Berenson's book on Venetian painters, praising his insights but noting some oversights and personal biases. The third article, 'Errors of Berenson,' further criticizes Berenson's attributions of specific artworks, suggesting that his judgments may be influenced by personal preferences rather than objective analysis. The final note mentions the attribution of a portrait of a boy to a pupil of Velasquez, with the original painting possibly by Murillo, highlighting the complexities of art attribution.

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The image contains a newspaper clipping from December 23, 1916, featuring articles related to art and art criticism. Here's a detailed summary:

Left Side of the Clipping:

Acquisitions by the Fogg Art Museum:

  • Title: Fogg Art Museum
  • The Fogg Art Museum has acquired two notable items:
    • A painting from the Class of 1873, representing an impressive landscape of John Singer Sargent’s Lake O'Hara in British Columbia. This painting is a memorial to Mr. Bettens' mother, Mrs. Louis E. Bettens.
    • A gift from a group of individuals, consisting of watercolors by Mr. Sargent, also painted near Lake O'Hara.

Review of Bernard Berenson's New Book:

  • Title: Venetian Works in America
  • Author: By Royal Cortissoz
  • The article reviews Berenson's newly published book, "Venetian Painters of the Renaissance with an Index to their Works."
  • The book is noted for its precise and informative content on Venetian art collections in America.
  • Berenson's approach to art history is praised for its clarity and insight, especially his ability to differentiate the styles and contributions of various artists.
  • The book includes detailed discussions of artworks by major Venetian painters such as Giovanni Bellini, Giorgione, Titian, Tintoretto, and Veronese, and their presence in American collections.
  • Cortissoz highlights the value of Berenson’s work in educating readers about the Venetian masters and their influence.

Right Side of the Clipping:

Criticism of Berenson’s Work:

  • Title: Errors of Berenson
  • Author: By Philip L. Goodwin
  • The article critiques Berenson's attributions of paintings, specifically focusing on works in the Worcester Museum.
  • Goodwin argues that Berenson has incorrectly attributed a painting by Bellini, which he claims should be credited to another artist.
  • He details specific errors and inconsistencies in Berenson’s descriptions and attributions.
  • Goodwin also mentions that while Berenson's work is generally respected, some of his attributions are incorrect, and he provides evidence from other art historians to support his claims.

Letter to the Editor:

  • Title: Correspondence
  • Subject: Further discussion on Berenson's attributions
  • The letter from Percival J. Chavannes of Worcester, dated December 22, 1916, supports Goodwin’s critique, adding more examples of errors in Berenson's attributions related to the works of Lorenzo Lotto and other Renaissance artists.

In summary, the clipping presents both a review and a critique of Bernard Berenson's contributions to art history, along with news of recent acquisitions by the Fogg Art Museum.

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The image shows a page from a newspaper or magazine from December 23, 1916. The page is divided into two main articles:

  1. Left Side: "Fogg Art Museum" and "Venetian Works in America"

    • Fogg Art Museum:

      • The article announces the acquisition of an exceptionally fine and impressive landscape in oil by John Singer Sargent, titled "Lake O'Hara," which depicts British Columbia's mountains. This painting was a gift from Mrs. Louise E. Bettens, the mother of Edward D. Bettens, who was part of the class of 1873.
      • The article also mentions the acquisition of a group of watercolors by Mr. Sargent, painted near Lake O'Hara.
    • Venetian Works in America:

      • This article discusses Bernard Berenson's new book on fifteenth-century pictures in American collections, titled "Venetian Painting in America."
      • It highlights Berenson's extensive knowledge and interest in Venetian art, particularly the works of Giovanni Bellini, which he has studied for many years.
      • The article mentions the book's focus on the subject of Venetian art and its significance, with Berenson's unique insights into the works of artists like Giovanni Bellini, Titian, and Giorgione.
  2. Right Side: "Errors of Berenson"

    • This article is a critique of Bernard Berenson's book, written by Mr. Gentner, who takes exception to Berenson's description of a work in the Worcester Museum.
    • Mr. Gentner argues that Berenson's descriptions of the painting, "The London Madonna," are incorrect, particularly regarding the child's hand and the style of the painting.
    • He criticizes Berenson's tendency to generalize and dismiss other opinions, claiming that Berenson's interpretations are sometimes flawed and lack sufficient evidence.
    • The article also mentions specific examples of Berenson's errors and discusses the broader implications for art history and the study of Venetian painting.

The page is a blend of informative and critical articles related to art history, specifically focusing on the works of John Singer Sargent and Bernard Berenson.

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The image contains two newspaper clippings from the Worcester Museum's publication, dated December 23, 1916.

  1. Top Clipping (Left Side):

    • Title: "Fogg Art Museum"
    • The article discusses the acquisition of a painting by John Singer Sargent, titled "Lake O'Hara, British Columbia," by the Fogg Art Museum. The painting was gifted by the class of 1873 of the Fogg Art Museum and is a memorial to the mother of Edward D. Bettens, one of the class members. The painting was painted near Lake O'Hara and depicts a mountainous landscape.
  2. Top Clipping (Right Side):

    • Title: "Venetian Works in America"
    • The article reviews Bernard Berenson's new book, "Fifteenth Century Masters in American Collections." It discusses Berenson's extensive knowledge and the book's aim to cover Venetian art from the fifteenth century. The text highlights Berenson's meticulous study of artworks and his method of cataloging them, mentioning specific pieces and collections. The review praises the book for its comprehensive nature and Berenson's critical insights, though it also notes some discrepancies and criticisms by other experts.
  3. Bottom Clipping:

    • Title: "Errors of Berenson"
    • The article discusses Berenson's recent book and some criticisms by Mr. G. E. Gompers. It notes that Berenson's descriptions of artworks have been criticized for their inaccuracy and subjectivity. The article includes specific examples of Berenson's errors in describing works by artists such as Giovanni Bellini and Lorenzo Lotto. It also touches on Berenson's interpretation of works by Manet and Degas, mentioning a personal correspondence with Mr. Gompers and other critics. The article concludes by asserting that Berenson's errors do not diminish his overall contribution to art history.

Overall, the clippings provide a snapshot of the art world's discussions on acquisitions, art criticism, and the publication of art historical texts in 1916.

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The image depicts a newspaper clipping from the Worcester Art Museum dated December 23, 1916. The clipping is divided into two main sections.

  1. Left Section (Fogg Art Museum):

    • Title: "Through the generosity of Mr. Edward D. Bettens, of the class of 1873, the Fogg Art Museum has acquired an exceptionally fine and interesting landscape in oil by John Singer Sargent."
    • Details: The painting is titled "Lake O'Hara" and is a memorial of Mr. Bettens' mother. It represents British Columbia mountains. Another painting by Sargent, "A Watercolor," is also noted as being acquired by the Fogg Museum.
  2. Right Section (Venetian Works in America and Errors of Berenson):

    • Venetian Works in America (Bernard Berenson's Book):

      • The article discusses Bernard Berenson's new book titled "Fifteenth Century Masters in American Collections." It notes Berenson's interest in the subject, his significant contributions to art history, and his methodical approach.
      • The book is described as covering Venetian art and the Venetian painters, including Giovanni Bellini, Titian, and Tintoretto, among others.
    • Errors of Berenson (Critique by Mr. Gentry):

      • Mr. Gentry takes exception to some aspects of Berenson's book, particularly his description of a work by Bellini at the Worcester Museum.
      • Gentry criticizes Berenson's misinterpretation of the work's style, stating that Berenson's descriptions are overly subjective and lack factual accuracy.
      • Gentry argues that Berenson's portrayal of the artwork's quality and context is flawed and that his interpretations often stray from the objective assessment of the piece.

The clipping includes a mix of appreciative notices and critical reviews regarding the artworks and Berenson’s book.

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The image depicts a page from an old newspaper, dated December 23, 1916. The page contains three sections with articles discussing art and art criticism.

  1. Left Section: This part appears to be from "Fogg Art Museum," indicating the acquisition of a landscape painting by John Singer Sargent, depicting Lake O'Hara in British Columbia. The painting was donated by Edward D. Bettens and serves as a memorial to his mother, Louise E. Bettens. Another acquisition mentioned is several watercolors painted by Sargent near Lake O'Hara.

  2. Middle Section: Titled "Venetian Works In America," this section pertains to Bernard Berenson's new book on Venetian paintings by 15th-century masters found in American collections. The article elaborates on Berenson's approach to cataloging and evaluating artworks, emphasizing his thorough research on attributions and styles. It mentions various collections and museums where these Venetian works can be found, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

  3. Right Section: Headlined "Errors Of Berenson," this article involves criticism of Berenson's descriptions of artworks. It includes a letter from Mr. J. Gentner in Worcester, expressing disagreement with Berenson's analysis and interpretation. Gentner argues that Berenson's appraisal of a particular work in the Worcester Museum misleads readers about its characteristics and origin.

The entire page has aged, giving it a yellowish-brown tint, indicative of old paper. The edges are worn and slightly damaged, showing signs of tearing and fraying. Handwritten notes can be observed at the top of the middle section, possibly indicating the source, "Transcript," and the headline of the right section. The text is densely packed, with the articles formatted in narrow columns typical of early 20th-century newspapers.

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This image displays an old newspaper clipping with two main articles. The top header has faded ink text that reads "Fogg Art Museum," with a date written by hand, "Dec. 23, '16" indicating it is from December 23, 1916.

The first article is titled "Venetian Works in America" and discusses various Venetian art pieces present in different American collections, specifically mentioning certain places and collectors.

The second article is titled "Errors of Berenson," highlighted by a subheading that says "Mr. Geer Takes Exception to His Misleading Descriptions of a Work in the Worcester Museum." This article critically examines the descriptions and attributions provided by the art historian Bernard Berenson regarding specific artworks.

The text is dense with typographical characteristics of historical newspapers, such as justified columns and serif fonts. You can also notice discoloration likely due to paper aging, which suggests the article is of considerable historical value. The overall condition of the paper is good, but there is some wear, indicating it has been preserved for a significant amount of time.

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The image shows a transparent sleeve containing three newspaper or magazine clippings, all dating from around December 1916, based on the handwritten notes and printed dates. The clippings are arranged vertically side by side.

  1. On the left is a clipping titled "FOGG ART MUSEUM" dated Dec. 23, 1916. It discusses the acquisition of a landscape oil painting by John Singer Sargent, depicting Lake O'Hara in British Columbia. The painting was acquired through the generosity of Mr. Edward D. Bettens, from the class of 1873, in memory of his mother Mrs. Louise E. Bettens. The article also notes the Fogg Museum received another gift, one of the watercolors that Mr. Sargent painted around the same time near Lake O'Hara.

  2. The middle clipping, titled "VENETIAN WORKS IN AMERICA" and dated approximately Dec. 29, 1916, is a transcript about Bernard Berenson’s new book on Venetian paintings held in American collections. It critiques Berenson's views on Venetian art, particularly referring to Giovanni Bellini and other contemporaries. The article discusses the approach Berenson takes towards Venetian painters, the collections in American museums, and the author's perspective on Berenson’s opinions.

  3. The clipping on the right, titled "ERRORS OF BERENSON," dated Dec. 23, 1916, is a response by Philip J. Gentner taking exception to Berenson's misleading description of a work in the Worcester Museum. It critiques Berenson's attribution related to Bellini and his interpretation of various paintings, including the London Madonna, and expresses disagreement with Berenson’s assessments. The tone is detailed and somewhat formal, addressing art historical debate.

The clippings are yellowed and aged, typical of old paper, and have handwritten notes at the top and in margins identifying dates and annotations related to the content. The clippings appear to be carefully preserved within the sleeve.

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The image depicts a page from a newspaper or magazine dated December 23, 1916, featuring two distinct articles side by side. Here is a detailed description:

Left Article: "Fogg Art Museum"

  • Title: "Fogg Art Museum"
  • Date: December 23, 1916
  • Content:
    • The article discusses a recent acquisition by the Fogg Art Museum, specifically an impressive landscape painting by John Singer Sargent, titled The Mountains Lake O'Hara in British Columbia.
    • The painting is described as a memorial to Mr. Edward D. Bettens' mother, Mrs. Louise E. Bettens.
    • The Fogg Museum also acquired another work, The People, One of the Water Colors as a Gift from a Group of People, painted at the same time near Lake O'Hara by Mr. Sargent.
    • The article highlights the generosity of Mr. Edward D. Bettens, who donated the Sargent painting as part of the Class of 1874.

Right Article: "Errors of Berenson"

  • Title: "Errors of Berenson"
  • Content:
    • This article critiques the work of Bernard Berenson, a prominent art historian and critic, focusing on his book The Venetian Painters of the Renaissance.
    • The author, identified as Mr. Genter, takes exception to Berenson's methods and conclusions, particularly regarding attributions and interpretations of Venetian art.
    • Key points of criticism include:
      • Attributions: Mr. Genter disputes Berenson's claims about certain paintings, arguing that Berenson often misattributes works or makes unfounded assertions.
      • Methodology: The article criticizes Berenson's approach, suggesting that his judgments are based more on subjective opinions than rigorous scholarship.
      • Examples: Specific examples are cited, such as Berenson's treatment of works by Giovanni Bellini, Titian, and others, where the author argues that Berenson's interpretations are flawed or overly speculative.
      • Personal Critique: The author expresses strong disapproval of Berenson's style, describing it as "self-accepting" and "haughty," and accuses him of being overly confident in his opinions without sufficient evidence.
    • The article concludes with a call for more rigorous and objective analysis in art criticism, suggesting that Berenson's work has misled the public and contributed to a lack of clarity in art historical discourse.

General Observations:

  • Layout: The page is formatted in a classic newspaper style, with two columns of text. The left column is titled "Fogg Art Museum," and the right column is titled "Errors of Berenson."
  • Typography: The text is printed in a serif font, typical of early 20th-century newspapers. The headings are bold and centered, drawing attention to the article titles.
  • Context: The articles reflect the cultural and intellectual climate of 1916, focusing on art acquisitions and critiques of prominent art historians. The tone is formal and analytical, typical of contemporary art journalism.

This page offers a glimpse into early 20th-century art criticism and museum acquisitions, highlighting both the celebration of new artworks and the rigorous debate surrounding art historical scholarship.