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Fogg Art Museum Scrapbook, January 1900-September 1920

ARCH.2003.21, Rendition: 789993

Qwen, Qwen/Qwen2.5-VL-7B-Instruct

The image appears to be a newspaper clipping or a magazine article about an exhibition of William Blake's books at the Fogg Art Museum. The article is dated January 15, 1920, and is titled "EXHIBITION OF BLAKE'S BOOKS." The text provides information about the exhibition, including its dates (January 15 to January 27) and mentions that it is the complete exhibition recently exhibited at the Grolier Club in New York, augmented by various Boston items.

The article emphasizes the importance of viewing Blake's works in the originals due to the variations in each separate volume. It also notes that this exhibit is the largest that has ever been gathered together, surpassing the Grolier Club exhibition of 1905, and suggests that no such collection will ever be seen again.

The article mentions that Blake is better known as a poet, highlighting his work "The Valley of Dry Bones" (Ezekiel). It also provides information about Blake's literary and artistic contributions, including his first volume of "Poetical Sketches" in 1783 and his "illuminated printing" with "Songs of Innocence" in 1789.

The image also features a black-and-white illustration labeled "The Valley of Dry Bones" (Ezekiel), which appears to be a depiction from one of Blake's works. The illustration is framed by a decorative border, and the page is enclosed in a protective sleeve. The overall tone of the article is informative and academic, reflecting the cultural and literary significance of William Blake's works at the time.

Qwen, Qwen/Qwen2.5-VL-72B-Instruct

This image is a page from the Harvard Alumni Bulletin, dated January 15, 1920. The page is titled "EXHIBITION OF BLAKE'S BOOKS" and discusses an exhibition of William Blake's books at the Fogg Art Museum, running from January 15 to January 27.

The page includes a detailed black-and-white illustration titled "The Valley of Dry Bones" (Ezekiel). The text below the illustration provides information about the exhibition, noting that it is virtually the complete exhibition recently shown at the Grolier Club in New York and will be augmented by various Boston items. It highlights Blake's significance as a poet and an artist, mentioning his "Poetical Sketches" (1783) and "Songs of Innocence" (1789). The text also discusses the importance of seeing Blake's works in the original, as he made great variations in each separate volume.

The page is mounted on a light brown backing, and the edges of the backing show some wear and tear. The text is in two columns, with the illustration placed between them.

Qwen, qwen.qwen3-vl-235b-a22b

This image shows a preserved, aged newspaper or magazine clipping mounted on a brown, textured backing sheet, likely for archival purposes. The clipping is from the Harvard Alumni Bulletin, dated January 15, 1920, and announces an “Exhibition of Blake’s Books.”

Key visual elements:

  • Headline: “EXHIBITION OF BLAKE’S BOOKS” is prominently displayed in a black rectangular banner at the top. Below it, “January 15, 1920.” and “Harvard Alumni Bulletin.” are handwritten in cursive script.
  • Central Illustration: Beneath the headline is a large, monochrome illustration titled “‘The Valley of Dry Bones’ (Ezekiel).” This is a detailed, dark, and dramatic engraving in William Blake’s signature style, depicting a biblical scene with skeletal figures and a central, haloed figure (presumably God or Ezekiel) amidst a desolate, rocky landscape.
  • Text: Below the illustration, a detailed article discusses the exhibition. Key points from the text include:
    • The Fogg Art Museum at Harvard will host the exhibition from January 15 to January 27, 1920.
    • It is described as virtually the complete exhibition recently shown at the Grolier Club in New York, possibly augmented by Boston items.
    • The article emphasizes the importance of seeing Blake’s original works, as they cannot be adequately reproduced.
    • It notes this is likely the largest gathering of Blake’s books ever assembled, surpassing the famous 1905 Grolier Club exhibition.
    • It discusses Blake’s significance as both a poet and an artist, highlighting his development of “illuminated printing” — engraving poems and decorations on copper, then adding color by hand.

Physical Condition:

  • The clipping paper is off-white and shows signs of age, with some discoloration, stains, and creases.
  • The backing sheet is a solid brown paper or cardstock, with some wear and tears along the edges.
  • The entire item appears to be protected under a clear plastic sleeve or encased in a frame, as suggested by the slight glare and the white matboard visible around the edges.

Overall Impression:

The image documents a significant cultural event from 1920, celebrating the life and work of the Romantic poet and artist William Blake. It is presented as a historical artifact, highlighting the scholarly appreciation of Blake’s unique “illuminated books” and their growing recognition in major institutions like Harvard’s Fogg Art Museum. The preserved nature of the clipping underscores its value as a record of art history.

Amazon, amazon.nova-lite-v1:0

The image shows a page from a bulletin or magazine with a heading that reads "Exhibition of Blake's Books" and a date of "January 15, 1920." The page features a black-and-white illustration of a scene from one of William Blake's works, possibly "The Valley of Dry Bones" (Ezekiel). The text on the page discusses an exhibition of Blake's books and prints at the Fogg Art Museum, which was held from January 15 to January 27, 1920. The exhibition was described as the largest collection of Blake's works ever gathered together, surpassing even the famous Grolier Club exhibition of 1905. The page also mentions that Blake's works are finding final resting places in public libraries and museums, and that his poems on copper, surrounded by decorations, are now included in every anthology of poetry.

Amazon, amazon.nova-pro-v1:0

The image shows a page from a book that is placed inside a transparent plastic cover. The page is old and has a brownish tint, with some creases and stains. The page has a title at the top that reads "EXHIBITION OF BLAKE'S BOOKS." Below the title, there is a date mentioned, "January 15, 1920." There is also a black-and-white illustration of a person in the middle of the page. The text on the page is written in a formal style and describes an exhibition of William Blake's books. The text mentions that the exhibition is the largest that has ever been gathered together and that it surpasses the famous Grolier Club exhibition of 1905. The text also mentions that the exhibition will be held at the Fogg Art Museum and that it will feature the complete exhibition recently exhibited at the Grolier Club in New York.

Amazon, us.amazon.nova-2-lite-v1:0

The image shows a page from a bulletin or publication titled "Exhibition of Blake's Books", dated January 15, 1920, and associated with the Harvard Alumni Bulletin. The page features an article discussing an upcoming exhibition of William Blake's books, organized by the Fogg Art Museum. The exhibition is scheduled to take place from January 15 to January 27, and it will include a nearly complete collection of Blake's works, previously exhibited at the Grolier Club in New York.

Key Elements of the Image:

  1. Title and Date:

    • The title at the top reads: "EXHIBITION OF BLAKE'S BOOKS".
    • Below the title, there is a handwritten note that reads: "January 15, 1920" and "Harvard Alumni Bulletin".
  2. Illustration:

    • A black-and-white illustration is prominently displayed in the center of the page. The illustration depicts a dramatic, surreal scene with a figure emerging from a cave or hollow structure. The figure appears to be holding a staff or rod and is surrounded by dark, shadowy forms. The artwork is labeled as "The Valley of Dry Bones (Ezekiel)", indicating it is one of Blake's illustrations, likely from his illuminated books.
  3. Text Content:

    • The article discusses the significance of the exhibition, noting that it comes between two major events: the Linell sale and the removal of Blake's works from public libraries and museums.
    • It highlights Blake's dual role as both a poet and an artist, emphasizing that his poems can be reprinted but adequate reproductions of his paintings have never been made.
    • The article stresses the importance of seeing the original works, as Blake often made significant variations in each separate volume.
    • It also mentions that this exhibition is likely the largest collection of Blake's works ever gathered, surpassing the famous Grolier Club exhibition of 1905.
    • The text provides historical context about Blake's work, noting his ranking among the Romantics and his innovative techniques, such as engraving his poems on copper plates and adding colored ink impressions.
  4. Design and Layout:

    • The page has a clean, formal layout typical of early 20th-century publications.
    • The text is typeset in a serif font, and the illustration is centered and framed, drawing attention to its artistic value.
    • The page appears to be part of a larger document or bulletin, as suggested by the visible edges of the paper and the protective sleeve in which it is stored.

Overall Impression:

The image conveys a sense of historical and artistic significance, focusing on William Blake's contributions to literature and art. The combination of the handwritten date, the formal title, the evocative illustration, and the detailed text underscores the importance of the exhibition and Blake's enduring legacy. The page serves as both an announcement and a celebration of Blake's work.

OpenAI, gpt-5-nano-2025-08-07

The image shows an old, archival flyer mounted on brown backing. It’s an exhibition notice titled “EXHIBITION OF BLAKE’S BOOKS” in a bordered box, with a black-and-white engraving labeled “The Valley of Dry Bones (Ezekiel)” in the center. Below is a column of dense text describing the exhibition (likely at the Fogg Art Museum) and its dates. There are handwritten notes above the illustration and the paper is aged and slightly worn around the edges. The overall look is vintage and scholarly.

OpenAI, gpt-4.1-mini-2025-04-14

The image shows a vintage printed page mounted on a slightly larger, brown backing sheet. The page is titled "EXHIBITION OF BLAKE'S BOOKS," with handwritten notes above the title including a date, "January 15, 1920," and "Harvard Alumni Bulletin." Below the title, there is a black and white illustration labeled "The Valley of Dry Bones" (Ezekiel), depicting a surreal scene where a large skeletal hand reaches down towards a group of people standing in a barren landscape.

Beneath the illustration, there is a block of printed text announcing an exhibition of William Blake's books at the Fogg Art Museum from January 15 to January 27. The text provides background on Blake's significance as an artist and poet, notes about the exhibit, and information about the importance of seeing his original works. The text also references Blake's rank among the Romantic poets and some details about his books and prints. The page has a formal, archival look, suggesting it is a historical document related to the art exhibition.

OpenAI, gpt-4o-2024-11-20

This is an image of a vintage publication or promotional flyer titled "Exhibition of Blake's Books", with a handwritten note reading "January 15, 1926. Harvard Alumni Bulletin". The center of the page features a black-and-white reproduction of an artwork titled "The Valley of Dry Bones" (Ezekiel), attributed to William Blake. The artwork depicts a dramatic, otherworldly scene, likely inspired by the biblical story, with skeletal and human-like figures rising from the ground and a divine or celestial figure above.

The text below, formatted in a column-style layout, provides details about an upcoming exhibition of William Blake's books at the Fogg Art Museum, held from January 15 to January 27. It describes the exhibition as showcasing a nearly complete set of Blake's work, including illuminated printings and variations of his original masterpieces. The exhibition's significance is highlighted, stating it to be one of the largest collections of Blake's work ever assembled.

The entire content is printed on aged paper with visible wear and is bordered by a protective sheet or mounting. The page layout and typography are characteristic of early 20th-century print styles.

OpenAI, gpt-4

This image shows an aged document titled "EXHIBITION OF BLAKE'S BOOKS January 15 1926." The document, which seems to be a page from an exhibition catalog or brochure, is dedicated to showcasing the works of William Blake.

The page appears to be mounted on a larger, slightly tattered paper with a burnt orange or brownish hue. The document itself exhibits signs of aging, like discoloration and minor tears on the edges. The top part of the document features an illustration captioned "The Valley of Dry Bones" (Ezekiel), which is a reference to an artwork depicting a scene from the biblical Book of Ezekiel.

Below the illustration, there is typewritten text that provides context for the exhibition. It mentions that the exhibition will be held at the Fogg Art Museum and describes the significance of the books on display. The text highlights how Blake, primarily known for his poetry, also received recognition for his art, though reproductions of his paintings were not widely seen at that time.

The passage speaks of Blake's importance both as a poet and as an artist. It explains that this exhibition is probably the largest that has ever been put together of Blake's works, referencing its scope in comparison to the collection held at the famous Grolier Club in the fall of 1905. The document seems to promote the exhibition as a unique event, stressing that such a comprehensive collection might never be seen together again.

This piece serves as a historical record, not only of Blake's work but also of the early 20th-century appreciation for his contributions to art and literature.