Archives Scrapbooks

This image shows a fragment of a vintage newspaper, dated May 6, 1923, from the New York Herald. The paper is yellowed with age and shows signs of wear and tear — it is torn along the edges and has been mounted on a light blue archival backing sheet for preservation.

The headline reads:

CALUMNY CAMPAIGN MADE AGAINST HIM, DEMOTTE DECLARES

Below the headline, a subhead explains:

Paris Art Dealer, Charged With Selling Fakes in America, Brands Insinuations as Lies.

The article features a statement by M. George Demotte, a well-known Paris art dealer, who is defending himself against accusations that he sold counterfeit or restored statues to major American institutions — notably the Metropolitan Museum of New York and the Rockefeller collections.

Key points from the article include:

• Demotte denies selling “fakes,” calling the accusations “calumny.”
• He addresses specific claims, such as a statue of a seated king sold to the Met, which he says was broken and restored at the time of sale — and he announced this openly.
• He also discusses a statue of St. Paul bought by a collector, who demanded a replica made from a mold — a process Demotte explains as standard for detecting authenticity.
• He asserts that 115 statues sold to Mr. Rockefeller are “indisputably authentic,” though some required minor restorations.
• He mentions that American connoisseurs have already “done justice to these lying allegations.”
• He refers to the concurrent Vigorous case, involving M. Vigorous, a former manager at his New York branch, who is accused of possessing stolen manuscripts (valued at 1,200,000 francs) and whose legal proceedings may provide “sensational evidence” related to the Demotte sales.

The article reflects the intense art world controversy surrounding authenticity, restoration, and attribution in the early 20th century — particularly involving high-profile collections and international dealers.

The text is printed in a traditional serif font typical of early 20th-century newspapers, with the headline in bold, heavy lettering to attract attention.

Summary:
This is a preserved newspaper clipping from 1923 detailing Parisian art dealer George Demotte’s firm denial of charges that he sold forged or falsely represented sculptures to American museums and collectors — including the Met and the Rockefellers. He refutes “calumny,” defends his transparency about restorations, and links the controversy to a parallel legal case involving a former employee.

This image appears to be a fragment of a vintage newspaper article, dated June 6, 1923, from the New York Herald. The article is titled "CALUMNY CAMPAIGN MADE AGAINST HIM, DEMOTTE DECLARES," and it discusses a controversy involving a Paris art dealer named George Demotte. The text mentions that Demotte is accused of selling fakes in America and that he is defending himself against these allegations. The article also references a case involving a former employee, Joanny Vigoroux, and mentions the authenticity of statues sold to Mr. John D. Rockefeller. The content indicates a period of public scrutiny and legal disputes related to the authenticity of artworks and the integrity of the art trade. The piece seems to be part of a broader discussion about the reliability of art dealers and the accuracy of historical and cultural artifacts.

This image shows a torn newspaper clipping from the "New York Herald," dated Monday, June 6, 1923. The headline reads: "CALUMNY CAMPAIGN MADE AGAINST HIM, DEMOTTE DECLARES." The article discusses a Paris art dealer, M. George Demotte, who is charged with selling fake art objects in America. Demotte denies these charges and brands the insinuations as lies. The article details Demotte's response to the accusations, mentioning that he has sold statues to the Metropolitan Art Museum and to Mr. John D. Rockefeller. Demotte claims that the statues are authentic and that any restorations were minor and disclosed at the time of sale. The article also mentions the Rockefeller Statues and the Vigoroux case, which is related to the charges against Demotte. The clipping is torn and appears to be old, with some parts missing.

The image shows a page from a newspaper featuring a headline and several paragraphs of text. The headline reads "Calumny Campaign Made Against Him, DeMotte Declares Paris Art Dealer, Charged With Selling Fakes in America. Brands Insinuations as Lies." The article discusses accusations against M. George DeMotte, a well-known art dealer, who has been charged with selling fake art pieces in America. DeMotte denies these allegations and claims that they are lies. The article mentions that DeMotte has broken his silence for the first time since the accusations were made and has issued a statement refuting the charges. The article also mentions a case against DeMotte's lawyer, M. Vigoroux, who is accused of having taken manuscripts with him when he left DeMotte's employ in New York. The article suggests that the case against Vigoroux may provide sensational evidence that could influence the New York hearings.

The image shows a torn piece of paper with a headline and text written in black font. The headline reads "HERA DAY. JUNE 6. 1923. CALUMMY CAMPAIGN MADE AGAINST HIM, DEMOTTE DECLARES." The text is about a man named Demotte who is a Paris art dealer and is being accused of selling fake statues to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and other museums. Demotte denies these charges and is fighting back against them. The text also mentions that Demotte has been forced to remove the stain which dealers the world over regret has been forced upon their profession. The image is torn and has a few creases, and the background is a light blue color.

Description of the Image

The image depicts a scanned page from a newspaper dated May June 6, 1923, titled "HERA". The page features a prominent headline: "CALUMNY CAMPAIGN MADE AGAINST HIM, DEMOTTE DECLARES", which is the central focus of the article. The subheading reads: "Paris Art Dealer, Charged With Selling Fakes in America, Brands Insinuations as Lies."

Main Content:

The article discusses M. Demotte, a well-known Parisian art dealer, who has been accused of selling counterfeit artworks in the United States. The accusations involve statues and other artworks allegedly sold to prominent institutions and individuals, including the Metropolitan Art Museum of New York and John D. Rockefeller. Demotte has responded to these allegations, denying them vehemently and claiming they are part of a smear campaign against him.

Key points from the article include:

1. Accusations Against Demotte:

   • Demotte is accused of selling "fakes" to American museums and private collectors, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and John D. Rockefeller.
   • The article mentions that Demotte has been charged with selling counterfeit artworks, branding the insinuations as lies.

2. Demotte's Response:

   • Demotte has broken his silence after a month of refusing interviews.
   • He denies the accusations, stating that the artworks were authentic and that any restorations were disclosed at the time of sale.
   • He criticizes the campaign against him, calling it a "calumny campaign" and asserting that he has always been transparent about the condition of the artworks he sold.

3. Specific Allegations:

   • Statues of St. Paul: Demotte claims that the statues of St. Paul, which he sold to the Metropolitan Museum, were authentic and that any restorations were disclosed.
   • Rockefeller Statues: Demotte acknowledges selling 115 statues to Mr. Rockefeller, which he describes as "imprudently restored" but authentic. He denies that any fakes were involved.

4. Legal Proceedings:

   • The article mentions a Vigorous Case, referring to legal proceedings involving Joanny Vigouroux, a former manager of Demotte’s New York branch. Vigouroux is accused of having taken manuscripts valued at $120,000 from Demotte’s gallery in Paris.
   • Demotte’s lawyer, M. Vigouroux, is expected to appear in court to defend against these charges.

5. Context and Tone:

   • The article portrays Demotte as a respected figure in the art world who is fighting against what he perceives as unfair and malicious accusations.
   • It highlights the tension between Demotte and his accusers, emphasizing his insistence on the authenticity of the artworks he sold.

Visual Layout:

• The text is presented in a classic newspaper format, with dense paragraphs and clear headings.
• The headline is bold and prominently displayed at the top of the page.
• The article is divided into sections, with subheadings and quotes from Demotte and other sources.
• The page appears slightly worn, with visible creases and discoloration, suggesting it is an old or preserved copy.

Summary:

The image is a historical newspaper clipping from May June 6, 1923, reporting on a scandal involving the Parisian art dealer M. Demotte. The article details accusations of selling counterfeit artworks to prominent American institutions and individuals, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and John D. Rockefeller. Demotte denies these allegations, claiming they are part of a smear campaign and asserting the authenticity of the artworks he sold. The article also mentions ongoing legal proceedings involving Demotte’s former manager, Joanny Vigouroux, who is accused of embezzlement. The tone of the article reflects the tension and controversy surrounding the case.

The image presents a newspaper clipping from June 6, 1923, featuring the headline "CALUMNY CAMPAIGN MADE AGAINST HIM, DEMOTTE DECLARES." The article discusses the charges brought against M. George Demotte, a Paris art dealer, for selling fakes in America. It highlights the efforts of Mr. John D. Rockefeller to remove the stain on the world of dealers and the subsequent charges against M. Demotte. The article also mentions the Vigoroux case, which is closely allied with the charges against Demotte.

Key Points:

• Headline: CALUMNY CAMPAIGN MADE AGAINST HIM, DEMOTTE DECLARES
• Article Topic: Charges against M. George Demotte for selling fakes in America
• Notable Figures:
  • M. George Demotte: Paris art dealer
  • Mr. John D. Rockefeller: Efforts to remove the stain on the world of dealers
• Case Mentioned: Vigoroux case, closely allied with the charges against Demotte

Summary:

The newspaper clipping reports on the charges against M. George Demotte, a Paris art dealer, for selling fakes in America. The article highlights the efforts of Mr. John D. Rockefeller to remove the stain on the world of dealers and mentions the Vigoroux case, which is closely allied with the charges against Demotte.

The image presents a newspaper clipping from June 6, 1923, featuring an article titled "CALUMNY CAMPAIGN MADE AGAINST HIM, DEMOTTE DECLARES." The clipping is torn and worn, with some sections missing. The article discusses a controversy surrounding M. Demotte, who has been accused of selling fake art pieces. Demotte denies the allegations, stating that he has been subjected to a "calumny campaign" and that the accusations are false.

The article also mentions that Demotte has sold several pieces to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, including a statue of St. Paul, which was purchased for $120,000. However, it is unclear whether these pieces are authentic or not.

Overall, the image provides insight into a historical controversy surrounding the art world and highlights the importance of verifying the authenticity of art pieces.

The image is a scanned or photographed copy of a newspaper article from June 6, 1923. The article is titled "CALUMNY CAMPAIGN MADE AGAINST HIM, DEMOTTE DECLARES" and appears to be discussing a controversy surrounding an art dealer named M. Demotte.

Key Features:

• Newspaper Clipping: The article is a clipping from a newspaper, likely the New York Herald, as indicated by the visible masthead.
• Date: The date of the article is June 6, 1923.
• Title: The title of the article is "CALUMNY CAMPAIGN MADE AGAINST HIM, DEMOTTE DECLARES."
• Content: The article discusses a controversy surrounding M. Demotte, a Paris art dealer, who has been accused of selling fake artworks in America.
• Torn Edges: The newspaper clipping has torn edges, suggesting that it was ripped from the original newspaper.
• Background: The background of the image is a light blue color, which may be a mounting or display surface for the clipping.

Overall Impression:

The image presents a historical newspaper article that provides insight into a past controversy surrounding an art dealer. The torn edges and aged appearance of the clipping suggest that it is an original document from the time period, rather than a modern reproduction.

The image presents a vintage newspaper clipping, likely from the New York Herald, dated June 6, 1923. The article's headline reads: "CALUMNY CAMPAIGN MADE AGAINST HIM, DEMOTTE DECLARES."

Newspaper Clipping Details:

• Date: June 6, 1923
• Headline: "CALUMNY CAMPAIGN MADE AGAINST HIM, DEMOTTE DECLARES"
• Content: The article discusses a controversy surrounding M. George Demotte, a Paris art dealer accused of selling fake art in America. Demotte responds to these allegations, denying them and stating that he has been a victim of a calumny campaign.

Visual Description:

• The clipping is torn and worn, with visible signs of aging.
• It is placed on a light blue background, which provides a subtle contrast to the yellowed newspaper.
• The overall appearance suggests that the clipping has been carefully preserved and is now being displayed or stored for historical purposes.