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Fogg Art Museum Scrapbook, July 1924-April 1927

ARCH.2003.23, Rendition: 795092

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The image shows a page from a book or a publication. The page appears to be aged with a yellowed paper, suggesting it might be from an older source, possibly a museum bulletin or an academic journal.

The main content of the page is an article discussing the "The Thompson Aluminium Panel" used for the permanent preservation of pictures. The text explains the history of painting supports from wooden panels to canvas and the challenges faced when transferring paintings to new supports. The article mentions using a gesso surface for the foundation, which was found to be immune to heat and dampness.

There are also two images or illustrations on the page, labeled "The Crespi Bellini" in two different states. The first image shows the picture in a state of almost complete ruin, with hundreds of small pieces of paint loose from the background. The second image depicts the same picture in the process of transfer to a Thompson panel, showing the work of fastening in place the many loose pieces of paint.

At the bottom of the page, there is a smaller section with a headline "Fogg Museum Buys Demuths," indicating that the Fogg Museum in Cambridge, Massachusetts, has purchased watercolors by Charles Demuth. The details state that the sale was made through the Daniel Galleries.

The page also contains a margin note on the left side, mentioning "Prehistoric Finds," which seems to be a separate topic not directly related to the main content of the page. The overall appearance of the page and its content suggests that it is a page from a historical publication dealing with art preservation and museum acquisitions.

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This image shows an open scrapbook with pages that have a yellowish tint, indicating age. The central focus is a clipped article from the "Museum of Fine Arts Bulletin," dated February 1925, pasted onto the right page. The article discusses the preservation of paintings and features two black-and-white photographs of a damaged painting titled "The Crespi Bellini" before and during restoration. The text explains the process of transferring the painting to a Thompson panel for preservation.

On the left page, there are several other cut-out articles and notes, including one about "Prehistoric Finds" and another titled "The Thompson Aluminium Panel," which provides information about the panel used for preserving pictures. There is also a small note at the bottom right corner of the left page that mentions "Fogg Museum Buys Demuths," referring to the purchase of paintings by the Fogg Museum.

The scrapbook appears to be a collection of articles related to art restoration and museum acquisitions, likely compiled for research or educational purposes. The pages show signs of wear, with some edges slightly torn or damaged.

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This image shows an open, vintage scrapbook or album filled with aged, yellowed pages. Affixed to one page is a clipped article from the “Museum of Fine Arts Bulletin,” Volume XXIII, Number 5, dated February 1925.

The article, titled “The Thompson Aluminium Panel — For the Permanent Preservation of Pictures” and authored by U.S. Patent 670153, details a method for preserving and transferring ancient paintings using an aluminum panel developed by Herbert E. Thompson of the Department of Paintings at the Museum.

The article includes two black-and-white illustrations:

  • The left image shows “The Crespi Bellini as received by the Fogg Museum,” depicting the painting in its original deteriorated state.
  • The right image shows “The Crespi Bellini in process of transfer to a Thompson panel,” illustrating the painting being stabilized on the new aluminum support.

The text explains that traditional wooden panels and canvas are susceptible to warping and decay, while aluminum offers a permanent, durable, and non-reactive foundation. It describes the technical process of using heated aluminum plates at 400°F to transfer the paint layer from an old support to the new panel without damage. The article notes the success of this technique and mentions the “Crespi Bellini” as an example — a painting that had been nearly destroyed by fire and steam, but was saved and stabilized using Thompson’s method.

In the bottom right corner, a smaller clipping from “The Art News, Feb. 28, '25” announces: “Fogg Museum Buys Demuths” — indicating the Fogg Museum of Harvard University purchased four watercolors by Charles Demuth.

The overall document is a fascinating historical artifact from early 20th-century conservation science, preserved in a personal scrapbook. The paper’s age, stains, and slightly torn edges add to its archival character.


Key points summarized:

  • Publication: Museum of Fine Arts Bulletin, February 1925
  • Subject: Innovative aluminum panel technique for preserving and transferring old paintings
  • Key innovation: Herbert E. Thompson’s method using heated aluminum to salvage fragile artworks
  • Case study: “The Crespi Bellini” painting, rescued from near-total destruction
  • Bonus clipping: Announcement that the Fogg Museum acquired watercolors by Charles Demuth
  • Context: Reflects early 20th-century advances in art conservation and museum practices

This clipping documents a significant moment in art preservation history — a time when science and museum stewardship were merging to save cultural treasures.

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The image shows an open book with two pages visible. The left page contains text and images related to prehistoric finds, specifically mentioning a bath at Nemea and the discovery of three sections of a bath used by athletes. The right page features a white paper with black text and images, discussing the preservation of aluminum painting panels, including the transfer of a painting from a wooden panel to a Thompson panel and the challenges faced during this process.

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The image is of an open book with pages that contain text and images. The book appears to be a bulletin or journal, specifically the "Museum of Fine Arts Bulletin," dated February 1925, Volume XIII, Number 5. The pages are yellowed with age, indicating that the book is quite old.

On the left page, there is a section titled "PREHISTORIC FINDS." This section discusses the discovery of a bath at Nemea, which led to the unearthing of three sections of art used by the athletes who took part in the Nemean games. The text describes the bath as a plunge bath and mentions that rooms for sponge baths were also found. The text continues with details about the construction and materials used in the bath.

Below this section, there is another titled "The Thompson Aluminum Panel." This section discusses the use of aluminum panels for the preservation of paintings, specifically referencing the work of Mr. Herbert E. Thompson. It describes the process of transferring paintings to aluminum panels and the benefits of this method, such as durability and resistance to environmental factors.

On the right page, there are two images of paintings that appear to be in various stages of restoration or preservation. The text accompanying these images explains the process of transferring a painting to an aluminum panel, highlighting the steps involved and the advantages of this technique. The text mentions that the Fogg Museum of Harvard University has acquired a painting that was transferred to an aluminum panel.

At the bottom of the right page, there is a smaller section titled "Fogg Museum Buys Demuth," which briefly mentions the acquisition of four watercolors by Charles Demuth, the subjects of which were flowers and still life. The sale was facilitated through the Daniel Galleries.

The overall layout of the pages suggests a formal publication with structured sections, each dedicated to a specific topic related to art preservation and museum acquisitions. The text is dense and informative, aimed at an audience interested in the technical aspects of art conservation and museum practices.

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The image shows a page from the Museum of Fine Arts Bulletin, dated February 1925, Volume XXII, Number 3. The page is open, displaying text and illustrations related to art conservation and historical painting techniques.

Key Elements in the Image:

Text Content:

  1. Title and Context:

    • The page discusses the Thompson Aluminium Panel and its use for the permanent preservation of pictures. It references the Fogg Museum of Harvard University and its efforts in art conservation.
    • The text explains the historical use of gesso as a foundation for paintings and its advantages and disadvantages. It also describes the process of transferring paintings to new supports, such as the Thompson panel.
  2. Main Article:

    • The article is titled "The Thompson Aluminium Panel for the Permanent Preservation of Pictures" and is attributed to U.S.A. Patente 605053.
    • It details the method of using aluminium panels as a durable and stable support for paintings, highlighting their resistance to changes in temperature and humidity.
    • The text mentions the Fogg Museum acquiring a painting by Demuth, which was transferred to a Thompson panel.
  3. Additional Text:

    • On the left side, there is a section titled "Prehistoric Finds", discussing archaeological discoveries, including a bath at Nemrut Dagh in Asia Minor. This section appears to be a separate article or excerpt from another part of the bulletin.

Illustrations:

  1. Left Illustration:

    • A black-and-white photograph labeled "The Cezi Balliu", described as being received by the Fogg Museum. The image shows a group of people, possibly in a historical or ceremonial setting, though the details are not entirely clear due to the resolution.
  2. Right Illustration:

    • Another black-and-white photograph also labeled "The Cezi Balliu", this time noted as being in process of transfer to a Thompson panel. This image appears to depict the same scene as the left illustration but is likely a different photograph or a cropped version, possibly showing the painting before or during the transfer process.

Layout and Design:

  • The page has a classic, formal layout typical of early 20th-century publications. The text is typeset in a serif font, and the illustrations are placed adjacent to the relevant descriptive text.
  • The page includes a header with the title "MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS BULLETIN" and the issue details (February 1925, Vol. XXII, No. 3).
  • There is a small note at the bottom right corner mentioning "Fogg Museum Buys Demuth", indicating a recent acquisition.

Overall Impression:

The image captures a historical document that blends art conservation, archaeological findings, and museum activities. It reflects the early 20th-century interest in preserving and studying art, as well as the technological advancements of the time, such as the use of aluminium panels for painting support. The inclusion of both textual and visual elements provides a comprehensive view of the museum's work and the broader context of art preservation during that era.

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The image shows a page from an old book or magazine, with a newspaper clipping and a note pasted on top of it. The page is yellowed and worn, with a rough texture, suggesting that it is old and well-used.

  • Newspaper Clipping:
    • The clipping is from the Museum of Fine Arts Bulletin, dated February 1925.
    • It features two black-and-white photographs of paintings, one titled "The Crepus-Bulloni" and the other "The Crepus-Bulloni in process of transfer to a Thompson panel."
    • The text accompanying the photographs discusses the process of transferring paintings to a new panel using a Thompson panel, which was invented by the Fogg Museum.
    • The article highlights the benefits of this method, including the ability to preserve the original painting and create a more durable and long-lasting work of art.
  • Note:
    • The note is written in pencil and appears to be a comment or annotation made by someone who has read the article.
    • It is not clear what the note says, but it may be a personal observation or a question about the article.
  • Background:
    • The background of the image is a plain gray color, which helps to highlight the yellowed and worn appearance of the page.
    • The overall effect of the image is one of nostalgia and historical significance, suggesting that the page is a valuable and important artifact.

In summary, the image shows a page from an old book or magazine with a newspaper clipping and a note pasted on top of it. The clipping discusses the process of transferring paintings to a new panel using a Thompson panel, while the note appears to be a personal comment or question. The background of the image is a plain gray color, which helps to highlight the yellowed and worn appearance of the page.

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The image depicts a page from an old book or scrapbook, featuring two newspaper clippings. The left clipping is titled "The Thompson Aluminum Panel" and discusses the use of aluminum panels for painting. The right clipping is titled "Museum of Fine Arts Bulletin" and features two images of a painting, with text describing its restoration.

The page itself appears to be yellowed and worn, suggesting that it is an old document. The clippings are attached to the page using glue or tape, and there are some handwritten notes in the margins. Overall, the image suggests that the book or scrapbook is a collection of articles and clippings related to art and art history.

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The image depicts a vintage, open book with yellowed pages, featuring a page with two black-and-white photographs and accompanying text. The page is titled "MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS BULLETIN" and dated "February, 1925." The photographs are labeled "The Crepúsculo Panel" and appear to be images of an artwork or artifact, possibly a painting or sculpture, with a figure in the center.

The text on the page discusses the preservation of old pictures, specifically the Thompson Aluminum Panel, and the process of transferring paintings from one surface to another. The text is written in a formal, academic tone and includes technical details about the materials and methods used in the preservation process.

To the left of the main page, another page is visible, partially turned over, with a heading that reads "PREHISTORIC FINDS." The text on this page appears to be discussing archaeological discoveries, but the majority of the content is not visible.

The book is bound in a worn, tan-colored cover, and the pages are yellowed with age. The overall appearance of the book suggests that it is an old, rare, or historical publication, possibly related to art, archaeology, or museum studies. The background of the image is a plain gray color, which helps to highlight the details of the book and its contents.

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The image presents a vintage, open book with yellowed pages, featuring various articles and clippings. The book is positioned on a gray surface, with the left page facing upwards.

Left Page:

  • A partially visible article titled "PREHISTORIC FINDS" is situated at the top.
  • Below this, another article titled "The Thompson Aluminium Panel" discusses the preservation of pictures using aluminum panels.

Right Page:

  • A clipping from the "MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS BULLETIN" (February 1923) is centered on the page, featuring two black-and-white photographs of artworks.
  • The article describes the process of transferring a painting to a Thompson panel.
  • A small white note with handwritten text is placed below the clipping, reading "Fogg Museum Buys Demuths" and providing details about the purchase of watercolors by Charles Demuth.

Book Details:

  • The book's pages are yellowed and worn, indicating age.
  • The pages are filled with various articles, clippings, and notes, suggesting that the book is a collection of historical documents or a scrapbook.

Background:

  • The book is placed on a plain gray surface, which provides a neutral background for the image.

Overall, the image showcases a unique and fascinating collection of historical documents and artifacts, providing a glimpse into the past and the interests of the person who compiled this book.