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Fogg Art Museum Scrapbook, January 1928-November 1929

ARCH.2003.24, Rendition: 796234

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The image is a photograph of a newspaper clipping from "The Boston Herald" dated November 19, 1928, containing an article titled "Daniel C. French Statuary Will Escape the Scrap Heap." The article discusses the fate of Daniel Chester French's famous allegorical sculptures, which were originally part of the Boston Post Office Building. The text mentions that these sculptures were in danger of being scrapped due to their age and weathering, but there was a movement to save them by placing them in museums or other suitable locations.

The article highlights the opinions of various individuals, including the Harvard Museum Director, who emphasized the importance of preserving these sculptures as valuable examples of American art. The text also includes a photograph of one of French's sculptures, titled "Science controlling the forces of electricity and steam," which is shown decorating a corner of the old Federal building. The article concludes with a statement from Harvard University, expressing its willingness to accept the sculptures as part of its collection due to their historical and artistic significance.

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This image is a page from the Boston Herald dated November 19, 1925, featuring an article titled "Daniel C. French Statuary Will Escape the Scrap Heap." The article discusses the efforts to save Daniel Chester French's sculptures from being scrapped. The Harvard Museum Director expresses that it will be an honor to shelter such valuable examples of American art.

The article mentions that French's famous allegorical sculptures, which are ornaments of the Boston postoffice building and landmarks of Post Office Square, were in danger of being consigned to the public dump. However, the trustees and directors of the Boston Museum of Fine Arts were still doubtful about whether they could accept these sculptures.

The article also includes a photograph of a group of statues by Daniel C. French, representing Science controlling the forces of electricity and steam. The caption under the photograph reads: "WILL BE SAVED FROM DUMP. Group by Daniel C. French, representing Science controlling the forces of electricity and steam, decorating a corner of the old Federal building."

The article continues on page two, as indicated by the text "(Continued on Page Two)" at the bottom of the page. There is also a small section at the bottom left corner of the page titled "Art Exhibit at New Fogg," which mentions an exhibition of drawings by various artists at the Fogg Art Museum.

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This image shows an open, vintage newspaper, specifically the Boston Herald, dated November 19, 1928. The page is part of a bound volume, evident from the black hardcover binding visible on the right and the aged, yellowed paper.

The main article dominates the page, with a large, bold headline:

Daniel C. French Statuary Will Escape the Scrap Heap

Below this, a sub-headline reads:

Harvard Museum Director Says It Will Be an Honor to Shelter Such Valuable Examples Of American Art

The article discusses the potential demolition of the old Boston Post Office building, which housed large allegorical sculptures by renowned American sculptor Daniel Chester French. These sculptures, including the famous group “Science” (depicting a female figure controlling the forces of electricity and steam), were in danger of being destroyed or sold for scrap.

The article reports that officials from the Harvard Museum of Fine Arts (now the Harvard Art Museums) and the Fogg Art Museum expressed interest in rescuing and preserving the sculptures. Paul Joseph Sachs, acting director of the Fogg, declared the sculptures "unqualifiedly honored" to accept. Other figures mentioned include Edward Jackson Holmes, director of the Museum, and E. M. Pearson, supervising engineer of federal buildings in Massachusetts.

A large, black-and-white photograph occupies the center-right of the page. It shows the sculptural group, “Science,” in situ within the building’s interior. The caption below reads:

Group by Daniel C. French, representing Science controlling the forces of electricity and steam, decorating a corner of the old Federal building.

The article includes contrasting viewpoints — some, like sculptor Cyrus Dallin, considered the sculptures potentially “slightly immature” and suited for museum storage rather than public display — while the majority, including Harvard officials and the newspaper’s editor, strongly supported their preservation as valuable examples of American art.

A small, separate article titled “Art Exhibit at New Fogg,” dated November 22, 1927, is visible in the bottom left corner, indicating this newspaper page is from a bound collection spanning multiple dates.

In summary, this newspaper clipping documents a significant moment in art preservation history — the successful effort to rescue important works by Daniel Chester French from destruction, ensuring their place in American cultural heritage.

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The image shows an open book with a newspaper clipping pasted inside. The clipping is from the Boston Herald, dated November 19, 1925. The headline reads "Daniel C. French Statuary Will Escape the Scrap Heap." The article discusses the efforts of Harvard Museum Director to save Daniel C. French's sculptures from being discarded and how they will be an honor to shelter such valuable examples of American art. The clipping also includes a photograph of a statue group by Daniel C. French, representing Science controlling the forces of electricity and steam.

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The image shows a newspaper clipping with a headline that reads "Daniel C. French Statutory Will Escape the Scrap Heap." The clipping is from the Boston Herald, dated November 19, 1925. The article discusses the efforts to save the Daniel C. French statues from being discarded and highlights the importance of preserving such valuable examples of American art. The article mentions the support of the Harvard Museum Director and other art enthusiasts in preserving the statues. The clipping also includes a photograph of one of the statues, depicting a group of people representing science controlling the forces of electricity and steam, decorating a corner of the old Federal building.

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The image shows an open newspaper page from the Boston Herald, dated November 19, 1925. The headline prominently displayed at the top reads: "Daniel C. French Statuary Will Escape the Scrap Heap". This headline is accompanied by a subheading that states: "Harvard Museum Director Says It Will Be an Honor to Shelter Such Valuable Examples Of American Art."

Key Details from the Image:

  1. Headline and Subheading:

    • The main headline emphasizes that Daniel Chester French's statues, which were at risk of being discarded, will be preserved.
    • The subheading clarifies that the Harvard Museum Director views the preservation of these statues as an honor, highlighting their value as examples of American art.
  2. Article Content:

    • The article discusses the efforts to save Daniel Chester French's sculptures, which were considered for demolition or scrap.
    • It mentions that the statues, including the "Labor Supporting Art" and "Electricity and Steam," were originally part of the old Federal Building in Boston.
    • The article quotes Paul J. Sachs, the acting director of the Fogg Art Museum at Harvard, who supports the idea of preserving the statues. Sachs argues that these works are historically and artistically significant and should not be discarded.
  3. Visual Element:

    • To the right of the article, there is a black-and-white photograph of one of Daniel Chester French's sculptures. The sculpture depicts a group of figures, likely representing "Science controlling the forces of electricity and steam," as indicated by the caption beneath the image.
    • The caption beneath the photograph reads: "Group by Daniel C. French, representing Science controlling the forces of electricity and steam, decorating a corner of the old Federal building."
  4. Additional Text:

    • The article includes quotes and commentary from various individuals, including Sachs, who expresses his support for preserving the statues.
    • It also mentions the historical and artistic significance of the statues, noting that they were created by one of America's most celebrated sculptors.
    • The article discusses the debate surrounding the fate of the statues, with some arguing that they should be preserved due to their historical and artistic value, while others suggest they may no longer be relevant.
  5. Layout and Design:

    • The newspaper page is formatted in a classic early 20th-century style, with dense columns of text and a clear, bold headline.
    • The article is divided into sections, with the main story occupying the central column and additional details or related content in adjacent columns.

Summary:

The image depicts a newspaper article from the Boston Herald dated November 19, 1925, focusing on the efforts to preserve Daniel Chester French's statues, which were at risk of being discarded. The article highlights the historical and artistic importance of these works and features a photograph of one of the sculptures, emphasizing its significance. The content reflects a broader discussion about the value of preserving American art and heritage.

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The image shows a page from an old newspaper, with the headline "Daniel C. French Statuary Will Escape the Scrap Heap" and a photo of a statue.

  • The headline is in large font at the top of the page, with the subheading "Harvard Museum Director Says It Will Be an Honor to Shelter Such Valuable Examples of American Art" below it.
    • The headline suggests that the article is about the preservation of Daniel C. French's statues.
    • The subheading provides more context, indicating that the article is about the Harvard Museum's decision to preserve the statues.
  • The photo of the statue is on the right side of the page, showing a woman holding a child.
    • The statue appears to be made of marble or another light-colored material.
    • The woman is depicted in a flowing gown, with her hair styled in an updo.
    • The child is shown in the woman's arms, looking up at her.
  • The text of the article is below the headline and photo, discussing the importance of preserving the statues.
    • The article mentions that the statues are valuable examples of American art and should be preserved for future generations.
    • It also notes that the Harvard Museum has decided to keep the statues, despite initial plans to scrap them.
  • The background of the page is a light brown color, with some creases and tears visible.
    • The page appears to be old and worn, suggesting that it may have been printed many years ago.
    • The creases and tears add to the page's aged appearance, giving it a sense of history and nostalgia.

Overall, the image suggests that the article is about the preservation of Daniel C. French's statues, and the importance of preserving valuable examples of American art. The photo of the statue adds a visual element to the article, providing a sense of what the statues look like.

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The image depicts a page from an old book, featuring newspaper clippings. The page is open to a section with the title "Daniel C. French Statuary Will Escape the Scrap Heap" in large text at the top left. Below this, there are several paragraphs of smaller text discussing the fate of Daniel Chester French's famous allegorical sculptures, which were originally intended for the Boston postoffice building and landmarks of Post Office Square for half a century past, second only to the Boston Museum of Fine Arts.

To the right of the article, there is a black-and-white photograph of a statue depicting a woman and a man. The woman is seated on a rock, while the man stands behind her, holding a large object. The background of the image is a plain gray color, suggesting that it may be a digital scan or photograph of the book page. Overall, the image appears to be a historical document or artifact related to art and architecture.

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The image depicts a vintage newspaper clipping, dated November 19, 1925, featuring an article about the preservation of a Daniel C. French statue. The clipping is yellowed and appears to be part of a scrapbook or photo album, with a black cover visible on the right side.

Key Features:

  • Newspaper Clipping: The clipping is from the Boston Herald and discusses the fate of a Daniel C. French statue.
  • Date: The clipping is dated November 19, 1925.
  • Article Title: The title of the article is "Daniel C. French Statuary Will Escape the Scrap Heap."
  • Image: A black-and-white photograph of the statue accompanies the article, showing a group of figures representing Science controlling the forces of electricity and steam.
  • Scrapbook or Photo Album: The clipping is part of a scrapbook or photo album, with a black cover visible on the right side.
  • Condition: The clipping is yellowed, indicating its age.

Overall Impression:

The image presents a nostalgic and informative glimpse into the past, highlighting the importance of preserving cultural heritage. The article and accompanying image provide insight into the significance of the Daniel C. French statue and its eventual preservation.

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The image shows a vintage newspaper article from the Boston Herald, dated November 19, 1925. The article is titled "Daniel C. French Statuary Will Escape the Scrap Heap" and features a black-and-white photograph of a statue.

Newspaper Article:

  • Title: Daniel C. French Statuary Will Escape the Scrap Heap
  • Date: November 19, 1925
  • Newspaper: Boston Herald
  • Content: The article discusses the fate of Daniel Chester French's famous allegorical sculptures, ornaments of the Boston postoffice building and landmark of Post Office square for half a century past, which seemed destined for the scrap heap.
  • Photograph: A black-and-white photograph of a statue is included in the article.

Statue:

  • Artist: Daniel Chester French
  • Description: The statue depicts a group of figures, including a man and a woman, with a child and a lion.
  • Context: The statue was originally located on the old Federal building and was set to be scrapped but was saved.

Overall:

  • The image provides a glimpse into the history of art and architecture in Boston, highlighting the efforts to preserve a valuable piece of American art.
  • The article and photograph work together to tell a story about the importance of preserving cultural heritage.