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Fogg Art Museum Scrapbook, January 1928-November 1929

ARCH.2003.24, Rendition: 796257

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The image depicts a page from a newspaper or a magazine, dated December 29, 1928, from the publication "Boston American." The page is titled "As a Detector of Art 'Fakes'" and discusses the use of Harvard's X-ray equipment in examining artwork, specifically to determine its authenticity. It mentions a famous work of art, "Portrait of a Lady" by Badile, being used to test the Harvard X-ray machine's ability to detect retouching or forgeries in paintings.

The article highlights a method where X-rays are projected through the canvas of the painting to reveal any retouching that may have been done. The accompanying photographs show a portrait of a woman and what appears to be an X-ray machine being used on a painting. The page also includes a smaller text box with additional information about the examination process and the use of Roentgen rays (X-rays) in art analysis.

Below this section, there is an article titled "Boston Art News," dated December 22, 1928, which provides a report on the exhibitions of drawings by various artists, including Delacroix, Courbet, and George Bellows, at the Fogg Art Museum of Harvard University. The text describes the sketches on display, noting their significance and the artists' influences on each other's work. The page is aged, with yellowed paper and some wear, indicating it is from an older publication.

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This image is a photograph of an old newspaper clipping from the Boston American dated December 29, 1928. The headline reads "As a Detector of Art 'Fakes' Harvard's X-Ray." The article discusses the use of an X-ray machine to examine famous works of art for authenticity at Harvard University's Fogg Art Museum.

The clipping includes two main photographs:

  1. On the left, there is a close-up image of a portrait titled "Portrait of a Lady" by Badile, which was used in the X-ray test.
  2. On the right, there is a photograph showing two men, Charles Durham and Fulton Lesser, using the X-ray apparatus to examine the portrait. The image also includes a diagram explaining how the X-rays are projected through the canvas to reveal where the portrait has been retouched.

The article mentions that the X-ray machine can prove the authenticity of treasures in the museum's collection and that science, through a mechanical eye, can be more clever than the human eye. The clipping also includes additional text about original drawings by masters from various countries and times on display in the museum, listing artists such as Delacroix, Courbet, Houdon, Tiepolo, and many others.

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This image displays a single page from a scrapbook, featuring a newspaper clipping from the Boston American, dated December 29, 1925. The clipping is from the “Art News” section and is titled:

“As a Detector of Art ‘Fakes’ — Harvard’s X-Ray”

The article discusses the use of scientific technology — specifically, the Harvard X-ray machine — to authenticate famous artworks housed in the Fogg Art Museum at Harvard University.

Key elements of the clipping:

  • Main Headline & Subhead: “As a Detector of Art ‘Fakes’” and “Harvard’s X-Ray,” emphasizing the machine’s role in exposing forgeries or alterations.
  • Photographs:
    • Left: A portrait of a woman, identified in the caption as “Portrait of a Lady,” by Badile. The caption states this work was used as a test subject.
    • Right: A scene in a museum or lab with three men examining a canvas or device. One man, possibly an art expert or scientist, holds the painting while another, perhaps a student (named in text as Fulton Lesser), operates equipment. A large, ghostly image of the woman’s face appears superimposed, visually representing the X-ray image.
    • Inset Diagram: A smaller drawing labeled “X-RAY PROJECTED THROUGH CANVAS REVEALS WHERE PORTRAIT HAS BEEN RETOUCHE.” It illustrates the technical process of X-raying a painting to reveal underlying layers or retouching.
  • Captions:
    • Left caption: “FAMOUS WORK OF ART USED IN TEST” — identifies the painting and its role in proving the machine can distinguish genuine masterpieces from fakes.
    • Right caption: “TEACHERS AND STUDENTS USE MECHANICAL EYE” — names the individuals involved (Charles Durham, art expert; Fulton Lesser, student; Alan Burrell, Charles Alfrey, student) and explains how differences between ancient and modern layers are revealed using X-rays.
  • Body Text: The article details how the X-ray machine acts as a “mechanical eye,” proving more “clever than human eye” in detecting retouching or alterations to old canvases.

Below the main article, another shorter piece titled “BOSTON Art News Dec. 22, '25” (note: the date here appears to be misprinted as Dec. 22, 1925, while the newspaper’s main date is Dec. 29, 1925) discusses the acquisition of original drawings by masters such as Delacroix, Courbet, Ingres, Degas, Renoir, Da Vinci, and others, now on view at the Fogg Art Museum.

The clipping shows some signs of age — yellowing paper, slight creases — and is mounted in what appears to be a dark, cloth-covered scrapbook with visible binding on the left edge. The page is well-preserved and legible.


Overall Description:
This historical newspaper clipping from 1925 documents an early and innovative use of X-ray technology in art conservation and authentication at Harvard’s Fogg Art Museum. It highlights how science was beginning to aid art historians in distinguishing original works from forgeries or later alterations, using a portrait by Badile as a case study. The accompanying photographs and diagram visually illustrate the collaborative effort between experts, students, and technology.

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The image is a vintage newspaper clipping featuring an article titled "As a Detector of Art Fakes" from the Boston American, dated December 29, 1928. The article discusses the use of X-ray technology at Harvard University to detect art forgeries. The clipping includes a photograph of a portrait of a lady, labeled as a "famous work of art" by Barde, used for testing the X-ray machine's capabilities. The article explains how the X-ray machine can reveal hidden details and alterations in paintings, making it more effective than the human eye in detecting fakes. It also mentions the use of mechanical drawing by teachers and students to compare ancient and modern artworks, highlighting the importance of technology in art authentication.

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The image shows a page from a newspaper or magazine, likely from the early 20th century. The headline reads "As a Detector of Art 'Fakes'" and "Harvard's X-Ray," indicating the article is about using X-ray technology to detect art forgeries.

The page features two photographs. The left photo shows a woman with short hair, wearing a dress, and a serious expression. The right photo shows a man in a suit and tie, standing in front of a painting, with another man in a suit and tie standing next to him, pointing at the painting.

The article text discusses the use of X-ray technology by Harvard University to examine artworks and detect forgeries. It mentions specific artworks and artists, such as Jean Honore Fragonard and Jean-Baptiste Greuze, whose works have been examined using this technology. The article highlights the importance of this technology in authenticating artworks and preserving cultural heritage.

The overall tone of the article is informative and educational, providing insights into the use of scientific methods in the field of art authentication. The inclusion of photographs and specific examples helps to illustrate the concepts discussed in the text.

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The image shows an open book or magazine page titled "As a Detector of Art 'Fakes' Harvard's X-Ray Probe" from the Boston American dated December 29, 1935. The page features a detailed article discussing the use of X-ray technology to detect forgeries and authenticate works of art.

Key Elements in the Image:

Left Side:

  1. Headline:

    • "FAMOUS WORK OF ART USED IN TEST"
      • The article highlights the use of a famous artwork titled "Portrait of a Lady" by Baddie as a test case for the Harvard X-Ray Machine.
      • The machine is described as capable of examining the treasures in the Fogg Art Museum at Harvard University, proving more clever than the human eye in detecting forgeries.
  2. Photograph:

    • A black-and-white photograph of a woman is prominently displayed.
    • The woman has short, wavy hair and is wearing a dark outfit. Her expression is neutral, and she appears to be the subject of the "Portrait of a Lady" mentioned in the article.
  3. Caption and Text:

    • Below the photograph, there is a caption or descriptive text, though it is partially cut off.
    • The text mentions the Fogg Art Museum and discusses the use of X-ray technology to examine artworks.
    • It also references the Harvard X-Ray Machine and its ability to detect forgeries by analyzing the layers and materials of paintings.

Right Side:

  1. Photograph:

    • A photograph shows three individuals engaged in an activity related to the X-ray machine.
      • One person appears to be operating or demonstrating the machine, while two others are observing or discussing the results.
      • The setting suggests a laboratory or academic environment.
  2. Diagram:

    • Below the photograph, there is a technical diagram illustrating the X-ray projection process.
      • The diagram shows how X-rays are directed through an object (in this case, a painting) and captured on a film or plate.
      • Labels and arrows indicate the path of the X-rays and the resulting image.
  3. Caption and Text:

    • The text on the right side discusses the use of the X-ray machine by teachers and students, including names such as Charles Durham, Fulton Lesser, and Alan Barr.
    • It mentions the examination of paintings to detect retouching, alterations, or forgeries.
    • The article emphasizes the machine's ability to reveal hidden layers, alterations, and the original condition of artworks.

Additional Details:

  • The page includes a small illustration or diagram labeled "X-RAY PROJECTED THROUGH PAINTING ON FILM WHERE DETAILS WERE OBTAINED", which visually explains the process of X-ray analysis.
  • The article references various artworks and artists, such as George Bellows, Ingres, Renoir, and others, indicating the broad scope of the technology's application.
  • The overall tone of the article is informative, highlighting the innovative use of science (X-ray technology) in the field of art authentication and conservation.

Summary:

The image depicts a page from a 1935 newspaper or magazine article that explores the use of Harvard's X-ray machine to detect art forgeries. It combines photographs of a famous artwork ("Portrait of a Lady"), individuals using the technology, and a technical diagram to illustrate how X-ray analysis can reveal hidden layers and alterations in paintings. The article emphasizes the machine's effectiveness in authenticating art and its application in academic and professional settings.

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The image shows a page from an old newspaper, with the headline "As a Detector of Art 'Fakes' Harvard's X-Ray" and a subheading that reads "Famous Work of Art Used in Test."

  • The headline is in large font at the top of the page.
  • Below the headline is a large photo of a woman's face, with a caption that reads "Portrait of a Lady" by Badile.
  • To the right of the photo is a smaller photo of a man and woman standing next to a machine.
  • The subheading is in smaller font below the headline and reads "Famous Work of Art Used in Test."
  • The text below the subheading describes the use of X-ray machines to detect forgeries in art.
  • The background of the page is a light brown color, with a darker brown border around the edges.

Overall, the image appears to be a page from an old newspaper article about the use of X-ray machines to detect forgeries in art.

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The image shows a newspaper clipping from the Boston American, dated December 29, 1935. The headline reads "As a Detector of Art 'Fakes' Harvard's X-Ray P" and features a large photo of a woman's face with a caption that reads "FAMOUS WORK OF ART USED IN TEST 'Portrait of a Lady,' by Badile, noted work of art, used for a test of the powers of the Harvard X-ray machine in an examination of the treasures in the Fogg Art Museum at the university. This machine has proven these treasures genuine masterpieces. Thus science, through a mechanical eye, proves itself more clever than human eye."

Below the main article is another article titled "TEACHERS AND STUDENTS USE MECHANICAL EYE" with a photo of a man holding a piece of paper and a woman standing next to him. The article discusses how teachers and students are using the X-ray machine to examine artworks and detect forgeries.

At the bottom of the page is a section titled "BOSTON" with a list of upcoming events and exhibitions in the city, including a show of original drawings by masters of many countries and times at the Fogg Art Museum of Harvard University.

Overall, the image suggests that the X-ray machine is being used as a tool for art authentication and education, and that it is being used by both experts and students to examine and learn about artworks.

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The image depicts a vintage newspaper clipping from the Boston American, dated December 29, 1925. The clipping is displayed in a black binder or scrapbook, with the page turned to reveal the article.

Article Details

  • Title: "As a Detector of Art 'Fakes' ~ Harvard's X-Ray"
  • Content: The article discusses the use of X-ray technology to detect art forgeries.
  • Images:
    • A large black-and-white photograph of a woman's portrait.
    • An illustration of three people examining an X-ray image of a painting.

Article Text

The article is divided into two columns, with the left column featuring a headline that reads "FAMOUS WORK OF ART USED IN TEST" and describes the use of a "Portrait of a Lady" by Badile in an X-ray examination at the Fogg Art Museum. The right column has a headline that reads "TEACHERS AND STUDENTS USE MECHANICAL EYE" and explains how the X-ray machine is used to examine the painting.

Additional Text

Below the main article, there is another section titled "BOSTON Art Notes" with a date of December 22, 1928. This section appears to be a separate article or news brief, discussing an exhibition of original drawings by masters from various countries and times at Harvard University.

Background

The background of the image is a plain gray color, suggesting that it may be a product photo or a scan of the newspaper clipping.

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The image presents a vintage newspaper clipping, likely from the Boston American, dated December 29, 1925. The headline reads "As a Detector of Art 'Fakes' Harvard's X-Ray P." The article features two photographs and a detailed description of the use of X-ray technology to detect art forgeries.

  • Headline and Date
    • Headline: "As a Detector of Art 'Fakes' Harvard's X-Ray P."
    • Date: December 29, 1925
  • Photograph 1: Portrait of a Lady
    • Image: A black-and-white portrait of a woman with short hair
    • Caption: "FAMOUS WORK OF ART USED IN TEST 'Portrait of a Lady,' by Badile, noted work of art, used for a test of the powers of the Harvard X-ray machine in an examination of the treasures in the Fogg Art Museum at the university. This machine has proven these treasures genuine masterpieces. Thus science, through a mechanical eye, proves itself more clever than human eye."
  • Photograph 2: Teachers and Students Use Mechanical Graph
    • Image: A black-and-white photograph of three people (two men and one woman) using an X-ray machine
    • Caption: "TEACHERS AND STUDENTS USE MECHANICAL GRAPH Charles Durham, art expert; Fulton Lesser, student; Alan Burroughs, Charles Altfrey, student, using the apparatus in the examination of Roentgen rays are projected upon the painting; back of this is the 'graph' of the portrait. Differences between ancient and modern materials, the retouching done upon old canvases, and in a few minutes, for been retouched, and whether or not the original is really an old."
  • Article Text
    • The article discusses the use of X-ray technology to detect art forgeries at Harvard University's Fogg Art Museum.
    • The text is divided into two columns, with the left column describing the use of the X-ray machine to examine a portrait of a lady by Badile.
    • The right column explains how teachers and students use the mechanical graph to analyze the painting.

In summary, the image shows a vintage newspaper clipping from the Boston American, dated December 29, 1925, discussing the use of X-ray technology to detect art forgeries at Harvard University's Fogg Art Museum. The article features two photographs and provides details about the examination of a portrait of a lady by Badile using the X-ray machine.