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Fogg Art Museum Scrapbook, January 1928-November 1929

ARCH.2003.24, Rendition: 796258

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The image is a page from an old newspaper or magazine, specifically from the "Sunday Post" on December 29, 1928, as indicated at the top. The headline reads, "As a Detector of Art 'Fakes' Harvard's X-Ray Puts It All Over Keen Connoisseur Sherlocks on." This suggests the article discusses the use of X-rays to detect alterations or forgeries in artworks.

The article details the use of the X-ray machine at Harvard University's Fogg Art Museum to examine the treasures within. The machine is used to determine if the "Portrait of a Lady" by Badaille is a genuine masterpiece or a fake. The article explains that the X-ray can reveal if the painting has been retouched, thereby demonstrating that science, through a mechanical eye, can be more clever than human sight in identifying fakes.

The page also contains several photographs. Two of them are close-ups of the "Portrait of a Lady" by Badaille, and the third is a picture of the examination process using the X-ray machine. The machine is shown projecting an image onto the painting to reveal any retouching.

Below the main article, there is a section titled "Art News," which discusses drawings from various artists on display at the Harvard University Fogg Art Museum. It mentions works by Delacroix, Courbet, Houxon, Tiepolo, and others.

The page also includes a list of Harvard professors and their credentials, indicating the depth of expertise being discussed in the context of art and its examination.

The overall tone of the article reflects the era's fascination with scientific advancements and their application to the field of art鉴赏 and authentication.

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This image shows an open book containing a newspaper clipping from the Boston American dated December 29, 1928. The article is titled "As a Detector of Art 'Fakes' Harvard's X-Ray Puts It All Over Keen Connoisseur Sherlocks on." The article discusses the use of X-rays to detect fake art and study masterpieces.

The clipping features several images:

  1. A portrait of a lady used in the X-ray test.
  2. A group of teachers and students using the X-ray machine to study a painting.
  3. A diagram explaining how the X-ray machine works, showing the projection of X-rays through the canvas to reveal retouched areas.
  4. A Roentgen photo that "lifts the veil" on the painting, showing the original beneath any retouching.

The article describes how the X-ray machine can easily pick out retouching done on old canvases and determine the authenticity of the portrait. It also mentions that the photographs were taken by a Boston Evening American staff photographer and were provided courtesy of the Fogg Art Museum.

The right page of the book contains another article with a list of names and their associated positions or titles, possibly related to historical events or university appointments.

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This image displays a vintage newspaper clipping, carefully preserved and mounted within an open, black, hardcover scrapbook or album. The newspaper is yellowed with age, indicating its historical nature.

The clipping is from the Boston American, dated December 29, 1928, and is likely from its Sunday edition, as suggested by the “Sunday Post” header visible at the top right.

The main article is titled:

“As a Detector of Art ‘Fakes’ — Harvard’s X-Ray Puts It All Over — Keen Connoisseur Sherlocks on”

The article details a groundbreaking use of X-ray technology at Harvard’s Fogg Art Museum to analyze and authenticate famous artworks.

The page features three large photographs:

  1. Left: A portrait of a woman, identified in the text as the “Famous Work of Art Used in Test,” specifically “Portrait of a Lady” by Buffie.
  2. Center: Shows three men — two students and an expert — operating a large, vintage X-ray machine on a canvas. The caption identifies them as “Teachers and Students Use Mechanical Eye to Study Masterpieces.” One man, Charles Darbou, is described as an expert, while the student, Pauline Lerner, is shown operating the apparatus on a work by George Bellows.
  3. Right: An X-ray “photograph” of a portrait, revealing the hidden “original” image beneath the painted surface. The caption, “Roentgen Photo ‘Lifts the Veil’,” explains that the ancient original is shown as a “faint” figure, which was painted over. This X-ray image clearly shows the underlying face before the top layer of paint.

Below the photographs, the article is divided into three columns of dense, typewritten text. The text elaborates on how the X-ray machine can reveal hidden drawings, alterations, or underlying layers in paintings, helping experts determine if a piece has been retouched or if the original is still intact.

At the very bottom right, a separate, smaller text box contains an announcement related to Harvard University governance, dated October 29, 1928, and mentions figures such as Charles Homer Haskins and Alfred Chandler.

Overall, the image captures a fascinating moment in art history and scientific application, showcasing how early 20th-century technology was being used to “see through” paintings and authenticate masterpieces. The presentation in a scrapbook suggests it was saved for its historical or intellectual significance by a collector.

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An open book with a black cover has a few pages on both sides. The left side has a picture of a woman and some text. The right side has a picture of a man and some text. The book is titled "As a Detector of Art 'Fakes'" and "Harvard's X-Ray Puts It All Over" and "Keen Connoisseur Sherlocks on." The book is placed on a gray surface.

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An open book with a black border on the edges is placed on a gray surface. The book is a newspaper with the title "Boston American." The newspaper has a black-and-white photo of a woman, a man, and a machine. The photo is accompanied by a text that reads "As a Detector of Art Fakes." The newspaper also has a photo of a man with a bow tie and a machine.

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The image depicts an open newspaper page from the Boston American, dated December 29, 1927. The headline prominently reads:

"As a Detector of Art 'Fakes' ~ Harvard's X-Ray Puts It All Over ~ Keen Connoisseur Sherlock on"

The layout includes a combination of text and photographs:

Left Section:

  • Headline: "FAMOUS WORK OF ART USED IN TEST"
  • Caption: Describes a famous artwork, "Portrait of a Lady," by the Italian artist Taddeo Zuccaro, which was used in a test. The article discusses how the Harvard Art Museum utilized an X-ray machine to examine the painting, revealing details about its condition and authenticity.
  • Photograph: Shows a close-up of the painting, highlighting its details and texture.

Center Section:

  • Headline: "TEACHERS AND STUDENTS USE MECHANICAL EYE TO STUDY MASTERPIECES"
  • Caption: Explains how Charles Durham, an expert on the use of the "X-ray machine," projects art onto a screen for students and teachers to study. The article emphasizes the scientific approach to art analysis, allowing viewers to see beneath the surface of paintings.
  • Photograph: Depicts a group of people (likely students and teachers) gathered around a screen, observing an X-ray image of a painting. One individual appears to be operating the machine, while others are attentively watching the display.

Right Section:

  • Headline: "ROENTGEN PHOTO 'LIFTS THE VEIL'"
  • Caption: Discusses the use of X-ray photography to reveal hidden layers or alterations in artworks. The article references an ancient original shown alongside a photograph taken by a Boston Roentgenologist, highlighting the technology's ability to uncover hidden details.
  • Photograph: Shows a close-up of an X-ray image of a painting, illustrating how the technique can reveal underlying layers or restorations that are not visible to the naked eye.

Additional Details:

  • The page includes smaller text blocks and additional photographs, providing context and further details about the use of X-ray technology in art authentication and education.
  • The layout is typical of early 20th-century newspapers, with dense columns of text and illustrations arranged to convey a story about the intersection of science and art.

Overall Theme:

The article emphasizes the innovative use of X-ray technology at Harvard University to detect art forgeries, study masterpieces, and reveal hidden layers in paintings. It portrays X-ray analysis as a groundbreaking tool for art historians, educators, and connoisseurs, bridging the gap between scientific inquiry and artistic appreciation.

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The image presents a vintage newspaper spread, featuring a prominent headline that reads "As a Detector of Art 'Fakes' Harvard's X-Ray Puts It All Over" in bold font. The article is accompanied by three photographs, each showcasing individuals engaged in various activities related to art and technology.

Headline and Article

  • Headline: "As a Detector of Art 'Fakes' Harvard's X-Ray Puts It All Over"
  • Article: Discusses the use of X-ray technology at Harvard University to detect art forgeries
  • Photographs:
    • A woman with short hair
    • A man and woman standing in front of a painting
    • A man holding a small device

Additional Content

  • Column: "Famous Work of Art Used in Test"
  • Column: "Teachers and Students Use Mechanical Eye to Study Masterpieces"
  • Column: "Rorntgen Photo 'Lifts the Veil'"

Overall Impression

The image conveys a sense of innovation and progress in the field of art detection, highlighting the potential of X-ray technology to uncover hidden secrets and authenticate artworks. The inclusion of photographs and columns adds a visual and informative element to the article, making it engaging and accessible to readers.

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The image depicts a page from a scrapbook or photo album, featuring an article about the use of X-rays in art authentication. The article is titled "As a Detector of Art 'Fakes' Harvard's X-Ray Puts It All Over Keen Connoisseur Sherlocks on" and includes several photographs of people using X-ray machines to examine artworks.

The article discusses how X-rays can be used to detect forgeries and authenticate artworks by revealing underlying layers and details that are not visible to the naked eye. It also mentions the use of X-rays in the examination of a portrait of a lady, which was found to be a forgery.

The page also includes a section titled "Famous Work of Art Used in Test 'Portrait of a Lady' by Bache, noted work of art, used for a test of the power of the Harvard X-ray machine in the Fogg Museum at the university." This section describes the process of using X-rays to examine the portrait and the results that were obtained.

Overall, the image provides insight into the use of X-rays in art authentication and the importance of this technology in detecting forgeries and authenticating artworks.

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The image depicts an open scrapbook with a newspaper clipping from December 29 and 31, 1933, featuring a story about Harvard University's use of X-ray technology to analyze artworks. The clipping is titled "As a Detector of Art 'Fakes' ~ Harvard's X-Ray Puts It All Over ~ Keen Connoisseur Sherlocks on" and includes three photographs.

The left photograph shows a portrait of a woman, while the middle image depicts four men in suits and a technician in a lab coat examining a painting using an X-ray machine. The right photograph displays another portrait of a woman. The accompanying text discusses the use of X-ray technology to study masterpieces and detect forgeries.

The scrapbook appears to be old and worn, with yellowed pages and a black cover. It is displayed on a gray background, suggesting that it may be part of a museum or archival collection. Overall, the image provides a glimpse into the history of art authentication and the innovative techniques used by Harvard University to analyze artworks in the early 20th century.

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The image presents a vintage newspaper clipping, likely from the Boston American Sunday Post, dated December 30, 1923. The article is titled "As a Detector of Art 'Fakes' Harvard's X-Ray Puts It All Over Keen Connoisseur Sherlocks On."

  • The clipping features three photographs:
    • A portrait of a woman
    • A group of people gathered around an X-ray machine
    • Another portrait of a woman
  • The article discusses the use of X-ray technology to detect forgeries in art, highlighting its effectiveness in distinguishing between original and fake pieces.
  • The text is written in a formal tone, suggesting that the article is informative and educational in nature.
  • The overall design of the clipping is simple, with a clear headline and concise paragraphs of text.

The image provides a glimpse into the early 20th-century use of X-ray technology in art authentication, showcasing its potential to uncover hidden details and detect forgeries.