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Fogg Art Museum Scrapbook, January 1928-November 1929

ARCH.2003.24, Rendition: 796265

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The image shows a page from a newspaper, specifically from the "Harvard Crimson" dated December 13, 1928. The page contains several articles related to art, contemporary art, and museums. Here's a breakdown of the content:

  1. Top Left Article:

    • Headline: "Students Found New Art Society"
    • Content: The article announces the formation of the "Harvard Society for Contemporary Art, Incorporated," an undergraduate society aimed at showcasing and selling contemporary works of art. It details the society's goals, activities, and the planned exhibitions, including monthly shows of graphic arts and sculpture. The organization was founded by three students and is expected to have exhibitions in Harvard Square. The article also mentions the society's budget for the first year and the types of subscriptions available to members.
  2. Middle Article:

    • Headline: "Contemporary Art"
    • Content: This piece discusses the steady growth of interest in Fine Arts among undergraduate students. It mentions the Harvard Society for Contemporary Art, the advantages it offers, and the need for such an organization in Cambridge and Boston. The article highlights the importance of providing opportunities for students to see and acquire contemporary works of art. It also mentions the efforts of the Fogg Art Museum to promote contemporary art and the need for such a society to complement the existing museums.
  3. Top Right Article:

    • Headline: "Harvard X-Ray Throws Doubt on Paintings"
    • Content: This article reports on an X-ray study of paintings by Alan Burroughs, a staff member of the Fogg Art Museum, which revealed interesting revelations about the authenticity of old master paintings. The article discusses the extent of repainting on original works and how the X-ray study has brought these issues to light. It mentions the availability of X-ray plates for study purposes, with those challenging the authenticity of paintings being withheld for the time being.
  4. Bottom Right Article:

    • Headline: "Collection of Prints at Lawrence Hall"
    • Content: This article is about the acquisition of copies of famous prints and paintings by the School of Education at Lawrence Hall. It mentions a portrait of Reverend Charles Brooks, which was discovered in an old store in Boston, and has been presented to the Committee on Iconography. The article details the restoration of the portrait by experts at the Fogg Art Museum and its display in Room 3 of Lawrence Hall. It also discusses the collection of photographs and prints for Lawrence Hall, including reproductions of old prints of Harvard and other historical images.

The page is from a historical newspaper, and the articles reflect the cultural and educational interests of the time, particularly in the field of art and museum studies.

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This image is a scanned page from a scrapbook or collection of printed articles, likely from December 1928. The page includes several newspaper clippings discussing art-related topics, primarily from the "Crimson," a publication associated with Harvard University.

Key Articles:

  1. "Students Found New Art Society" (Crimson, Dec. 13, 1928):

    • This article discusses the formation of a new undergraduate society at Harvard University called the "Harvard Society for Contemporary Art, Incorporated." The society aims to cover contemporary art through exhibits of borrowed and purchased works. It mentions the budget of $6,000 for the first year and the need for such an organization to provide students with the opportunity to see and acquire current works of art. The society was founded by three undergraduates: Lincoln Kirstein '30, John Walker '30, and E.M.M. Warburg '30. The article also lists the board of trustees.
  2. "Contemporary Art" (Crimson, Dec. 13, 1928):

    • This piece elaborates on the growth of undergraduate interest in fine arts and the importance of the newly formed Harvard Society for Contemporary Art. It discusses the society's role in providing opportunities to see a large number of original artworks and the challenges faced by students in accessing contemporary art. The article highlights the society's planned series of exhibits and its potential impact on the art world.
  3. "Harvard X-Ray Throws Doubt on Paintings" (Herald, Dec. 13, '28):

    • This article reports on interesting revelations concerning the authenticity of paintings by old masters, brought to light through X-raying. It mentions the work of Alan Burroughs '20 from the Fogg Art Museum staff, who X-rayed 181 paintings, including works by famous artists like Jan Van Eyck, Rubens, Rembrandt, Van Dyck, Giorgione, and Titian. The article notes that while the plates of these paintings are available for study, those that question the authenticity of the pictures will be withheld for the present.
  4. "Collection of Prints at Lawrence Hall" (Crimson, Dec. 18, '28):

    • This article discusses the acquisition of copies of famous prints and paintings by the School of Education at Lawrence Hall. It mentions a portrait of Reverend Mr. Charles Brooks, which was discovered in an old store in Boston and donated to the committee on iconography of the School of Education. The article also describes the committee's collection of photographs and prints, including reproductions of old prints of Harvard and photostats of engravings by James Loggan from the late seventeenth century.

The page is well-organized, with each article clearly separated and dated, providing a snapshot of art-related news and activities at Harvard University in December 1928.

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This image displays an open, aged scrapbook, likely from the late 1920s, containing three newspaper clippings dated December 13 and 15, 1928. The yellowed paper and the binding suggest historical significance, and the clippings are mounted on stiff pages, typical of a preserved collection.

The articles relate to the Harvard University art scene and student initiatives:

  1. "Students Found New Art Society" (Crimson, Dec. 13, 1928)

    • This article announces the formation of the “Harvard Society for Contemporary Art, Incorporated,” an undergraduate student group.
    • Its mission is to exhibit and sell contemporary art—both modern works and those by established artists—through exhibits in borrowed or purchased venues, primarily in Harvard Square and New York City.
    • The founding students are listed as Lincoln Kirstein ’30, John Walker ’30, and E. M. M. Warburg ’30.
    • The society aims to address the lack of contemporary art exposure for students in Boston and Cambridge.
    • It details a modest $6,000 annual budget and a tiered membership system (Sustaining, Contributing, and regular membership), with special privileges for Harvard or Radcliffe students ($2).
  2. "Contemporary Art" (Crimson, Dec. 13, 1928)

    • This is a continuation of the first article, elaborating on the rationale for the new society.
    • It argues that even at a time when students in Fine Arts might complete a full course, they rarely get to see original works, especially outside of museums in New York.
    • Citing the Fogg Art Museum’s limitations in showing the full range of contemporary production, the article asserts the society’s formation is “completely justified.”
  3. "Harvard X-Ray Throws Doubt on Paintings" (Herald, Dec. 15, 1928)

    • This clipping reports on a new development at the Fogg Art Museum.
    • Using X-rays, the museum staff discovered that many paintings attributed to Old Masters, including Jan Van Eyck, Rubens, Rembrandt, Van Dyck, Giorgione, and Titian, were likely copies or repaints.
    • The article notes this revelation was made public and that the original, untouched plates would be withheld for further study, casting doubt on the authenticity of the displayed works.
  4. "Collection of Prints at Lawrence Hall" (Crimson, Dec. 15, 1928)

    • This article describes new additions to the School of Education’s collection.
    • A portrait of Reverend Mr. Charles Brooks, found in a Boston store and donated by John Albree, now hangs in Room 3 of Lawrence Hall.
    • It also lists several historical prints acquired by the Committee on Iconography, including two reproductions of old Harvard prints and two 17th-century photographs by James Logan. One of these depicts “Prospect of Oxford from the East near London Road,” and another “Prospect of Oxford from the South near Abbington Road.”
    • The piece concludes by noting that a familiar painting, “The Three Philosophers,” hangs in the Faculty Room of Harvard College, and a hand-colored photograph of the John Harvard and Lawrence windows in the Chapel of Emmanuel College is also part of the collection.

Overall, the scrapbook page captures a vibrant moment in 1928, documenting a student-led initiative to promote modern art, a scientific challenge to art authentication, and the careful curation of historical prints at Harvard. The articles reflect a dynamic intersection of student activism, academic scholarship, and art historical inquiry.

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The image is of a newspaper clipping. The newspaper clipping has two columns of text. The first column is titled "STUDENTS FOUND NEW ART SOCIETY" and the second column is titled "HARVARD X-RAY THROWS DOUBT ON PAINTINGS". The newspaper clipping is from the Crimson, which is the Harvard University newspaper. The clipping is from Thursday, December 13, 1928. The first column of text discusses the formation of a new art society by Harvard students. The second column of text discusses the use of X-rays to question the authenticity of paintings.

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The image depicts an open book with several pages visible. The book appears to be a collection of newspaper clippings, specifically from The Crimson, a student newspaper of Harvard University. The clippings are arranged in a grid-like fashion, with columns and rows, and each clipping is bordered by black lines, possibly for emphasis or to separate individual articles.

The clippings cover a range of topics, including art exhibitions, the formation of an art society, and the acquisition of prints and photographs by the Harvard Art Museums. The text is printed in a serif typeface, typical of newspaper print from the early 20th century.

The first clipping on the left page is titled "Students Found New Art Society" and discusses the formation of the Harvard Society for Contemporary Art. It mentions the society's purpose to exhibit contemporary art and borrowed works to fill a perceived need for such art in the university's collections. The article also notes the difficulty students face in acquiring current works and the society's plan to address this by organizing monthly exhibitions.

The second clipping on the left page is titled "Collection of Prints at Lawrence Hall" and reports on the acquisition of prints by the School of Education. It mentions the presentation of a portrait of Reverend Mr. Charles Brooks by C. Thomas and the donation of photographs by James Logan, among other contributions.

The right page contains several clippings as well, including one about the Harvard X-Ray Throwing Doubt on Paintings, which discusses the use of X-rays to authenticate paintings and the revelation of overpaintings. Another clipping is about the Fogg Art Museum's acquisition of prints for Lawrence Hall, highlighting the importance of these acquisitions for educational purposes.

The clippings are dated, with some from December 1928 and others from December 1927, indicating that the book is a compilation of articles from different issues of The Crimson. The book's pages are bound together, suggesting that it is a scrapbook or a bound volume of clippings.

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The image shows an open newspaper or magazine spread from December 13, 1928, featuring multiple articles from different sections. Here is a detailed description:

Layout and Structure:

  • The page is divided into several sections, each with its own headline and content.
  • The top left section is labeled "Crimson" and dated Thursday, December 13, 1928.
  • The top right section is labeled "Herald" and dated December 15, 1928.
  • The bottom section is also labeled "Crimson" and dated December 15, 1928.

Content Overview:

Top Left Section ("Crimson"):

  • Headline: "STUDENTS FOUND NEW ART SOCIETY"
    • This article discusses the formation of a new organization called the "Harvard Society for Contemporary Art."
    • Key points:
      • The society was founded by students to address the lack of opportunities for studying and exhibiting contemporary art at Harvard.
      • It aims to provide a platform for students to showcase their work, hold exhibitions, and engage with contemporary art.
      • The society plans to hold monthly exhibitions of graphic arts and will attempt to touch contemporary types of work.
      • Membership fees are outlined: $2.50 for Harvard and Radcliffe students, $5 for special privileges.
      • The society is supported by a board of trustees, including notable faculty members.

Top Right Section ("Herald"):

  • Headline: "Harvard X-Ray Thinks Doubt on Paintings"
    • This article discusses a controversy surrounding the authenticity of paintings at Harvard.
    • Key points:
      • X-ray analysis has raised doubts about the authenticity of certain paintings attributed to old masters.
      • The paintings were brought to light through X-raying by museum authorities.
      • The article mentions specific artists whose works are under scrutiny, including Jan Van Eck, Rubens, Rembrandt, Van Dyck, Giorgione, and Titian.
      • The X-rayed plates are available to scholars and poseurs for study, but questions remain about their authenticity.

Bottom Section ("Crimson"):

  • Headline: "COLLECTION OF PRINTS AT LAWRENCE HALL"
    • This article discusses a new collection of prints acquired by the School of Education at Harvard.
    • Key points:
      • The School of Education has acquired copies of famous prints and paintings.
      • A portrait of Reverend Mr. Charles Brooks, discovered in an old store in Boston, was presented to the Committee on Iconography of the School of Education.
      • The painting, by C.S. Thomas '97, is in almost ruined condition but has been repaired and now hangs in Room 3 of Lawrence Hall.
      • Mr. Abree, a Boston professional man, has taken an interest in the life of Charles Brooks and is the author of a historical treatise titled "Charles Brooks and His Work for Normal Schools."
      • The Committee on Iconography has collected a large number of photographs and prints for Lawrence Hall.
      • Among the collection are two reproductions of old prints of Harvard buildings, one showing a group of the older ones and the other portraying a quiet cricket game in front of Summer's monument near Harvard Square.
      • There are also two photographs of engravings done by James Logan in the late seventeenth century. The original may be found in the Treasure Room of the Widener Library.

Visual Details:

  • The text is printed in a classic newspaper or magazine font.
  • The layout includes columned text with clear headings and subheadings.
  • The dates and section labels ("Crimson" and "Herald") are prominently displayed at the top of each section.
  • The content is dense and informative, typical of a newspaper or academic publication from the early 20th century.

Overall Impression:

The image depicts a historical newspaper or magazine spread from December 1928, covering diverse topics such as the formation of a new art society at Harvard, doubts about the authenticity of paintings through X-ray analysis, and the acquisition of a print collection at Lawrence Hall. The content reflects the cultural, academic, and artistic interests of the time.

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The image presents a page from an old newspaper, featuring two articles about art and a book review. The page is yellowed with age, indicating its vintage nature.

  • Article 1: "Students Found New Art Society"
    • The article discusses the formation of a new art society at Harvard University.
    • It mentions that the society aims to provide a platform for students to showcase and sell their contemporary works of art.
    • The article highlights the society's focus on promoting modern art and providing opportunities for students to develop their artistic skills.
  • Article 2: "Harvard X-Ray Throws Doubt on Paintings"
    • This article reports on a discovery made by a Harvard professor using X-ray technology.
    • The professor found that many paintings attributed to famous artists were actually created by unknown artists.
    • The article raises questions about the authenticity of these paintings and the impact of this discovery on the art world.
  • Book Review: "Collection of Prints at Lawrence Hall"
    • The book review discusses a collection of prints acquired by the School of Education at Lawrence Hall.
    • The reviewer praises the collection for its high quality and diversity, highlighting the works of famous artists such as John Brooks and Charles Brooks.
    • The review concludes by noting that the collection is a valuable resource for art enthusiasts and scholars.

In summary, the image showcases a page from an old newspaper that features articles about art and a book review. The articles highlight the formation of a new art society at Harvard University and a discovery made by a professor using X-ray technology. The book review discusses a collection of prints acquired by the School of Education at Lawrence Hall, praising its quality and diversity. Overall, the image provides insight into the art world of the past and the importance of preserving and promoting art for future generations.

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The image depicts a page from a newspaper or magazine, featuring two articles. The first article, titled "STUDENTS FOUND NEW ART SOCIETY," discusses the formation of the Harvard Society for Contemporary Art, an undergraduate society dedicated to showcasing and selling contemporary works of art. The second article, titled "COLLECTION OF PRINTS AT LAWRENCE HALL," focuses on the acquisition of famous prints and paintings by the School of Education.

Key Points:

  • Article 1: "STUDENTS FOUND NEW ART SOCIETY"
    • Discusses the formation of the Harvard Society for Contemporary Art
    • Aims to showcase and sell contemporary works of art
    • Mentions the society's goal of making contemporary art more accessible to students
  • Article 2: "COLLECTION OF PRINTS AT LAWRENCE HALL"
    • Focuses on the acquisition of famous prints and paintings by the School of Education
    • Highlights the importance of the collection for educational purposes
    • Provides details about the types of prints and paintings included in the collection

Visual Elements:

  • The page features a yellowed background with black text
  • The articles are arranged in a columnar format, with headings and subheadings in bold font
  • The page includes handwritten notes and dates in the margins, suggesting that it may have been used as a reference or study material

Conclusion:

The image provides insight into the artistic and educational initiatives of the time, highlighting the importance of making contemporary art accessible to students and promoting education through the acquisition of famous prints and paintings.

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The image presents a page from a scrapbook or photo album, featuring three newspaper clippings dated December 13, 1928. The clippings are arranged in two columns, with the left column containing one article and the right column featuring two articles.

Left Column:

  • "STUDENTS FOUND NEW ART SOCIETY": This article discusses the formation of a new art society by Harvard students, aiming to promote contemporary art and provide a platform for emerging artists.

Right Column:

  • "Harvard X-Ray Throws Doubt on Paintings": This article reports on the use of X-ray technology to analyze paintings at the Fogg Art Museum, revealing potential forgeries or misattributions.
  • "COLLECTION OF PRINTS AT LAWRENCE HALL": This article highlights the acquisition of a collection of prints by the School of Education, featuring works by renowned artists and providing insight into the history of art education.

The clippings are yellowed and worn, indicating their age and handling over time. The surrounding page is also yellowed, suggesting that it is part of an older scrapbook or album. The overall appearance of the image is one of nostalgia and historical significance, providing a glimpse into the past through the lens of art and culture.

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The image presents a vintage newspaper or magazine page, featuring four distinct articles. The page is divided into two columns, with the left column containing two articles and the right column featuring two as well.

Left Column:

  • Article 1: "STUDENTS FOUND NEW ART SOCIETY"
    • Title: "STUDENTS FOUND NEW ART SOCIETY"
    • Subtitle: "Group to Cover Contemporary Art in Exhibits of Borrowed and Purchased Works"
    • Text: The article discusses the formation of a new art society at Harvard University, which aims to provide students with opportunities to see and acquire current works of art.
    • Statistics: The society has a budget of $6,000 for its first year.
  • Article 2: "TO FILL PRESENT NEED"
    • Title: "TO FILL PRESENT NEED"
    • Text: The article highlights the lack of opportunities for students to see or acquire current works of art, and how the new society aims to address this need.

Right Column:

  • Article 3: "Harvard X-Ray Throws Doubt on Paintings"
    • Title: "Harvard X-Ray Throws Doubt on Paintings"
    • Text: The article discusses the use of X-ray technology to examine the authenticity of paintings, and how it has raised doubts about the origins of some works.
    • Statistics: The Fogg Art Museum has used X-ray technology to examine many of its paintings.
  • Article 4: "COLLECTION OF PRINTS AT LAWRENCE HALL"
    • Title: "COLLECTION OF PRINTS AT LAWRENCE HALL"
    • Subtitle: "School of Education Acquires Copies of Famous Prints and Paintings"
    • Text: The article discusses the acquisition of a collection of prints and paintings by the School of Education at Lawrence Hall.
    • Statistics: The collection includes a portrait of Reverend Mr. Charles Brooks, which was discovered in an old store in Boston.

In summary, the image features four articles discussing various topics related to art and education at Harvard University. The articles cover the formation of a new art society, the use of X-ray technology to examine paintings, and the acquisition of a collection of prints and paintings by the School of Education.