Archives Scrapbooks

The image displays a newspaper article from June 8, 1929, titled "Sargent Murals Well Received at First Appearance." The article discusses the unveiling of John Singer Sargent's paintings in the Widener Library at Harvard University, which are dedicated to the students of the university who lost their lives in the Great War. The author, G. H. Edgell, Professor of Fine Arts and Dean of the Faculty of Architecture, praises the murals, emphasizing their decorative composition and the symbolic representation of Death and Victory. Edgell highlights Sargent's skill in handling a difficult problem and his ability to create a harmonious and moving tribute. The article also includes an illustration of one of the murals, titled "Death and Victory."

The image is a page from a newspaper, specifically the June 8, 1929 edition of the "Crimson," presumably from Harvard University. The article is titled "Sargent Murals Well Received at First Appearance" and discusses the reactions to the murals by John Singer Sargent, which were installed in the Widener Library at Harvard University.

The article is written by G. H. Edgell, Professor of Fine Arts and Dean of the Faculty of Architecture. Edgell's commentary focuses on the Sargent murals, which depict the symbols of Death and Victory.

Key points include:

• The murals were installed as memorials to Harvard University students who died in the Great War.
• The left panel portrays Death, with various symbolic elements like a fallen soldier and angels.
• The right panel portrays Victory, with soldiers and various symbolic figures like France, Belgium, and England.
• Edgell praises Sargent's skill in solving the challenge of depicting these subjects with a decorative, symbolic, and yet historically grounded representation.

The article also mentions the difficulty in symbolizing these themes and the artist's successful execution of the murals, which are noted for their artistic and symbolic depth, despite the complexity of the subjects.

The accompanying illustration shows a detailed sketch of "Death and Victory," emphasizing the symbolic figures and the architectural setting.

The image is a page from a newspaper titled "Crimson" dated June 8, 1929. The article is titled "Sargent Murals Well Received at First Appearance" and is a contemporary report by G. H. Edgell, a professor of Fine Arts and Dean of the Faculty of Architecture at Harvard University.

The article discusses John Singer Sargent's murals unveiled in the Widener Library at Harvard University. These murals are intended as a memorial to the Harvard University students who lost their lives during the Great War.

Edgell comments on the murals, highlighting their symbolic representation of Death and Victory. He praises Sargent's ability to achieve a decorative composition that is both well-conceived and executed, despite the difficulty of the task. The murals are noted for their artistic importance and the complexity of their symbolic elements, including figures from various countries and symbolic representations like the American eagle and the Phrygian cap.

The article includes a description of the murals' visual elements, such as the use of colors and the arrangement of figures, and notes the balance and harmony achieved in the composition. Edgell concludes by congratulating Sargent for his successful handling of the challenging task of creating a decorative and symbolic composition.

The image is a page from the June 8, 1929 issue of "The Crimson," a publication associated with Harvard University. The page features an article titled "Sargent Murals Well Received at First Appearance" and includes a commentary by G. H. Edgell, a Professor of Fine Arts and Dean of the Faculty of Architecture.

The article discusses the unveiling of John Singer Sargent's murals in the Widener Library, which depict the symbols of Death and Victory. The murals are intended as a memorial to Harvard students who lost their lives in World War I. The article describes the artistic details of the murals, including the symbolic figures and colors used.

Key points include:

• The murals were well-received upon their unveiling.
• The murals are decorative compositions that Edgell believes were aptly conceived from an architectural setting perspective.
• The left-hand mural shows Death, a shrouded figure with a fallen soldier and a helmeted figure behind her, symbolizing Britain.
• The right-hand mural shows Victory, holding a wreath and a trumpet, with symbolic figures representing France, Belgium, and England.
• The use of color and the arrangement of figures are noted for their aesthetic and symbolic significance.
• Edgell praises Sargent for solving a difficult problem with imaginative creation and for the successful execution of the murals.

The image also includes a black-and-white photograph of the mural titled "Death and Victory" by John Singer Sargent.

The image is a newspaper clipping from the Crimson, dated June 7, 1929. The main article is about the Sargent Murals, specifically those painted by John Singer Sargent, which were well-received at their first public appearance. The article features a review by G. H. Edgell, Professor of Fine Arts and Director of the Worcester Art Museum, originally published in the Alumni Bulletin.

The article highlights the murals located in the Widener Library at Harvard University, intended as a memorial to the students who lost their lives in World War I. The murals depict various symbolic scenes:

1. The Coming of the Americans to Europe on the Right:

   • This panel features a group of American youths in uniform, symbolizing their arrival to join the war effort. The composition includes a helmeted figure and a female figure believed to represent Britannia.

2. Death and Victory:

   • The centerpiece of the murals, this panel is described in detail. It includes:
     • Death: Represented by a fallen soldier and a figure with a somber, shadowed face.
     • Victory: Depicted by a radiant, golden-colored figure holding a palm branch, symbolizing triumph and peace.

Edgell commends Sargent's ability to create a great decorative composition, though he notes that some of the symbolism might be difficult to interpret. He praises the arrangement and color use but suggests that the murals require some effort to fully grasp their intended meaning and aesthetic harmony.

The article also mentions the architectural setting and the integration of the murals within it, highlighting the challenges Sargent faced and overcame in executing such a complex work.

The image is a newspaper clipping from the "Crimson," dated June 8, 1929. The article discusses the reception of murals painted by John Singer Sargent, which were unveiled in the Widener Library at Harvard University. The article includes commentary from G. H. Edgell, Professor of Fine Arts and Director of the Fogg Museum, who praises Sargent's work for its decorative composition and symbolism.

Key points from the article:

1. Purpose and Reception:

   • The murals were well-received upon their first appearance.
   • Edgell comments on the paintings in a contemporary report, noting that Sargent successfully solved a difficult problem and created a work of great decorative composition.

2. Description of the Murals:

   • The murals are a memorial to Harvard men who lost their lives in the Great War.
   • They depict symbols of victory and the coming of the Americans to Europe.
   • The left panel shows American youths in uniform, while the right panel features symbolic figures of France, Belgium, and Britain.
   • The central figure is a Phrygian catapult-bearer, symbolizing the support of the American soldiers.
   • The murals include intricate details and symbolism, such as a male figure representing the American soldier and an eagle silhouetted against the flag.

3. Artistic Techniques:

   • Sargent used a range of colors, including gold, blue, brown, and red, to create a rich and varied palette.
   • The murals are painted in a fresco style, which Edgell notes is particularly successful in achieving a decorative effect.
   • The use of gold and brown tones harmonizes with the marble background of the library.

4. Critique and Symbolism:

   • Edgell praises Sargent's ability to create a work that is both decorative and symbolic, avoiding the need for definite subjects.
   • The murals are noted for their beauty and the way they enhance the library's architecture without seeming to lead away from it.

The article concludes by highlighting Sargent's skill in solving a complex problem and creating a work that is both aesthetically pleasing and symbolically rich.

The image shows a newspaper or magazine page featuring an article titled "SARGENT MURALS WELL RECEIVED AT FIRST APPEARANCE" with a subheadline stating "Edgell of Architectural School Comments on Paintings in Contemporary Report." The article discusses the murals by John Singer Sargent and includes comments from G. H. Edgell, a professor and dean of architecture.

The page includes a black-and-white photograph of one of the murals, titled "Death and Victory—By John Singer Sargent." The mural depicted shows a dramatic scene with two central figures: one is a soldier in uniform (symbolizing Death), and the other is a winged figure (symbolizing Victory). Above them is a banner that reads "DEATH" and "VICTORY." The composition is set in an arched frame, with detailed architectural elements surrounding it.

The article praises the murals for solving a difficult problem with a great decorative composition and mentions the symbolism of death and victory related to World War I, as the murals serve as a memorial to Harvard University students who lost their lives in the Great War. The critique highlights the blending of symbolic meaning with architectural and decorative design and the successful use of color tones and figures. The date "Crimson June 8, 1929" is handwritten at the top left of the page.

This image displays a page from a newspaper or a periodical, dated "June 8, 1929," as indicated in handwriting at the top left corner. The main headline reads, "SARGENT MURALS WELL RECEIVED AT FIRST APPEARANCE." Beneath it, there's a subheadline, "Edgell of Architectural School Comments on Paintings in Contemporary Report." The article credits the critique to G. H. Edgell, Professor of Fine Arts, and mentions it being a reprint from the Alumni Bulletin from November 9, 1922.

On the right side of the page is a photograph of a painting titled "Death and Victory" by John Singer Sargent. This mural seems to feature classical or allegorical figures, with a central figure holding a palm and being crowned by victory or an angelic figure, while surrounded by symbolism indicating death, as suggested by the word "DEATH" written above the arch.

The two columns of text include both parts of the article and commentary on the murals. The article discusses the symbolism, the representation of the murals, and their reception. It also talks about the placement and significance of these murals in the Wiener Library and their connection to Harvard University, mentioning that the art contributes to the commemoration of Harvard students who lost their lives in World War I.

It is also noted that these murals have been a topic of controversy, and the article aims to address this by explaining how the artist has achieved his purpose and handled difficult problems due to the complexity of the subject. The text is too small to read in full detail without zooming in, but the overall tone seems to be analytical and appreciative of Sargent's work.

The image is a page from a magazine or newspaper that features an article about John Singer Sargent's murals in the Widener Library at Harvard University. The article is titled "Sargent Murals Well Received at First Appearance" and was written by Edgell, a professor of Fine Arts and Dean of the Faculty of Architecture at Harvard University. The article discusses the murals' reception and Sargent's ability to create a great decorative composition. The page includes a black-and-white image of one of the murals, "Death and Victory," which depicts a winged figure of Death holding a shield and a fallen soldier below. The article also mentions the symbolism of the figures and the use of color in the murals.

The image depicts a page from a newspaper or magazine, likely from the early 20th century, based on the typography and layout. The headline reads "SARGENT MURALS WELL RECEIVED AT FIRST APPEARANCE," indicating that the article is about the initial reception of murals by an artist named Sargent. The article includes a quote from G. H. Edgell, who comments on the murals, praising their decorative composition and the artist's conception.

The page features a photograph of one of the murals, titled "Death and Victory" by John Singer Sargent. The mural shows a figure of Victory holding a laurel wreath above a fallen soldier, symbolizing the triumph of life over death. The image is framed by an ornate border, which adds to the decorative quality of the artwork.

The text below the image provides additional context and description of the mural, highlighting the artist's use of symbolism and color. The article discusses the artist's intention to create a harmonious and uplifting composition, despite the somber subject matter.

The overall tone of the article is positive, with the critic praising the artist's ability to convey complex emotions and ideas through his work. The article also mentions the artist's previous successes and the importance of his contribution to the art world.

The layout of the page is typical of the time period, with a large headline at the top, followed by a photograph and accompanying text. The use of ornate borders and decorative elements reflects the artistic style of the era.