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Fogg Art Museum Scrapbook, January 1929-December 1931

ARCH.2003.25, Rendition: 793917

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The image shows a page from a publication titled "The Art Digest," dated December 1, 1929. The article on this page is titled "X-Ray Work" and discusses the research being conducted by the Fogg Museum in studying paintings using X-ray technology.

Key points from the article include:

  1. Research Overview: The Fogg Museum has been conducting research using X-rays to study paintings. This work has been ongoing for several years, and the museum has a collection of about 1,260 X-ray shadowgraphs available for study.

  2. Historical Context: The research began in the fall of 1924 when an unopened mummy was X-rayed, revealing hidden contents. This experiment was conducted at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts.

  3. Collaboration and Expertise: Alan Burroughs, then curator of paintings at the Fogg Museum, was instrumental in this work. He collaborated with R. Allen Whiting, director of the Cleveland Museum of Art, who had experience in X-raying paintings.

  4. Technological Advancements: The article mentions the development of a portable X-ray machine by a graduate student at Harvard, which allowed for the X-raying of paintings without physical contact.

  5. Expansion of Research: The second phase of research involved X-raying paintings from various museums, including the Metropolitan Museum and the Louvre. This phase focused on creating a comprehensive catalog of X-ray shadowgraphs.

  6. Catalog and Collection: The Fogg Museum has compiled a significant collection of X-ray shadowgraphs, which is available for study by museum officials, collectors, and critics. The museum's New York office can assist in locating specific paintings or sculptures.

The article highlights the innovative use of X-ray technology in art conservation and study, emphasizing the collaborative efforts and technological advancements that have facilitated this research.

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The image displays a page from the December 1, 1929, issue of "The Art Digest." The featured article is titled "X-Ray Work" and discusses the efforts of the Fogg Museum at Harvard University in using X-ray technology to study paintings.

Here are the main points from the article:

  1. Introduction and Background:

    • Over the past four years, the Fogg Museum has been conducting research on paintings using X-rays.
    • This initiative is part of a broader effort involving collaboration with other museums, institutions, students, and connoisseurs.
  2. Initial Undertakings:

    • The article mentions the initial study of a painting from the Minneapolis Institute of Arts under Russell A. Plimpton in the fall of 1923.
    • Edward W. Forbes, director of the Fogg Museum, supported the use of X-rays for examining artworks without causing damage.
  3. Development and Expansion:

    • Alan Burroughs, a curator at the Fogg Museum, started working on X-ray analysis after joining the institution.
    • With the help of F. Allen Whiting, they assembled essential X-ray equipment and skills.
    • The first phase of this work involved extensive testing on various pictures, mainly from the Metropolitan Museum, to understand the effects and capabilities of X-rays.
  4. Second Phase:

    • The second phase saw the Fogg Museum and other institutions, like the Louvre, amassing a significant collection of X-ray shadowgraphs.
    • This phase involved collecting shadowgraphs of paintings from various American and European institutions.
  5. Current and Future Work:

    • The fourth stage of the project involves classifying the collected shadowgraphs.
    • The goal is to establish a comprehensive reference collection to aid in the study and authentication of artworks.
    • The Fogg Museum hopes to expand this project and invites museum officials, collectors, and critics to contribute to solving problems in art authentication through X-ray analysis.

The article concludes by mentioning that "The Art Digest" New York office will assist in locating a particular painting of interest to its subscribers.

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The image is a page from "The Art Digest," dated 1st December, 1929. The article is titled "X-Ray Work."

Here is a detailed summary of the content:

The article discusses the work done by the Fogg Museum over the past four years, focusing on the study of paintings using X-ray technology. This research has been conducted in collaboration with other museums and institutions, resulting in the creation of over 1,000 shadowgraphs (X-ray images) that are valuable for studying paintings.

The article outlines four stages of the X-ray work:

  1. The starting point: The Fogg Museum began its X-ray work in the fall of 1923, when an unopened mummy was X-rayed to examine its contents without damaging the covering. This initial work was undertaken by the Minneapolis Institute of Arts under Russell A. Pilmpton.

  2. The second stage: The Fogg Museum, along with other institutions, began to X-ray paintings to study their underlying structure and hidden details. This work was initiated by Alan Burroughs, curator of paintings at the Fogg Museum, who sought the expertise of Dr. F. Allen Whiting, director of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Dr. J. Lloyd Bohm, a physicist, was also involved, proving that X-rays do not physically affect the paintings.

  3. The third stage: This stage involved the formation of an extensive collection of X-ray shadowgraphs of paintings. The Fogg Museum, along with other institutions, started collecting these images. The Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, for instance, allowed Mr. Burroughs to X-ray paintings in its permanent collection. This led to the inclusion of shadowgraphs from various other American and European institutions.

  4. The fourth stage: This stage is the classification of the knowledge obtained from the X-ray shadowgraphs, aiming to publish the findings. This step is hoped to lead to further generosity from museums and collectors, as well as contributions from critics and connoisseurs.

The article concludes by providing contact information for The Art Digest's New York office, which can be reached at 1 East 40th Street, for inquiries related to locating particular paintings or sculptures.

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The image is a page from "The Art Digest," dated December 1, 1929. The page is titled "X-Ray Work" and discusses the research conducted by the Fogg Museum on the study of paintings using X-ray technology.

Here is a detailed summary of the content:

  1. Introduction to X-Ray Work:

    • The Fogg Museum has been engaged in research on the study of paintings through X-rays for the past four years.
    • This work has involved collaboration with other museums and institutions, leading to the creation of approximately 1,000 shadowgraphs, which are X-ray images used for studying artworks.
  2. Purpose and Background:

    • The starting point was the request from the Minneapolis Institute of Arts to X-ray a mummy in 1923. This led to the exploration of X-ray technology for examining paintings.
  3. Significant Developments:

    • Alan Burroughs, curator of paintings at the Fogg Museum, and F. Allen Whiting, director of the Cleveland Museum, were instrumental in bringing attention to the potential of X-rays in art study.
    • Dr. J. Lloyd Bohm was crucial in demonstrating that X-rays could be used effectively without damaging the artwork.
  4. Phases of the Work:

    • The first stage involved the experimental manipulation of X-ray equipment.
    • The second stage involved extensive research, notably with contributions from the Metropolitan Museum, which provided two paintings for X-ray study.
    • The third stage focused on the formation of an extensive collection of X-ray shadowgraphs.
    • The fourth stage, classification, aimed to organize the knowledge obtained, with the hope of further collaboration among museum officials, collectors, and critics to address attribution issues.
  5. Museums Involved:

    • The work involved several museums, including the Louvre, Kaiser Friedrich Museum, and others in Europe and America.
  6. Contact Information:

    • The New York office of "The Art Digest" is mentioned, offering assistance in locating specific paintings and providing the address: The Art Digest, 5 East 43rd St.

The document highlights the pioneering work done by the Fogg Museum and its collaborators in the field of art conservation and research using X-ray technology.

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The image is a page from the December 1st, 1929 issue of "The Art Digest." The article, titled "X-Ray Work," describes the pioneering research on using X-rays to study paintings at the Fogg Museum and other institutions.

Here are the key points summarized:

  1. Introduction: The Fogg Museum has been conducting X-ray research on paintings for the past four years. The study aims to investigate paintings without damaging them.

  2. Initial Phase: The initial phase involved the study of a highly decorated mummy case, which was X-rayed in 1923. This research was supported by the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, directed by Russell A. Plipton.

  3. Collaborations and Equipment: The museum has collaborated with various institutions, accumulating over 1,000 valuable X-ray shadowgraphs. Alan Burroughs, curator of paintings, worked closely with F. Allen Whiting, director of the Cleveland Museum, to gain access to X-ray equipment.

  4. Research Stages:

    • First Stage: Involved the experimental manipulation of X-ray equipment, provided by Dr. J. Lloyd Bohm, demonstrating that X-rays do not affect paintings physically.
    • Second Stage: Focused on X-raying specific paintings from notable institutions such as the Metropolitan Museum, to ascertain the limits of the X-ray method.
    • Third Stage: Involved forming an extensive collection of X-ray shadowgraphs, including those from prominent museums like the Louvre and the Kaiser Friedrich Museum in Berlin.
  5. Future Plans: The article mentions a fourth stage, which involves classifying the knowledge obtained, with the aim of providing solutions to attribution problems faced by art historians and curators worldwide.

Additionally, the article concludes by mentioning that the New York office of The Art Digest will help locate a particular painting by a specific artist and provides their address for correspondence.

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The image shows a page from "The Art Digest," dated December 1st, 1929. The article on the page is titled "X-Ray Work" and discusses the research conducted at the Fogg Museum over the past four years, focusing on the study of paintings using X-ray technology. The article highlights several key points:

  1. The Fogg Museum, under the direction of P. A. B. David, has been at the forefront of this research, cooperating with other institutions to amass around 1,200 valuable X-ray photographs of paintings.
  2. The initial impetus for this work came from the Minneapolis Institute of Arts in 1923, which used X-rays to examine a mummy case.
  3. The project gained significant momentum when the Fogg Museum, with the help of Dr. J. Lloyd Bohm, began systematically X-raying pictures in its collection and those of other institutions.
  4. The article notes that this process has revealed many hidden details, such as underdrawings and changes made by artists during the creative process.
  5. The research has also included the formation of an extensive collection of X-ray photographs, which has been used to study the techniques of various artists, including Rembrandt, Velázquez, and others.
  6. The article concludes by mentioning that the Fogg Museum hopes to continue this work with further support, and that the Art Digest’s New York office can help locate specific paintings for further study.

The page is marked with the number "28" at the top, indicating it is likely from the 28th volume of the digest.

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This is an image of a page from a publication, specifically an article from "The Art Digest," dated 15th December, 1929. The title of the article is "X-Ray Work," and it appears to describe the use of X-Ray technology in the study of paintings. Subheadings or labels are not clearly visible, but the text of the article might discuss the history, methods, and implications of X-ray usage in analyzing art. There are three holes punched along the left margin of the paper, likely for placing in a binder or filing system. The paper has aged over time, resulting in a yellowed appearance, with some discoloration and minor damage, such as creases and small tears. The text is printed in a formal, organized layout typical for a magazine or journal of that period.

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This image shows a page from an old publication or magazine. The page is slightly yellowed with age and has three holes punched through it, suggesting it might have been part of a binder or archival system.

The top portion of the page contains an article titled "X-Ray Work," published in "The Art Digest" on December 1, 1929. The article describes early research conducted by the Fogg Museum using X-rays to study paintings. It discusses the contributions of various experts and institutions, such as the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, and the development of techniques for X-raying paintings as part of conservation and research efforts. The article highlights the process, evaluations, collaborations, and advancements in the field of using X-rays for art examination.

The bottom portion of the page is blank except for the yellowing around the edges. There is noticeable wear and discoloration around the edges, typical of aged paper.

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This image shows a page from "The Art Digest" dated 1st December 1929. The page number at the top left corner is 28. The main article on the page is titled "X-Ray Work." The article discusses the research conducted over four years at the Fogg Museum on studying paintings using X-rays. It mentions the cooperation between various museums and institutions and refers to 1,200 shadowgraphs collected for study. The text highlights key figures and events, such as a 1923 experiment with an unopened mummy case by Russell A. Plimpton, contributions by Allan Burroughs and F. Allen Whiting, and the development of X-ray shadowgraphs starting in April 1926 with the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. The article concludes by explaining the significance of these studies for museums, collectors, and critics. The rest of the page is blank with some light aging or discoloration around the edges. The page also has three punched holes on the left side, suggesting it may have been stored in a binder.

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The image depicts a page from the December 1st, 1929, issue of The Art Digest. The page is titled "X-Ray Work" and is numbered 28. The content is a detailed article discussing the use of X-ray technology in art research, specifically within the context of the Fogg Museum of Art at Harvard University.

Key Details from the Image:

  1. Title and Date:

    • The article is titled "X-Ray Work".
    • It is from the 1st December, 1929 issue of The Art Digest.
  2. Content Overview:

    • The article describes the use of X-ray technology in the study of paintings over the past four years at the Fogg Museum.
    • It highlights the collaboration between the museum and other institutions, students, and connoisseurs.
    • Over 1,000 shadowgraphs (X-ray images) have been collected, aiding in the identification of valuable artworks.
  3. Historical Context:

    • The article traces the development of X-ray work in art research, noting several stages:
      • First Stage: Initial research and experimentation, including an early experiment at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts under Russell A. Plimpton.
      • Second Stage: The use of X-ray to study paintings, particularly to examine the contents of an unopened mummy case in 1923.
      • Third Stage: The formation of an extensive collection of X-ray shadowgraphs, including works from major museums such as the Louvre, Kaiser Friedrich Museum, National Gallery, and the Metropolitan Museum.
      • Fourth Stage: The classification of the knowledge gained, which has already begun at the Fogg Museum.
  4. Key Figures and Institutions:

    • Alan Burroughs: Curator of paintings at the Fogg Museum, who initiated the research program.
    • Dr. J. Lyd Bohn: A graduate student at Harvard who conducted the essential first period of experimentation.
    • Fogg Museum of Art: The primary institution conducting the research.
    • Other museums mentioned include the Louvre, Kaiser Friedrich Museum, National Gallery, and the Metropolitan Museum.
  5. Purpose and Significance:

    • The article emphasizes the importance of X-ray work in solving attribution problems, identifying hidden layers or alterations in paintings, and preserving artworks without physical damage.
    • It highlights the potential for X-ray technology to revolutionize the field of art conservation and scholarship.
  6. Visual Layout:

    • The text is presented in a classic, serif font typical of early 20th-century publications.
    • The page is clean and well-organized, with clear headings and paragraphs.
    • There are no illustrations or photographs accompanying the text.

Summary:

The image shows a page from The Art Digest detailing the pioneering use of X-ray technology in art research at the Fogg Museum of Art. The article provides a historical account of the development of this technique, its applications, and its significance in advancing the field of art conservation and scholarship. The content is informative and reflects the early adoption of scientific methods in the study of art.