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Fogg Art Museum Scrapbooks, February 1941-October 1943

ARCH.2003.28, Rendition: 800568

Mistral, us.mistral.pixtral-large-2502-v1:0

The image is a newspaper clipping from April 14, 1941, featuring two articles related to the discovery of a painting by John Singleton Copley at Bowdoin College.

  1. Left Column:

    • Title: "Unknown Copley Found at Bowdoin"
    • Content: The article discusses the discovery of a hitherto unknown portrait by John Singleton Copley, found in the Bowdoin Museum of Fine Arts. The painting, which depicts a woman, was initially believed to be a work by Joseph Blackburn. However, upon examination, it was attributed to Copley. The article mentions that the painting was part of a collection donated by James Bowdoin III, and it was found during the process of cleaning and examining the museum's paintings. The painting is described as a three-quarter-length portrait of a woman in a white dress with a blue ribbon, seated in a chair.
  2. Right Column:

    • Title: "Find Copley Painting in Museum at Bowdoin"
    • Content: This article provides additional details about the discovery. It mentions that the painting was found among the museum's extensive collection of colonial portraits. The article also discusses the significance of the discovery, noting that it adds to the known works of Copley, who is renowned for his portraits of colonial figures. The painting is described as being in good condition and is considered an important addition to the museum's collection.
  3. Images:

    • There are two images accompanying the articles. The left image shows a portrait of a colonial pastor, identified as Rev. Jonathan Edwards, painted by Joseph Blackburn. The right image shows the newly discovered Copley painting, depicting a woman in a white dress with a blue ribbon.

Overall, the articles highlight the significance of the discovery of a previously unknown Copley painting and provide context about its history and attribution.

Mistral, mistral.ministral-3-3b-instruct

The image is a collage of two newspaper clippings from April 14, 1947, published by the Herald and Post from Boston, Massachusetts. Here’s a detailed summary:

Left Clipping:

  • Title: "Colonial Pastor" and "Unknown Copley Found at Bowdoin"
  • Content:
    • The first part mentions a portrait by John Singleton Copley of the Reverend Samuel Stillman, pastor of the Old South Church in Boston, from 1765 to 1807. This portrait was exhibited at Bowdoin College from April 15 through April 30.
    • The second part discusses an unknown painting discovered at Bowdoin College. It was identified as a work by John Singleton Copley, specifically titled "The Indian Priest," through X-ray investigation. The painting was initially thought to be a portrait of a 17th-century figure but was later revealed to be an unfinished portrait of a priest.

Right Clipping:

  • Title: "Find Copley Painting in 19th Museum at Bowdoin"
  • Content:
    • The main focus of this clipping is the revelation of an X-ray that identified a painting by John Singleton Copley as being in the Bowdoin Museum of Fine Arts. The painting was previously thought to be an unknown work.
    • The article details that the X-ray examination by Dr. Alan Burroughs of the Harvard Museum of Fine Arts revealed that the painting was indeed by Copley, and it had been mistakenly attributed to another artist.
    • The painting was part of the Bowdoin College collection and was previously thought to be an unfinished portrait of a 17th-century figure. The X-ray study clarified its identity as an earlier work by Copley.

Both clippings highlight the use of X-ray technology in uncovering the true artist and subject of a long unidentified painting, revealing historical and artistic insights.

Mistral, mistral.magistral-small-2509

The image shows a yellowed, aged page from a press clipping service, dated April 14, 1947. The page contains two main articles, both related to art and historical discoveries.

The first article, titled "Unknown Copley Found at Bowdoin," discusses the discovery of an unknown painting by John Singleton Copley at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine. The painting, initially believed to be by an unknown artist, was revealed to be Copley's work through X-ray analysis. The article provides details about the painting, its condition, and how it was identified.

The second article, headlined "Find Copley Painting in Museum at Bowdoin," also covers the same discovery. It includes a photograph of the painting and provides additional context about the significance of the find. The article mentions that the painting, which had been previously attributed to another artist, was confirmed to be the work of John Singleton Copley, an important American artist.

Both articles highlight the significance of this discovery for art historians and the institution, emphasizing the techniques used to verify the painting's authenticity. The page also includes a small, separate clipping about a portrait of John Singleton Copley, which is unrelated to the main articles.

Mistral, mistral.mistral-large-3-675b-instruct

The image is a newspaper clipping from the Boston Post, dated April 14, 1941. The headline reads "Find Copley Painting in Museum at Bowdoin," detailing the discovery of a previously unknown painting by John Singleton Copley, a renowned American colonial portraitist.

Summary of the Articles:

Left Side:

  • Title: Unknown Copley Found at Bowdoin
  • Content:
    • The article discusses the discovery of a painting at Bowdoin College attributed to John Singleton Copley.
    • The painting was found using X-ray examination techniques, which revealed another painting beneath a known portrait of Reverend Johann Friedrich Peter.
    • The portrait underneath is identified as "The Indian Princess," a work previously unknown to be by Copley.
    • The article mentions that X-ray examinations showed that the painting had undergone changes and that the final build-up was done to obscure the original painting.
    • Professor Philip C. Beam from Bowdoin Museum and Alan Burroughs of the Fogg Museum at Harvard University conducted the study.

Right Side:

  • Title: Painting by Copley Revealed
  • Content:
    • The X-ray revealed the initial painting, which depicts a colonial pastor, beneath the final surface image.
    • The article notes that this discovery is part of a series of X-ray studies of 17th and 18th-century paintings from the Boston Museum of Fine Arts and other collections.
    • These studies aim to uncover lost works by famous artists, including Copley.
    • The article also mentions an exhibition of these paintings at the Bowdoin College Museum of Fine Arts, which includes portraits by Gilbert Stuart and John Smibert, among others.

Additional Information:

  • Studies Old Gifts:
    • This section details the historical context of Bowdoin College’s art collection, which includes significant donations from James Bowdoin III.
    • The collection includes works by famous artists like Sir Anthony Van Dyck and Thomas Gainsborough.
    • The article highlights the importance of the ongoing X-ray studies in revealing hidden layers and details in old paintings, providing new insights into the works of these master artists.

Overall, the clippings highlight the fascinating discovery of a previously unknown painting by John Singleton Copley using advanced X-ray techniques, showcasing the importance of technological advancements in art history research.

Mistral, mistral.ministral-3-14b-instruct

The image is a collection of two newspaper clippings from April 14, 1941, both originating from the Press Clipping Service at 2 Park Square, Boston, Mass.

  1. Left Clipping:

    • Headline: "COLONIAL PASTOR"
    • Subheading: "Johnston's portrait of the Rev. Samuel Stillman, pastor of the Old South Church, Boston, from 1765 to 1807, exhibited with other paintings from Bowdoin College, April 15 through 30."
    • Content: The article discusses a portrait by John Singleton Copley of the Rev. Samuel Stillman, who was a pastor at the Old South Church in Boston. The portrait is being exhibited along with other paintings from Bowdoin College.
  2. Right Clipping:

    • Headline: "Find Copley Painting in '45 Museum at Bowdoin"
    • Subheading: "PAINTING BY COPLEY REVEALED"
    • Content: The article reveals that an X-ray of a painting at the Bowdoin College Museum of Art has uncovered a previously unknown work by John Singleton Copley. The painting was initially thought to be a portrait of a woman by Copley, but X-rays showed another portrait underneath.
    • Details: The hidden portrait is believed to be of a man, possibly the Reverend John Singleton Copley, the artist's father. The painting is titled "The Indian Priest" and dates back to around 1765. The discovery was made during an investigation of the painting's condition and is part of a study of 18th-century portraits in the museum's collection.

The clippings include photographs of the subjects of the paintings and are focused on the historical and artistic significance of the newly discovered work by Copley.

Mistral, mistral.ministral-3-8b-instruct

The image is a collection of two newspaper clippings from April 14, 1947, detailing the discovery of an unknown painting by John Singleton Copley at Bowdoin College.

  1. Left Clipping (Herald):

    • Headline: "Unknown Copley Found at Bowdoin"
    • Content:
      • The Bowdoin Museum of Fine Arts, Brunswick, Maine, has discovered an unidentified painting by Copley.
      • The painting, titled "The Indian Print," was created by Copley in 1765.
      • The painting was hidden beneath another work and was revealed using X-ray technology.
      • The X-ray was performed by Prof. Philip C. Bean, and the discovery was made during an exhibition of the museum's 17th and 18th-century collection.
      • The painting was initially covered by another piece, which had been removed in 1915.
      • The painting depicts a colonial pastor, the Rev. Samuel Stillman, who served at the Old South Church in Boston from 1765 to 1807.
  2. Right Clipping (Post):

    • Headline: "Find Copley Painting in Museum at Bowdoin"
    • Content:
      • The X-ray technology revealed a Copley painting beneath another work in Bowdoin College Museum of Fine Arts.
      • The painting was identified as a portrait of John Singleton Copley himself, done by an unknown artist.
      • The painting was originally covered by another piece, which was removed in 1915.
      • The Bowdoin Museum's collection includes many portraits of colonial figures and was studied for the initial exhibition.
      • The discovery was made during a study of the museum's 17th and 18th-century paintings.
      • The painting is of significant historical value, as it adds to the understanding of Copley's work and his own portraiture.

Both clippings provide detailed accounts of the discovery of the hidden painting and the methods used to reveal it. The left clipping also includes a portrait of the Rev. Samuel Stillman, who is the subject of the painting.

Azure OpenAI Service, gpt-4

This image shows a vintage scrapbook page with two newspaper clippings, both dated April 14, 1941, from the Press Clipping Service in Boston, Massachusetts. The clippings are related to historical subjects, possibly discussing a notable painting and art exhibition. One headline mentions "Find Copley Painting in Museum at Bowdoin," which might refer to a newly discovered work by the artist John Singleton Copley at Bowdoin College Museum. The paper exhibits typical signs of aging, such as discoloration, creases, and small tears around the edges. There is also a small blue pin or fastener holding the page together on the right side.

Azure OpenAI Service, gpt-4.1-mini-2025-04-14

The image shows a scrapbook or press clipping page with two newspaper clippings from the Press Clipping Service in Boston, Mass., both dated April 14, 1941. The clippings discuss the discovery of a painting at Bowdoin College attributed to John Singleton Copley, a famous painter.

The clipping on the left features a small image of a colonial pastor and text about an unknown Copley painting found at Bowdoin, mentioning X-ray examinations revealing previously unseen details and giving some historical context.

The larger clipping on the right has a heading "Find Copley Painting in Museum at Bowdoin" with a large image of a man in colonial attire. The article below discusses the X-ray reveal of the painting, believed to be by John Singleton Copley, and provides more detailed information about the painting, Bowdoin College's art collection, and studies of old gifts and portraits related to American colonial history.

The page is aged and has some wear and tear, including two holes punched on the right side. The title on the right clipping has a handwritten correction, changing "1941" to "1945."

Amazon, amazon.nova-lite-v1:0

A press clipping service from April 14, 1941, features an article titled "Find Copley Painting in Museum at Bowdoin." The article discusses the discovery of an unknown portrait by John Singleton Copley at the Bowdoin College Museum of Fine Art. The portrait, which was X-rayed by Alan Burroughs of Harvard University, was found in an unfinished state and left untouched for years. The article provides details about the portrait's condition and the process of its discovery.

Amazon, us.amazon.nova-2-lite-v1:0

Description of the Image:

The image shows a historical newspaper clipping from April 14, 1941, published by the Press Clipping Service of 2 Park Square, Boston, Mass. The clipping is titled "Find Copley Painting in ‘45 Museum at Bowdoin" and is sourced from the Herald, also based in Boston, Massachusetts. The clipping is part of a collection of press clippings dated April 14, 1941, as indicated at the top of the page.

Main Content:

The clipping discusses the discovery of a previously unknown painting by the renowned 18th-century American artist John Singleton Copley at the Bowdoin College Museum of Fine Arts in Brunswick, Maine. The article highlights two significant findings:

  1. Portrait of Rev. Samuel Stillman:

    • The article mentions a portrait of Rev. Samuel Stillman, the pastor of the First Baptist Church on Brattle Street, Boston, painted by Copley between 1765 and 1807. This portrait was exhibited at Bowdoin College from April 15 through 30, alongside other paintings from the museum's collection.
  2. Unknown Copley Painting:

    • The article details the discovery of an unknown painting by Copley, identified through X-ray examinations. This painting, referred to as "The Indian Priest," was found to be an unfinished portrait of an Indian man, painted in gray wash on an developed canvas. The painting was initially mistaken for a work by another artist but was later confirmed to be by Copley through X-ray analysis.
    • The discovery was made during an investigation into a collection of 18th-century paintings at Bowdoin College, where the painting was part of the museum’s holdings. The article notes that the painting was in an unfinished state, with areas of gray wash and undeveloped surfaces.

Visual Elements:

  • Photographs:

    • The clipping includes two photographs:
      1. On the left side, there is a portrait of Rev. Samuel Stillman, the subject of one of the paintings discussed.
      2. On the right side, there is a photograph of the Copley painting, showing the unfinished portrait of an Indian man. The caption beneath the photograph reads: "PAINTING BY COPLEY REVEALED. The X-ray revealed this painting in the Bowdoin College Museum of Fine Arts at Brunswick, Me., April 13."
  • Text Layout:

    • The text is arranged in a typical newspaper format, with headlines, subheadings, and body text. The article is structured to provide context, details of the discoveries, and quotes from experts involved in the investigation.

Additional Context:

  • The article also mentions a broader study of old gifts at Bowdoin, noting that the museum’s collection includes works by notable artists such as James Bowdoin, Mrs. Henry Dearborn, and Spain Under Jefferson Davis. The discovery of the Copley painting is presented as a significant addition to the museum’s holdings and a notable contribution to the understanding of Copley’s work.

Overall Impression:

The clipping serves as a historical document, capturing a moment of artistic discovery in 1941. It highlights the importance of scientific methods (such as X-ray analysis) in uncovering hidden layers of art history and provides insight into the preservation and study of colonial-era paintings. The inclusion of photographs and detailed descriptions underscores the significance of the findings for both the museum and the broader art community.