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Fogg Art Museum Scrapbooks, October 1943-May 1947

ARCH.2003.29, Rendition: 803454

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The image appears to be a scanned copy of an old newspaper article from "The Buffalo Evening News," dated Saturday, December 4, 1943. The article discusses the local paintings auction and the controversy surrounding it. It mentions that the Albright Art Gallery, located in Buffalo, New York, auctioned off some of its stored paintings at "ridiculous prices." The article highlights the artists' reactions and complaints about the sale, suggesting they believe the artworks should not have been auctioned off and were of poor quality for museum standards. It also includes a statement from Dr. Andrew C. Ritchie, director of the Albright Art Gallery, defending the decision to sell the artworks. There is another article on the same page about a Buffalo artist proposing to drive on "insane" art, along with a signed article by Alex Levy, discussing the art field in Buffalo. The document shows signs of age, with a yellowed appearance, and the text has been timestamped and marked with numbers, possibly for organizational purposes.

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This image shows a piece of aged yellowish paper, likely a scrapbook page or a collection of newspaper clippings related to an art controversy in 1943. The paper has several items glued to it:

  1. Newspaper Clippings:

    • The main clipping is from the "Buffalo, N.Y. Evening News" dated Saturday, December 4, 1943. The headline reads "NEW YORK AUCTION OF LOCAL PAINTINGS STIRS UP ART STORM." The article discusses the controversy surrounding the Albright Art Gallery in Buffalo for auctioning off some of its stored paintings at low prices, causing an uproar among artists.
    • Another clipping is from the same newspaper, dated Wednesday, December 8, 1943, with the headline "Buffalo Artist Proposes Drive on 'Insane' Art." This article discusses a local artist's proposal to drive out what they consider to be sadistic and insane art from the Buffalo Fine Arts Academy.
  2. Handwritten Notes:

    • There are some handwritten notes on the clippings, such as "Local News 92 3" and "195 93," which might be categorization or filing codes.
  3. Additional Text:

    • There is a statement titled "Ritchie Says Auctioned Art Was Not of Museum Quality," which appears to be a response from Dr. Andrew C. Ritchie, the director of the Albright Art Gallery, explaining the gallery's decision to auction off the paintings.

The overall theme of the clippings and notes suggests a significant debate and controversy in the art community of Buffalo in 1943 regarding the disposal of art pieces and the quality of art being displayed. The paper itself shows signs of age, with some wear and tear, indicating it has been preserved for a long time.

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The image is a scanned page from a newspaper or magazine, likely from the early 20th century, given the style and the content. The page is slightly aged, with a brownish tint and some visible creases and folds. There are several articles and headlines, each with distinct sections and subheadings.

Top Section:

  • The top section features a headline: "NEW YORK AUCTION OF LOCAL PAINTINGS STIRS UP ART STORM."
  • Below the headline, there is a subheading: "Artists Complain."
  • The article discusses an auction of local paintings in New York, which has caused controversy among artists. The text mentions that some artists are upset about the auction, possibly due to the perceived devaluation of their work or the methods used in the auction.

Middle Section:

  • This section has a headline: "Buffalo Artist Proposes Drive on 'Insane' Art."
  • The article is about a Buffalo-based artist who is advocating for a campaign against what he considers "insane" art. He suggests that the Buffalo Fine Arts Academy should focus on promoting more traditional and classical art forms instead of contemporary or avant-garde pieces.
  • The artist argues that the academy's current direction is leading to the creation of "insane" art, which he believes is detrimental to the art community and the public's appreciation of art.

Bottom Section:

  • The bottom section contains another article with the headline: "Ritchie Says Auctioned Art Was Not of Museum Quality."
  • This article reports on a statement by Dr. Albright C. Ritchie, likely a critic or curator, who comments on the quality of the art that was auctioned. Dr. Ritchie asserts that the auctioned art did not meet the standards of museum-quality work.
  • The article includes quotes from Dr. Ritchie, who explains his reasoning and the criteria he uses to evaluate art.

Additional Details:

  • The page has some handwritten notes and annotations, possibly by a reader who marked specific parts of the articles.
  • There are also some small advertisements or notices scattered throughout the page, though they are not the main focus.

Analysis:
The page reflects a period of debate and controversy within the art community, particularly around the themes of art valuation, the direction of art institutions, and the quality of art being produced and auctioned. The articles highlight the tensions between traditionalists and modernists in the art world, as well as the concerns of artists about the commercialization and perceived devaluation of their work. The handwritten notes suggest that the reader was engaged with the content, possibly indicating a personal or professional interest in the topics discussed.

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The image appears to be a clipping from a newspaper. The clipping is from the Buffalo Evening News and is dated December 4, 1943. The clipping contains an article with the headline "NEW YORK AUCTION OF LOCAL PAINTINGS STIRS UP ART STORM." The article discusses an auction of local paintings in New York that has caused controversy among artists and art enthusiasts.

The article mentions that the American Artists' Professional League, which reports in the December issue of the League's publication, has expressed concern over the auction. The League's director, Dr. Albright, has stated that the auction does not meet the attitude of the American Artists' Professional League and that the gallery's actions are not of museum quality.

The article also discusses the Buffalo Fine Arts Academy's proposal to drive an "insane" auction having a detrimental effect on the local art scene. The Academy's director, Louis Kronberg, argues that the Buffalo Fine Arts Academy, which employs a large number of its artists in a permanent capacity, should not be subject to the whims of a private gallery.

The clipping also includes a letter from a Buffalo artist, Jack Gardner, who purchased a painting by another artist, Warren Quintin, at the auction. Gardner expresses his concern over the gallery's actions and the potential harm it could cause to the reputation of the artists involved.

Overall, the clipping provides insight into the controversy surrounding the auction of local paintings in New York and the concerns of the American Artists' Professional League and other artists and art enthusiasts.

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Description of the Image:

The image shows a scanned page from a newspaper, specifically the Buffalo Evening News, dated Saturday, December 4, 1943. The page contains a collection of news articles and clippings, primarily focused on art and cultural events in Buffalo, New York, during that era. Here is a detailed breakdown of the content:


Header Information:

  • Newspaper Title: Buffalo Evening News
  • Date: Saturday, December 4, 1943
  • Page Number: 3 (indicated in the top-left corner)
  • Headline: "NEW YORK AUCTION OF LOCAL PAINTINGS STIRS UP ART STORM"

Main Articles:

  1. Article Title: "NEW YORK AUCTION OF LOCAL PAINTINGS STIRS UP ART STORM"

    • Content Summary:
      • This article discusses a controversial auction of local paintings held in New York. The auction was organized by the Albright Art Gallery, which sparked significant debate within the art community.
      • Key points include:
        • The gallery auctioned over 100 paintings, including works by local artists, which were deemed "questionable" in quality.
        • The American Artists Professional League (AAPL) criticized the auction, arguing that it devalued the artists' work and damaged their reputations.
        • The gallery defended its actions, stating that the auction was part of its mission to dispose of certain artworks, and that the decision was made by an Art Committee.
        • The article highlights the tension between the gallery and local artists, with some artists expressing outrage over the perceived devaluation of their work.
  2. Article Title: "Ritchie Says Auctioned Art Was Not of Museum Quality"

    • Content Summary:
      • This article quotes Dr. Andrew C. Ritchie, the director of the Albright Art Gallery, who commented on the auction.
      • Dr. Ritchie stated that the auctioned art was not of museum quality and that the gallery had disposed of these items as part of its regular practice.
      • The article emphasizes the gallery's stance that the auction was a routine disposal of lower-quality works, rather than a deliberate act to devalue local artists.
  3. Article Title: "Buffalo Artist Proposes Drive on 'Inane' Art"

    • Content Summary:
      • This article discusses a proposal by a local artist, Albert Kronberg, who suggested a campaign against what he termed "inane" or low-quality art.
      • Kronberg criticizes the Buffalo Fine Arts Academy for acquiring works that he considers substandard, arguing that such acquisitions devalue the art community.
      • He calls for a drive to improve the quality of art in Buffalo, suggesting that the city should focus on supporting and showcasing better works rather than accepting mediocre pieces.
      • The article also mentions the Buffalo Fine Arts Academy's annual contribution to the city's cultural life and its role in promoting art education.

Visual Layout:

  • The page is formatted in a typical newspaper style, with multiple columns of text.
  • The articles are separated by clear headings and subheadings.
  • There are no visible images or photographs on this page; it is entirely textual.
  • The text is typed in a monospaced font, consistent with newspaper printing of the era.

Additional Notes:

  • The page includes a handwritten note in the top-left corner that reads "Local Notes 9/32", possibly indicating a filing or cataloging reference.
  • The articles reflect the cultural and artistic debates of the time, highlighting tensions between institutions like galleries and museums and local artists over the valuation and presentation of art.

Overall Impression:

The image captures a snapshot of mid-20th-century art discourse, focusing on the controversy surrounding an auction of local paintings in New York and a local artist's critique of art quality in Buffalo. The articles provide insight into the challenges faced by artists and institutions in evaluating and promoting art during this period.

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The image depicts a collection of newspaper clippings from the Buffalo Evening News, dated December 4, 1943. The clippings are arranged on a piece of brown paper with two holes punched in it, suggesting that they were once part of a larger document or file.

The clippings appear to be related to art and culture, with headlines such as "New York Auction of Local Paintings Stirs Up Art Storm" and "Ritchie Says Auctioned Art Was Not of Museum Quality." The articles discuss the controversy surrounding an auction of local paintings in New York City, with some critics arguing that the works are not of high enough quality to be considered museum-worthy.

The clippings also include a letter to the editor from a reader who expresses their opinion on the matter, stating that they believe the auction is a "drive on local artists" and that it is not surprising to them that the Buffalo Fine Arts Academy has stirred up an art storm by the rather extensive display of a large number of its permanent collection of paintings.

Overall, the image provides a glimpse into the art world of the 1940s and the debates surrounding the value and quality of local art. It also highlights the importance of preserving historical documents and artifacts, such as newspaper clippings, which can provide valuable insights into the past.

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The image shows a page from an old newspaper, with the headline "New York Auction of Local Paintings Stirs Up Art Storm" and several other articles and advertisements.

  • The headline is in large black text at the top left of the page, with the date "Saturday, December 4, 1948" written below it.
  • Below the headline are several paragraphs of text describing the auction and its controversy.
  • To the right of the headline is a small article about a local art gallery, with the title "Ritchie Says Auctioned Art Was Not of Museum Quality".
  • Below this article is another article about a Buffalo artist proposing a drive on "Insane" Art.
  • The background of the page is a light brown color, with a slight yellow tint due to aging.
  • The page appears to be torn from a larger newspaper, with a rough edge on the right side and a small hole in the top-right corner.
  • Overall, the image suggests that the newspaper was published in the late 1940s and is now an antique or vintage item.

The image provides a glimpse into the art world of the 1940s, highlighting controversies and debates surrounding the auction of local paintings and the definition of "museum quality" art.

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The image presents a yellowed, aged newspaper clipping on a brown paper background, featuring three articles related to the art world. The clipping is torn and worn, with visible creases and holes along the right edge.

Article 1:
The first article, titled "NEW YORK AUCTION OF LOCAL PAINTINGS STIRS UP ART STORM," is dated Saturday, December 4, 1943. It discusses a controversy surrounding an auction of local paintings at the Albright Art Gallery in Buffalo, New York. The article highlights the concerns of artists and art professionals regarding the sale of works by living artists, citing the potential harm to their reputation and livelihood.

Article 2:
The second article, titled "Ritchie Says Auctioned Art Was Not of Museum Quality," is also dated December 4, 1943. It features a response from Dr. Robert C. Vose, director of the Albright Art Gallery, defending the quality of the artworks sold at the auction. Vose argues that the paintings were of high quality and that the criticism was unfounded.

Article 3:
The third article, titled "Buffalo Artist Proposes 'Insane' Art," is dated Tuesday, December 7, 1943. It reports on a proposal by a local artist to create "insane" art, which was met with skepticism by the art community. The article quotes the artist as saying that the current state of art is "insane" and that he intends to create work that is even more so.

Background:
The background of the image is a plain gray color, providing a neutral backdrop for the newspaper clipping. The overall appearance of the image suggests that it is a scanned or photographed copy of an original document, possibly from an archive or historical collection.

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The image presents a vintage newspaper clipping, likely from the 1940s, featuring two articles related to art and auctions. The clipping is yellowed with age and has a rough, aged appearance.

  • Newspaper Clipping
    • The clipping appears to be from the "Buffalo N. Y. Evening News" dated Saturday, December 4, 1943.
    • The main article is titled "NEW YORK AUCTION OF LOCAL PAINTINGS STIRS UP ART STORM."
    • The article discusses a controversy surrounding the sale of local paintings at an auction in New York, with some artists expressing concerns about the prices and the impact on the art community.
    • A smaller article above the main one is titled "Ritchie Says Auctioned Art Was Not of Museum Quality."
    • This article appears to be a response to the controversy, with Ritchie stating that the auctioned art was not of museum quality.
  • Second Newspaper Clipping
    • The second clipping is from the same newspaper, dated Wednesday, November 3, 1943.
    • The article is titled "Buffalo Artist Proposes Drive on 'Insane' Art."
    • The article discusses a proposal by a Buffalo artist to drive on "insane" art, which may refer to a campaign to promote or support artists who create unconventional or avant-garde works.
  • Background
    • The background of the image is a light brown color, suggesting that the clipping is mounted on a piece of cardboard or paper.
    • There are three holes punched along the right edge of the clipping, indicating that it may have been stored in a binder or folder at some point.

In summary, the image presents two newspaper clippings from the 1940s, discussing controversies and proposals related to art and auctions in Buffalo, New York. The clippings provide insight into the art world of the time and highlight the concerns and debates surrounding artistic value, pricing, and promotion.

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The image is a clipping of a newspaper page from the Buffalo, N.Y. Evening News, dated Saturday, December 4, 1948. The page contains three articles related to the art world:

  1. New York Auction of Local Paintings Stirs Up Art Storm:

    • This article discusses an auction of local paintings in New York that caused a stir in the art community.
    • The auction, held on December 3, was described as a "misfortune" by the American Artists Professional League, which believed it would devalue the artworks.
    • The article mentions that the auction included works by artists who had passed away and whose families needed to sell the paintings.
    • The prices for the paintings ranged from $100 to $50, with some pieces selling for as little as $10.
    • The article includes quotes from various individuals, including the director of the Albright Art Gallery, Gordon M. Smith, who defended the auction and the quality of the artworks.
  2. Ritchie Says Auctioned Art Was Not of Museum Quality:

    • This smaller article is a continuation or related piece to the first article.
    • It quotes Ritchie, who states that the artworks auctioned were not of museum quality and that the auction was a reasonable way to handle the artworks.
  3. Buffalo Artist Hits 'Drive on 'Insane' Art:

    • This article discusses a "drive on insane art" by the British Fine Arts Academy, which aimed to raise funds by auctioning off artworks deemed "insane."
    • The article mentions that the academy planned to auction off 500 paintings, including works by artists like Picasso, Matisse, and Klee.
    • The drive was criticized by some, including the artist Alex Levy, who argued that the academy was exploiting the artists and that the artworks were not insane but rather modern and progressive.

The page is yellowed with age, indicating it is an old newspaper clipping, and it has been preserved, possibly in a scrapbook or archive.