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Fogg Art Museum Scrapbooks, October 1943-May 1947

ARCH.2003.29, Rendition: 803483

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This image displays a vintage promotional or archival sheet, likely from 1943, mounted on a tan-colored paper or folder with two white binder rings on the left edge.

The sheet contains two main components:

  1. A Black-and-White Etching by W. Harry Smith:

    • Title and Date: Handwritten at the top left reads “Calendar - 1943,” suggesting this image may have been part of a company calendar.
    • Subject: The artwork is a detailed etching of the Fogg Museum of Art at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, as indicated by the handwritten caption beneath the image.
    • Artist: Signed by “W. Harry Smith” in the lower right corner of the etching.
    • Visual Description: The etching depicts a grand, brick institutional building with classical architectural features, including a prominent entrance, columns, pediments, and large multi-paned windows. A wide stone staircase leads up to the entrance. The scene is rich with trees and foliage, giving it a lush, established feel. Several figures are on the steps — a woman with a large parasol, a child, and another person — adding a human scale and a sense of activity. The style is traditional and finely detailed with line work.
    • Sponsor/Origin: A printed label in the top right corner identifies the source as “NEW ENGLAND BRICK CO. BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS,” indicating the company likely commissioned or sponsored this print, possibly to showcase their work (brickwork) in notable buildings.
  2. Descriptive Text Panel:

    • Header: Bold, centered text reads “FOGG MUSEUM HARVARD UNIVERSITY”.
    • Source: Below the header, it states “From an Original Etching By W. Harry Smith,” confirming the artwork’s origin.
    • Content: A block of typewritten text (covered by a transparent protective layer, possibly cellophane or tape) describes the museum building. It highlights that:
      • The building is among the largest and most successful recent additions to Harvard University.
      • It features “Harvard” brick, laid in Flemish bond with dark headers, contrasting with white-painted divided windows—choices influenced by proximity to the “old Yard” and Colonial precedents.
      • It houses the university’s art collections.
      • Key architectural features include a large central court, a two-storied hall with a barrel-vaulted ceiling, and surrounding exhibition rooms.
      • The proportions are “picturesque,” and details are developed with “refined taste and care” to demonstrate possibilities of “modern brick” and “Colonial architecture, done in the traditional manner.”

In summary, this image is a historical promotional piece from the New England Brick Co., likely from their 1943 calendar, showcasing their brickwork in the Fogg Museum through a finely rendered etching by W. Harry Smith, accompanied by a descriptive text panel that extols the building’s architectural merits and connection to traditional Colonial design.

Qwen, Qwen/Qwen2.5-VL-7B-Instruct

The image is a vintage page from an advertisement or calendar from 1943, showcasing the Fogg Museum of Art at Harvard University. The top portion of the image features a black-and-white etching of the museum's facade, with some trees and people holding umbrellas in front of it, suggesting a rainy day. The etching is attributed to "W. Harry Smith."

Below the etching, there is a descriptive text about the Fogg Museum, highlighting its architectural features and materials. The text mentions that the museum is built with traditional "waterstruck 'Harvard' brick," laid in Flemish bond with dark headers, contrasting with white-painted windows and other elements inspired by colonial architecture. The museum houses the art collections of Harvard University and includes a large arched central court, two stories high, made of travertine stone, and a hall of the same height with an antique ceiling of carved wood. The text concludes by praising the proportions and details of the museum, emphasizing its demonstration of "some of the possibilities of modern brick, Colonial architecture, done in the traditional manner."

The page is labeled "Calendar - 1943" at the top, and there is a note in the top right corner that reads "New England Brick Co. Boston, Massachusetts," indicating the source or sponsor of the advertisement. The entire page is held within a protective sleeve and appears to be part of an older document or collection.

Qwen, Qwen/Qwen2.5-VL-72B-Instruct

This image shows a page from a calendar titled "New England Brick Co. Boston, Massachusetts" for the year 1943. The page features an etching of the Fogg Museum of Art at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The etching is signed by W. Harry Smith and depicts the front entrance of the museum, with some people and a tree in the foreground.

Below the etching, there is a description of the Fogg Museum, which reads:

"Fogg Museum
Harvard University

From an Original Etching
By W. Harry Smith

The new home of the Fogg Museum is one of the largest and most successful among the extended group of buildings added in recent years to Harvard University. Proximity to the old 'Yard' influenced the choice of materials and type of design. The walls are of traditional, waterstruck 'Harvard' brick, laid Flemish bond with dark headers contrasting effectively with the white painted, divided windows and other details adapted from Colonial precedents of earlier times.

The building houses the art collections of the University. Within, the principal features are a large arcaded central court, two stories in height, of travertine stone, and a hall, also of two stories, with a fine antique ceiling of carved wood. Around the central court, rooms of various sizes are arranged for exhibition purposes.

The proportions of the museum are pleasant and the details are developed with sufficient taste and care to demonstrate some of the possibilities of modern brick, Colonial architecture, done in the traditional manner."

The page is bound with two rings on the left side, and the paper has a beige, aged appearance.

Amazon, amazon.nova-pro-v1:0

The image is a page from a calendar, possibly from the year 1943. The calendar page features a black-and-white illustration of a house with a tree in front of it. The house has a staircase leading to the entrance, and there are two people standing in front of it. The text "Fogg Museum, Harvard University" is printed on the bottom of the page, along with some other text. The calendar page is attached to a brown folder with a white border.

Amazon, amazon.nova-lite-v1:0

The image is of a calendar from 1943. It is a black and white drawing of a building. The building has a staircase leading to the entrance. The staircase is surrounded by plants and trees. There is a tree in front of the building. There is a person holding an umbrella and a child walking in front of the building. The calendar has a watermark of "New England Brick Co. Boston, Massachusetts" on the top right corner.

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Description of the Image:

The image shows a document or folder containing two primary components:

Top Section:

  • Document Title: "Calendar - 1943"
  • Header: "NEW ENGLAND BRICK CO. BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS"
  • Visual Content: A detailed black-and-white illustration or sketch depicting a building labeled "FOGG MUSEUM." The illustration shows:
    • A classical architectural style with symmetrical design.
    • A central entrance with a grand staircase leading up to a portico.
    • Columns supporting the portico, giving it a neoclassical appearance.
    • The building is surrounded by trees and greenery, suggesting a park-like setting.
    • A few figures are visible near the entrance, possibly visitors or staff, adding a sense of scale and activity.
    • The text "FOGG MUSEUM" is prominently displayed above the entrance.

Bottom Section:

  • Caption/Description: A printed text block titled "FOGG MUSEUM HARVARD UNIVERSITY" with the subtitle "From an Original Etching By W. Harry Smith."
  • Content of the Text:
    • Describes the Fogg Museum as the new home of the museum, part of Harvard University.
    • Highlights architectural features:
      • The building is noted as one of the largest and most successful additions to Harvard's campus.
      • It incorporates traditional elements, such as white brick construction and Flemish bond brickwork.
      • The design reflects colonial influences, with details like dark headers and divided windows.
      • The building includes two stories, a central hall, and long corridors with exhibition spaces.
      • The proportions and details are developed with subtlety and care, emphasizing the integration of modern design with traditional colonial aesthetics.
    • Mentions the use of materials and design choices that reflect the university's identity and the "old" influence on the new structure.

Overall Context:

  • The document appears to be part of an archival or museum collection, likely from the Fogg Art Museum at Harvard University.
  • The top section is an original etching or illustration of the Fogg Museum, while the bottom section provides a descriptive caption or commentary on the building, its design, and its significance.
  • The folder is labeled "Calendar - 1943," suggesting it may have been part of a calendar or publication from that year, possibly related to the New England Brick Co. in Boston, Massachusetts.

This combination of visual art and descriptive text offers a comprehensive view of the Fogg Museum's architecture and its historical and cultural importance.

Meta, us.meta.llama3-2-11b-instruct-v1:0

The image presents a vintage sketch of the Fogg Museum at Harvard University, accompanied by a brief description of the museum's history and features.

  • Sketch of the Fogg Museum
    • The sketch is rendered in black and white on a beige background.
    • It depicts the museum's facade, showcasing its architectural details, including a staircase leading up to the entrance.
    • The sketch also features people standing in front of the building, adding a sense of life and activity to the scene.
  • Description of the Fogg Museum
    • The description is written in black text on a beige background.
    • It provides an overview of the museum's history, highlighting its significance as one of the largest and most successful extended groups of buildings added in recent years to Harvard University.
    • The description also mentions the museum's design, which was influenced by the choice of materials and the shape of design.
    • Additionally, it notes the use of traditional, weathered brick, laid Flemish bond with dark headers, contrasting with the white painted divided windows and other details adopted from Colonial precedents of earlier times.
    • The description concludes by mentioning the building's art collections, which are a large and varied group of two stories, with a large central court, two stories in height, of travertine stone, and other buildings, including a library, a gallery, and a lecture hall, as well as rooms of various sizes, estimated for exhibition purposes.
    • The proportions of the museum are pleasing, and the details are developed with infinite care to demonstrate some of the principles of modern design, Colonial architecture, done in the "rustic" manner.

In summary, the image showcases a beautiful sketch of the Fogg Museum at Harvard University, accompanied by a detailed description of the museum's history, design, and features. The sketch and description work together to provide a comprehensive understanding of this iconic institution.

Meta, us.meta.llama3-2-90b-instruct-v1:0

The image depicts a page from a scrapbook or album, featuring a sketch of the Fogg Museum at Harvard University. The sketch is rendered in black and white, showcasing the museum's entrance with a large tree on the left side. The title "Fogg Museum" is prominently displayed below the sketch, accompanied by a brief description of the museum's history and architecture.

Key Features:

  • Sketch: A black-and-white sketch of the Fogg Museum's entrance, featuring a large tree on the left side.
  • Title: "Fogg Museum" is written in bold letters below the sketch.
  • Description: A brief text describes the museum's history and architecture, including its construction in 1895 and its design by architects Richard Morris Hunt and Henry Hobson Richardson.
  • Page Layout: The sketch and description are placed on a beige background, with a gray border around the edges of the page.
  • Scrapbook or Album: The page appears to be part of a larger scrapbook or album, with other pages visible in the background.

Overall Impression:

The image provides a glimpse into the history and architecture of the Fogg Museum at Harvard University. The sketch and description offer a detailed look at the museum's design and construction, while the page layout and background suggest that the image is part of a larger collection of documents or memorabilia.

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The image is a scanned page from a calendar, featuring an etching of the Fogg Museum at Harvard University.

  • The page is mounted on a brown cardboard backing with three holes punched along the left side.
  • The top of the page has "Calendar - 1943" written in black ink.
  • Below this, there is a white rectangle containing the etching.
    • The etching is a black-and-white drawing of the Fogg Museum's entrance.
    • It depicts a large brick building with a decorative doorway and a staircase leading up to it.
    • Several people are shown walking up the stairs or standing outside the building, some holding umbrellas.
    • The etching is signed "W. Harry Smith" in the bottom-right corner.
    • The words "Fogg Museum of Art Cambridge Mass" are written in small letters at the bottom-left corner.
  • Below the etching, there is a typed description of the Fogg Museum.
    • The text is titled "FOGG MUSEUM HARVARD UNIVERSITY" and is written in a formal font.
    • It describes the museum's architecture and its collections.
    • The text is printed on a beige background with a black border.
  • The overall design of the page suggests that it was part of a calendar or promotional material for the Fogg Museum.

The image provides a glimpse into the history of the Fogg Museum and its architecture, as well as the artistic style of the time period.

Meta, us.meta.llama4-scout-17b-instruct-v1:0

The image presents a vintage document featuring an etching of the Fogg Museum at Harvard University, accompanied by a descriptive text.

Etching:

  • The etching is rendered in black and white.
  • It depicts the front entrance of the Fogg Museum, showcasing a large stone building with a central doorway flanked by two windows.
  • A staircase leads up to the entrance, where three individuals are standing under umbrellas.
  • The scene is set against a backdrop of trees and bushes.

Document Details:

  • The document is mounted on a brown paper background.
  • A small label in the top-right corner reads "New England Brick Co. Boston, Massachusetts."
  • Handwritten notes in the top-left corner indicate "Calendar - 1943" and "Fogg Museum of Art Cambridge Mass."
  • A typed description of the Fogg Museum is provided below the etching, detailing its architecture and features.

Overall Impression:

  • The image exudes a sense of nostalgia and historical significance.
  • The use of a vintage document and etching creates a unique and captivating visual effect.