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Fogg Art Museum Scrapbooks, October 1943-May 1947

ARCH.2003.29, Rendition: 803771

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This image displays an open book or scrapbook, with its left-hand page filled with two pasted-in newspaper clippings from 1947, set against the aged, yellowed paper of the book itself. The page has visible green fabric edges, which are likely part of a decorative marbled paper border or the book’s binding.

The clippings are from the Sat Review of Literature and the NY Times, both dated in early March 1947. Red handwritten checkmarks and underlines have been added to both articles, suggesting they were reviewed or highlighted for emphasis.

Top Clipping: “Sat Review of Literature,” March 1, 1947

This is a letter to the editor titled “Rebuttal from Dooley.” It is a response by William Germain Dooley, Head of the Division of Education at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, to earlier criticisms made by James Thrall Soby in the Saturday Review of Literature. Dooley defends the practice of museum writing, arguing it is often unfairly dismissed as “incoherent, pompous, and complicated.” He counters Soby’s claim that museum writing is bad by noting that good writing is possible and that the museum’s audience deserves accessible, thoughtful, and “intimate” explanations. He specifically critiques Soby’s judgment by citing what he considers poor writing from Soby himself in a July 1945 Metropolitan Bulletin. The letter is signed with Dooley’s name and title.

Bottom Clipping: “N Y Times,” March 2, 1947

This article is titled “Drawings in the Fogg.” It reviews a two-volume catalogue of the Italian School drawings in the Fogg Museum of Art. The review notes that the new edition, edited by Agnes Mongan and Paul J. Sachs, is a significant improvement over the 1940 version: it consolidates the original three volumes into two, with one volume now containing not only Italian but also German, Flemish, Dutch, French, Spanish, and miscellaneous school drawings. The review points out that while the reduction has made the book more compact, the quality of reproduction has become less sharp in some cases due to the need to double up printing plates. Despite this, the review is overall positive, noting the catalogue’s importance for scholars and its value as a reference. It concludes by noting that the set, priced at $25, is available from the Harvard University Press.

Overall Impression:

The page functions as a curated record of a professional debate and institutional announcement from the art world in 1947. It suggests the book’s owner (likely Dooley himself) was engaged in contemporary discourse about museum pedagogy and cataloguing practices. The red markings imply active reading and intellectual engagement with the material. The physical presentation—clippings glued into a book with decorative edges—gives it the character of a personal or professional scrapbook, preserving these ephemeral printed items as significant documents.

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The image shows a page from a book or a collection of articles. The page is divided into two main sections.

The top section appears to be a reprint from "Sat Review of Literature" dated March 1, 1947, titled "Rebuttal from Dooley." The article is written by William Germain Dooley, who addresses comments made in a previous issue. It discusses the criticisms regarding the quality and coherence of art museum writing and defends the work of colleagues, particularly Mr. Soby.

The second section is a news clipping from the "New York Times" dated March 2, 1947, with the headline "Drawings in the Fogg." This article discusses the reissue of a critical catalogue by Agnes Mongan and Paul J. Sachs, focusing on the Fogg Museum of Art. It provides details about the catalogue, including its contents, the reissue, and the pricing information.

Both sections are printed in black ink on a light-colored paper. The page has a yellowish tint, indicating its age, and appears to be part of a collection or scrapbook, as there are visible staples and a section of another page on the right-hand side.

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This image shows a page from a scrapbook or journal containing clippings from newspapers or magazines. The page is divided into two main sections, each with a different article.

  1. Top Section:

    • The article is titled "Rebuttal from Dooley" and is from the "Sat Review of Literature" dated March 1, 1947.
    • The text is a detailed response or rebuttal written by William Germain Dooley, who is identified as the Head of the Division of Education at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, Massachusetts.
    • The content discusses critiques of museum writing and mentions specific individuals such as James Thrall Soby and William M. Ivins.
  2. Bottom Section:

    • The article is from "N Y Times" dated March 2, 1947, and is titled "Drawings in the Fogg."
    • It discusses a critical catalogue of drawings in the Fogg Museum of Art, mentioning Agnes Mongan and Paul J. Sachs.
    • The article talks about the reissuing of a monumental work originally published in 1940, noting changes in the second edition, such as the reduction from three volumes to two and the inclusion of various European schools of drawings.

Both articles are neatly pasted onto the page, and there are some handwritten notes or markings around the clippings, possibly for organization or personal reference. The overall appearance suggests a well-organized collection of articles related to art and museum studies from the late 1940s.

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The image depicts an open book with several pages visible, each containing printed text and annotations. The book appears to be a collection of articles or essays, possibly related to art, literature, or criticism. The pages are aged, with some discoloration and wear, suggesting it might be from an earlier era.

On the left side of the image, there is a page with a title at the top that reads "Sat Review of Literature" followed by "MAR 1 1947" and "1947" written in red ink. Below this, there is a paragraph of text discussing the writing style of a certain individual, possibly a critic or author, and referencing the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The text is dense and includes several lines of red ink annotations, which seem to highlight specific points or quotes.

The center of the image shows another page with a title that reads "Rebuttal from Dooley" and "MAR 1 1947" again, followed by more text. This page appears to be a response or rebuttal to the previous article, with the author defending their position and providing counterarguments. The text is similarly dense and annotated with red ink.

On the right side of the image, there is another page with a title that reads "Drawings in the Fog" and "MAR 1 1947" once more, followed by additional text. This page seems to discuss a specific art exhibition or collection, possibly related to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, as mentioned in the previous articles. The text is annotated with red ink, highlighting certain points or quotes.

Overall, the image presents a snapshot of a book containing articles or essays on art and literature, with annotations and rebuttals indicating a critical discussion or debate on the topics presented. The aged appearance of the pages suggests that the book is from a historical period, possibly the mid-20th century, given the dates mentioned in the titles.

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An open book is placed on a gray surface. The book has several pages with text written in black ink. The pages are arranged in a way that resembles a magazine or newspaper. The top left corner of the book has a red sticker with the words "Sat Review of Literature" written on it. The pages contain articles with different topics, such as art, literature, and history. The text is written in a cursive font, and some of the words are highlighted in red.

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The image shows an open book displaying two newspaper clippings or excerpts, each with a visible date and source. Here is a detailed description:

Top Section: "Sat Review of Literature"

  • Date: MAP 1947 (likely March 1947).
  • Source: The Saturday Review of Literature.
  • Content: The excerpt discusses a critique or review of a book or collection of writings. The text appears to be a review or commentary by William Gurman Dooley, who is identified as the Head of the Division of Education at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. The review critiques the work of Mr. Soby, a museum director, discussing his writing style, intellectual approach, and the museum's collection. The reviewer expresses opinions on Soby's writing, noting its poor quality and lack of clarity, while also addressing Soby's views on art and museums.

Bottom Section: "N Y Times"

  • Date: MAR 2 1947 (likely March 2, 1947).
  • Source: The New York Times.
  • Content: This excerpt is a review or announcement regarding the Fogg Museum of Art at Harvard University. It discusses the publication of a catalog titled Drawings in the Fogg Museum of Art, edited by Agnes Mongan, Paul J. Sachs, and Professor Agnes Mongan. The review highlights the significance of the catalog, noting that it is the second edition of a catalog originally published in 1940. The text emphasizes the catalog's focus on drawings, particularly from the Italian school, and mentions that it includes reproductions of works from various European schools, including Spanish and miscellaneous collections. The review also notes that the catalog is available for purchase at the Harvard University Press for $25.

Visual Details:

  • The pages are aged, with visible creases and slight discoloration, suggesting the book is old.
  • Handwritten notes or markings are visible in the margins, including a red underline and some annotations.
  • The layout is typical of newspaper clippings or excerpts, with clear column formatting and typefaces consistent with mid-20th-century printing.
  • The book spine is visible on the left, indicating it is part of a larger collection or scrapbook.

Overall Context:

The image depicts a page from a scrapbook or collection of newspaper clippings, likely compiled for historical or archival purposes. The excerpts focus on art criticism, museum collections, and academic publications, reflecting the cultural and intellectual interests of the time (1947). The inclusion of both a literary review and an art catalog review suggests a broad interest in cultural and academic topics.

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The image presents a page from an old book or newspaper, featuring two articles:

  • The top article, titled "Set Review of Literature," is dated March 1, 1947. It appears to be a review of a book or play, with the author expressing their opinion on the work.
  • The bottom article, titled "Drawings in the Fogg Museum of Art," is also dated March 2, 1947. It discusses the museum's collection of drawings, including works by artists such as Agnes Morgan and Paul J. Sachs.

The page has a yellowed appearance, suggesting that it is an older document. The text is printed in black ink, with some words or phrases underlined or highlighted in red. The background of the page is a light beige color, providing a neutral contrast to the darker text.

Overall, the image provides a glimpse into the past, offering insights into the literary and artistic tastes of the time. The articles suggest that the author was interested in exploring new ideas and perspectives, and was willing to engage with complex and thought-provoking works.

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The image depicts a page from an old book or scrapbook, featuring newspaper clippings and articles. The page is yellowed with age, indicating that it has been preserved for a significant period. The clippings are arranged in a collage style, with some overlapping each other.

The top-left clipping is titled "Sat Review of Literature" and features a review of a book by James Thrall Soby. The review is dated March 1, 1947, and discusses Soby's writing style and the content of his book. The clipping also includes a quote from Soby's book, which highlights his unique approach to art criticism.

The bottom-left clipping is titled "N Y Times" and features an article about the Fogg Museum of Art. The article is dated March 2, 1947, and discusses the museum's collection of drawings and prints. It also mentions the museum's efforts to acquire new works of art and its commitment to preserving and showcasing its existing collection.

The right-hand side of the page features a large clipping from an article by William Germain Dooley, which discusses the importance of art criticism and the role of the critic in shaping public opinion. The article is undated but appears to be from the same time period as the other clippings.

Overall, the image provides a glimpse into the world of art criticism and journalism in the mid-20th century. It highlights the importance of art criticism in shaping public opinion and the role of critics in promoting and preserving art. The image also showcases the style and tone of art criticism during this period, which was often formal and academic.

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The image presents a page from a book or scrapbook, featuring a collection of newspaper clippings and typed text on a yellowed background.

  • The page is open to a section with a green cover, displaying two newspaper clippings:
    • The top clipping is from "Sat Review of Literature" dated March 1, 1947.
      • It contains an article titled "Rebuttal from Dooley" by James Thrall Soby.
      • The article discusses a recent issue of SRL and Soby's opinions on art criticism.
    • The bottom clipping is from the "N Y Times" dated March 2, 1947.
      • It features an article titled "Drawings in the Fogg" discussing the Fogg Museum's collection of drawings.
      • The article highlights the museum's acquisition of a new volume of drawings and its significance.
  • The page also includes a typed letter or article on the right side, which appears to be a response to the "Sat Review of Literature" article.
    • The text is written in a formal tone and discusses the topic of art criticism and the role of museums in promoting art education.
    • The author, William Germain Dooley, is identified as the Head of the Division of Education at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, Mass.
  • The overall layout of the page suggests that it is part of a scrapbook or archive, with the clippings and typed text arranged in a collage-like format.
    • The use of red checkmarks and handwritten notes on the clippings indicates that the compiler of the scrapbook was actively engaging with the content and making connections between different articles and ideas.

In summary, the image presents a page from a scrapbook or archive that showcases a collection of newspaper clippings and typed text related to art criticism and museum education. The content highlights the importance of art criticism and the role of museums in promoting art education, while also revealing the compiler's engagement with the material through handwritten notes and checkmarks.

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The image presents a page from an open book, featuring newspaper clippings and typed text. The page is yellowed with age, indicating that it is likely from an older publication.

  • Newspaper Clippings:
    • Three newspaper clippings are visible on the page.
    • The top-left clipping is from "Sat Review of Literature" dated March 1, 1947.
    • The bottom-left clipping is from the "N Y Times" dated March 2, 1947.
    • The third clipping is partially visible on the right side of the page.
  • Typed Text:
    • A large section of typed text is present on the page, but it appears to be incomplete or partially covered by the clippings.
    • The text is written in a formal tone and discusses art-related topics.
  • Annotations:
    • Red handwritten annotations are scattered throughout the clippings and typed text.
    • The annotations appear to be notes or comments made by someone reading the material.
  • Background:
    • The background of the image is a plain gray color, suggesting that the book is being displayed against a neutral backdrop.

Overall, the image suggests that the book contains a collection of articles, reviews, or essays related to art, and that someone has been reading and annotating the material over time.