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Fogg Art Museum Scrapbooks, May 1947-February 1950

ARCH.2003.30, Rendition: 802693

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This is a vintage press clipping from the Tallahassee, Fla. News-Democrat, dated April 18, 1943. It was distributed by the Buttelle’s Press Clipping Bureau, located in New York, and bears the identifier “Cir. 5, 7,130”.

The article, titled “Harvard Official Sees Steady Progress in Ringling Museum”, reports on comments made by Edward W. Forbes, curator of the Fogg Museum of Art at Harvard University, regarding the restoration and development work underway at the Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota, Florida.

Key points from the article:

  • Forbes’ Visit & Praise: Forbes, who has visited the museum and observed the restoration work led by Director Everett Austin, calls the progress “conspicuous” and “most stimulating.”
  • Restoration Process: He explains that restoring 18th and 19th-century paintings requires highly skilled labor and extensive time (potentially several years for some works). The process involves careful cleaning, removal of repainting, and revarnishing to return them to their original state.
  • Praise for Austin: Forbes describes Austin as a “master of arrangement” who meticulously reorganizes and refurbishes the galleries to “give them their proper dignity.”
  • Defense of John Ringling’s Acquisitions: A significant portion of the article addresses criticism that John Ringling did not pay adequate prices for his vast art collection. Forbes counters this, stating that Ringling was a knowledgeable and discerning collector who bought quality works from the 17th and 18th centuries at very reasonable prices, particularly when the artistic output of those eras was less fashionable (in the early 20th century) and thus available at lower costs. He cites Ringling’s informed interest in art and his conversations with scholars like Rembrandt experts as evidence of his acumen.

The clipping itself is on yellowed, aged paper and features a small green header from the clipping bureau at the top. The overall tone is one of endorsement and defense of the museum’s mission and its founder’s legacy, presented through the authority of a leading academic art curator.

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The image shows a clipping from a newspaper, dated April 18, 1948, from the Tallahassee News-Democrat. The newspaper article is titled "Harvard Official Sees Steady Progress in Ringling Museum." It discusses the progress and development of the Ringling Museum at Sarasota, Florida, under the direction of Everett Austin. The article highlights the comments of Edward W. Forbes, curator of the Fogg Museum of Art at Harvard University, who praised the steady progress being made in the museum.

The clipping is mounted on a piece of paper with a logo and contact information for "Burkelle's Press Clipping Bureau" from Tallahassee, Florida. The bureau's address and phone number are printed at the top of the paper. The overall tone of the article is positive, emphasizing the careful and methodical approach taken in the restoration and arrangement of the museum's art collection. The article also mentions that Forbes appreciates the care given to the paintings and the knowledgeable arrangement by Everett Austin.

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This image shows a scanned newspaper article from the "Tallahassee, FLA. NEWS-DEMOCRAT" dated April 18, 1948. The article is titled "Harvard Official Sees Steady Progress in Ringling Museum." It discusses the development and progress of the Ringling Museum in Sarasota, Florida, under the direction of Director Everett Austin. The article features comments from Edward W. Forbes, the curator of the Fogg Museum of Art at Harvard University, who praises the progress and the restoration work being done at the Ringling Museum. Forbes highlights the quality and beauty of the paintings, the meticulous restoration efforts, and the proper arrangement of the galleries. The article also mentions John Ringling, the circus magnate who willed the museum to the people of Florida, and his keen interest in art. At the top of the image, there is a label from "Burrelle's," a press clipping bureau established in 1888, with the address and contact information.

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The image shows a clipping from the Tallahassee Democrat newspaper from April 18, 1943, with the headline "Harvard Official Sees Steady Progress in Ringling Museum." The clipping discusses the progress of the restoration work being done on the paintings in the Ringling Museum of Art at Harvard University, which was donated by John Ringling. The article mentions that Edward W. Forbes, the curator of the Fogg Museum of Art, frequently visits the Sarasota museum and has overseen the restoration work.

The article notes that the restoration work is being done by highly trained art restorers and will take several years to complete. Forbes describes the restoration work as "proper dignity" and mentions that many of the paintings have been repainted and cleaned with aid and space around them. The article also discusses the interest that John Ringling took in Rembrandt's work and how he collected Rembrandt's paintings at low prices.

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The image shows a newspaper clipping with the title "Harvard Official Sees Steady Progress in Ringling Museum" at the top. It is dated April 18, 1943. The clipping is attached to a piece of paper with the words "Burrelle's Press Clipping Bureau" and the address "165 Church Street, New York" written on it. The clipping discusses the Ringling Museum of Art at Harvard University and its progress in developing the Ringling Museum at Sarasota, Florida. The article mentions the curator of the Ringling Museum, Everett Austin, and his efforts to restore and preserve the paintings in the museum. The article also highlights the significance of the Ringling Museum as a source of artistic output and fashion history.

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The image shows a newspaper clipping from the Tallahassee News Democrat, dated April 18, 1943. The clipping is titled "Harvard Official Sees Steady Progress in Ringling Museum" and is sourced from the Press Clipping Bureau located at 165 Church Street, New York. The article discusses the development of the Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota, Florida, under the curation of Edward W. Forbes, the curator of the Fogg Art Museum at Harvard University.

Key Details from the Article:

  1. Progress in Development:

    • Edward W. Forbes describes the progress in developing the Ringling Museum as "steady" and "conscientious."
    • The museum is aimed at introducing the public to the "artistic output" of the circus magnate, Charles Ringling, and his collection.
  2. Restoration Efforts:

    • The article highlights the extensive restoration work being undertaken at the museum.
    • Forbes emphasizes that the restoration is a major operation involving highly trained men, akin to the work of human surgeons.
    • The process is described as slow and painstaking, requiring years of effort and significant financial investment.
  3. Historical and Artistic Significance:

    • The museum houses a collection of paintings from the 18th and early 19th centuries, many of which were once considered out of fashion but are now recognized for their beauty and quality.
    • Forbes notes that the collection includes works by notable artists of the time, such as Rembrandt, and mentions that some pieces were acquired during the height of their popularity.
  4. Role of John Ringling:

    • John Ringling, the founder of the museum, is praised for his discerning eye in acquiring artworks.
    • The article notes that Ringling was able to purchase many pieces at reasonable prices during a period when they were less valued.
  5. Personal Anecdote:

    • The article includes a personal account from Tok Keen Inter, who recalls visiting the Ringling Museum and spending hours studying the artworks.
    • Inter specifically mentions being shown a collection of Rembrandt etchings by Forbes, highlighting the museum's commitment to showcasing high-quality art.

Visual Elements:

  • The clipping is presented on aged, yellowed paper, indicating its historical nature.
  • The header includes the logo and establishment date ("ESTABLISHED 1888") of Bureau's Press Clipping Bureau.
  • The article is neatly typed, with clear headings and subheadings, and includes a byline attributing the source to the Tallahassee News Democrat, Circulation S. 7,130.

Overall, the image captures a historical perspective on the development and significance of the Ringling Museum of Art during World War II, emphasizing its role in preserving and showcasing important artworks.

OpenAI, gpt-4

This image shows a newspaper clipping. At the top is a green header with white text reading "Burrelle's Press Clipping Bureau 165 Church Street - New York" followed by a phone number and further details. There is a stamp reading "TALLAHASSEE, FLA. NEWS-DEMOCRAT" with the date "APR 18 1948."

The clipping's title reads "Harvard Official Sees Steady Progress in Ringling Museum" and the article discusses Edward W. Forbes, the curator of the Fogg Museum at Harvard University, who comments on the development and restoration work at the Ringling Museum in Sarasota, Florida. The article mentions aspects like the importance of professionally conducted restoration work and the dedication to preserving the integrity of the artworks. Forbes praises the work of Everett Austin, and the text also touches on the acumen of John Ringling, the art collector and circus magnate who founded the museum, in acquiring the artworks at reasonable prices. It also describes John Ringling's passion for art, his interest in the great artists, and his attention to the paintings he collected from different eras, primarily the 17th and 18th centuries. The text presents a positive view of Ringling's investments and contributions to the arts.

OpenAI, gpt-4o-2024-11-20

This image shows a vintage newspaper clipping from the "Tallahassee, Fla. News-Democrat," dated April 18, 1948, as indicated by the date stamp. The press clipping is from "Burrelle's Press Clipping Bureau," based on the header.

The article is titled "Harvard Official Sees Steady Progress in Ringling Museum" and discusses the opinions of Edward W. Forbes, a Harvard University official and curator of the Fogg Museum of Art. Forbes compliments the progress at the Ringling Museum in Sarasota, Florida, which was established by the circus magnate John Ringling.

Key points of the article:

  1. Praise for Everett Austin's Work: Forbes acknowledges Everett Austin for rearranging and restoring paintings in the museum. The effort preserves the artworks and gives them "proper dignity."

  2. Restoration Process: Forbes highlights the tedious and specialized process required to restore about 500 paintings, a procedure requiring significant time and effort.

  3. John Ringling's Art Acumen: Forbes defends John Ringling's decision-making in acquiring artworks, stressing his keen interest in 17th and 18th-century art and careful financial choices.

  4. Artistic Legacy: He recalls Ringling's appreciation for masters like Rembrandt and emphasizes that Ringling did not overpay for art but made strategic acquisitions.

The clipping suggests the article's purpose was to highlight the value of the Ringling Museum collection and lauds the efforts in curating and restoring its exhibits.

OpenAI, gpt-5-nano-2025-08-07

A collage of old newspaper clippings mounted on a gray background.

  • At the top left is a light green clipping from Burrell’s Press Clipping Bureau (New York) with its logo and address, dated Apr 18, 1948.
  • Below it is a long beige clipping with the headline “Harvard Official Sees Steady Progress in Ringling Museum,” followed by a column of text about Edward W. Forbes, curator of the Fogg Museum of Art at Harvard University, and the development of the Ringling Museum in Sarasota, Florida.
  • A small rectangular clipping to the right shows a continuation of the article.
    The pieces look torn from old newspapers and arranged like a scrapbook page.

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

The image is a newspaper clipping from Burrelle's Press Clipping Bureau located at 165 Church Street, New York, dated April 18, 1948. The clipping is from the Tallahassee, Fla. News-Democrat.

The headline of the article reads: "Harvard Official Sees Steady Progress in Ringling Museum."

The article discusses Edward W. Forbes, curator of the Fogg Museum of Art at Harvard University. Forbes comments on the steady progress in developing the Ringling Museum at Sarasota, which was established by the circus magnate John Ringling for the people of Florida. Forbes frequently visits the Sarasota museum and has witnessed reorganization and restoration work undertaken by Director Everett Austin.

Forbes praises the restoration work, describing it as stimulating and noting that many paintings have been repainted and properly arranged to give them their proper dignity. The article explains that restoration is a meticulous process requiring highly trained experts and that it will take several years to complete the cleaning of about 500 paintings at the museum.

Forbes defends John Ringling, saying he did not waste money on acquiring pictures. Contrary to popular belief, Ringling took a keen interest in art, studied artists extensively, and made intelligent purchases, focusing particularly on 17th and 18th-century European art. Many of the paintings were bought at reasonable prices after the period of decline in popularity of such art in the early 20th century.

The article portrays Ringling as knowledgeable and appreciative of fine art, and Forbes concludes that Ringling managed to buy many fine-quality pictures at reasonable prices.