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Fogg Art Museum Scrapbooks, May 1947-February 1950

ARCH.2003.30, Rendition: 802694

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This image displays an aged newspaper clipping from the Kansas City Star, dated April 11, 1948. The clipping is mounted on a plain, light-colored background and appears to be from the press clipping bureau of Buckelle’s, established in 1888 and located in New York (with a specific address: 165 Church Street).

The headline of the article reads:
“ART OF FABULOUS VALUE GOES TO HARVARD MUSEUM”

The article, written by Gene Casey from Ambridge, Mass., reports on a major art bequest to Harvard University’s William Hayes Fogg Art Museum by the late Grenville Lindall Winthrop, a New York lawyer and distinguished art collector.

Key points covered in the article:

  • The Value and Scope of the Collection: Winthrop’s collection, valued at $1,600,000 (equivalent to tens of millions in today’s currency), includes over 4,000 items spanning centuries and cultures — from ancient Egyptian and Maya sculpture to 19th-century French paintings, Chinese jade and bronze, and American portraits.

  • Highlighted Masterpieces: Key artworks mentioned include:

    • Charles Wilson Peale’s portrait of George Washington
    • Charles Wilson Peale’s portrait of Benjamin Franklin
    • Rodin’s sculpture “The Kiss”
    • Whistler’s “Self Portrait”
    • Sargent’s “Lady Lister”
    • Canaletto’s “View of St. Mark’s Venice”
    • A “superb ‘Still Life’ by Renoir” — acquired just months before Winthrop’s death.
  • Winthrop’s Background: He graduated from Harvard in 1886, practiced law and banking, and won a gold medal in horticulture. In retirement, he focused entirely on his art collection.

  • Philanthropy and Legacy: The article notes that Winthrop’s bequest nearly doubled the Fogg Museum’s holdings. He also endowed the museum with $100,000 and was known for his meticulous care of his collection, even using scientific techniques like X-rays and infra-red analysis for restoration and study.

  • Anecdote: A humorous aside notes that Winthrop “might have posed for a 17th Century ‘Man of Distinction’ portrait with his white Van Dyck beard and slim, intelligent features.”

The clipping is physically cut into several pieces, likely to fit on the mounting page, and the text is arranged in multiple columns typical of newspaper layouts. The overall tone is one of admiration for Winthrop’s discerning eye and generosity, and the significance of the gift to American art institutions.


Overall, this clipping is a historical document capturing a pivotal moment in American museum history — the monumental bequest of one of the most important private art collections of the 20th century to Harvard University.

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The image showcases a newspaper clipping from a publication titled "Kansas City, Mo. Star." The article is dated April 11, 1948, and is titled "Art of Fabulous Value Goes to Harvard Museum." It discusses the donation of a significant collection of artworks to the William Hayes Fogg Art Museum at Harvard University, valued at $1,900,000. The collection includes notable pieces such as Charles Wilson Peale’s "Portrait of George Washington," Rodin's "The Kiss," and other renowned artworks. The article also highlights the generosity of Grenville Lindall Winthrop, a New York lawyer who bequeathed the collection to the museum. The piece provides insights into the value of the artworks, the donation's impact on the museum's reputation, and details about the donor's personal life and interests. The clipping is dated and marked by the Press Clipping Bureau of Burrelle's, established in 1888, located at 165 Church Street, New York City.

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

This image is a scanned historical newspaper clipping from the "Kansas City Star," dated April 11, 1948. The clipping is about a significant art donation to the William Hayes Fogg Art Museum at Harvard University. The donation, valued at $1,900,000, was made by the late Grenville Winthrop, a New York lawyer.

The article, written by Gene Casey, details the contents of the donation, which includes Charles Wilson Peale's "Portrait of George Washington," Rodin's "The Kiss," and many other valuable artworks and artifacts. It mentions that the collection also contains five reliefs from Persepolis, Egyptian bronzes, Maya and Aztec sculptures, and numerous other items, totaling more than 4,000 pieces.

The article highlights the rarity and value of the art objects, noting that some could not be duplicated for 10 million dollars. It also describes the Winthrop collection as one of the most amazing private collections ever made in the country. The donation has significantly enhanced the museum's collection, nearly doubling it, and has made the Fogg museum the envy of museums across the country.

The clipping is accompanied by a label from "Burrelle's Press Clipping Bureau," indicating that it was likely part of a clipping service used for tracking media coverage. The label includes the bureau's address and phone number, as well as the newspaper's circulation details.

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The image is a composite of two different documents. On the left side, there is a clipping from a newspaper or magazine article titled "Art of Fabulous Value Goes to Harvard Museum." The article is about the donation of valuable artworks to the Harvard University Art Museum. The text mentions specific artworks, including portraits by Charles Wilson Peale, such as "Portrait of George Washington and Robin's 'The Kiss,'" and other notable pieces. It also discusses the historical and monetary value of these artworks, some of which are estimated to be worth over $100,000.

On the right side of the image, there is a clipping from a different document, possibly a press release or advertisement, titled "Suffolk's Press Clipping Bureau." This section provides information about a press clipping service, highlighting its capabilities in providing clippings, photographs, and other materials for various purposes, such as publicity, research, or documentation. The text emphasizes the service's efficiency and the breadth of its offerings.

The two clippings are arranged in a way that suggests they were cut and pasted together, possibly for a scrapbook or a compilation of related materials. The juxtaposition of the two documents might indicate an interest in both the artistic and the practical aspects of media and information management.

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The image features a newspaper clipping with a headline that reads "ART OF FABULOUS VALUE GOES TO HARVARD MUSEUM." The clipping is from the "Buffalo Star" and is dated April 11, 1948. The article discusses the acquisition of an art collection by Harvard University, which includes notable pieces such as Charles Wilson Peale's portrait of George Washington and Rodin's "The Kiss." The collection was donated by the late Greenville Winthrop, a New York lawyer, and is valued at approximately $10 million. The article also mentions that the collection includes works from the Renaissance, ancient Greek and Roman sculptures, and various other valuable pieces. The clipping is attached to a larger document, possibly a scrapbook or a collection of newspaper clippings.

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The image is a scanned page from a newspaper or press clipping, titled "Art of Fabulous Value Goes to Harvard Museum". It is from the Press Clipping Bureau, located at 65 Church Street, New York, and is dated April 11, 1948. The article is published under the Kansas City Star, with the circulation details provided as Circ. D. 247,601 - S. 244,152.

Headline and Subheading

  • The main headline reads: "Art of Fabulous Value Goes to Harvard Museum".
  • A subheading states: "Charles Wilson Peale's Portrait of George Washington and Rodin's 'The Kiss' Are Included in Bequest by the Late Grenville Winthrop, New York Lawyer."

Content Overview

The article discusses a significant art bequest to the Harvard University Art Museum by Grenville Winthrop, a New York lawyer who passed away just a few months before his death. The bequest includes a collection of rare and valuable artworks, many of which are described as being worth millions of dollars.

Key Points from the Article:

  1. Bequest Details:

    • The bequest includes 800,000 items of paintings and sculpture, valued at $1.5 million.
    • The collection is described as one of the rarest and most valuable private art collections in the country.
  2. Notable Works:

    • Charles Wilson Peale's Portrait of George Washington: Described as a "fifth of a million dollars" at auction.
    • Rodin's "The Kiss": Valued at $10 million.
    • Other significant pieces include:
      • Dürer’s "Portrait of Benjamin".
      • Raphael’s "Napoleon as First Consul".
      • Watteau’s "Syr Damozel".
      • Rossetti’s "Pandora" and "Lady Lister".
      • Five Rodins from Persepolis.
      • Five reliefs from the Great Palace of Persepolis.
      • Egyptian bronzes, Maya and Aztec sculptures.
      • Chinese jade, bronzes, and trace metalwork from the dawn of history.
      • Portraits by Washington and Adams.
      • Prints, drawings, furniture, and ceramics.
      • Forty Ingres master watercolors by Mr. Winthrop.
      • Masterpieces by Albert Pinkney, John Singer Sargent, and others.
  3. Winthrop’s Background:

    • Winthrop was a Harvard alumnus, having graduated in 1886.
    • He was a patron of the arts and had a long-standing relationship with Harvard, including graduated days and banking work in New York City.
    • He was known for his art collecting, particularly his passion for 19th-century art, and his collection was considered one of the most impressive of its time.
  4. Harvard’s Response:

    • The article mentions that Harvard was famous for its art education and art treasures, making it a fitting recipient for such a valuable collection.
    • The bequest was made before Winthrop’s death, and the collection was transferred to the museum after his passing.
  5. Additional Context:

    • The article references Fog Museum, noting that Winthrop had a reputation for supplying treasures to the museum and was known for his artistic discernment.
    • It also highlights Winthrop’s international reputation as a collector, with his collection being considered one of the most historical and special of the 19th century.

Visual Elements

  • The top of the page features a logo for "Buffelle’s", established in 1822, located in Barclay 7-5371.
  • The article is formatted in a classic newspaper style, with a clear headline, subheading, and detailed body text.
  • There is a small illustration or photograph on the right side of the page, though it is not clearly visible in the image provided. It appears to depict a portrait or artwork, likely related to the article’s subject matter.

Conclusion

The article highlights a major art bequest to Harvard University by Grenville Winthrop, showcasing a collection of rare and valuable artworks, including iconic pieces by renowned artists. The bequest underscores Winthrop’s legacy as a dedicated art collector and patron, and the article emphasizes the historical and cultural significance of the donation to the Harvard Museum.

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The image shows a newspaper clipping from the Kansas City Star, dated April 11, 1948, with the headline "Art of Fabulous Value Goes to Harvard Museum." The article discusses Charles Wilson Peale's portrait of George Washington and Rodin's "The Kiss" being included in a bequest by the late Grenville Winthrop, New York Lawyer. The article also mentions other notable pieces in the collection, such as a portrait of George Washington, a painting of St. Mark's Venice, and a collection of bronzes, mays, and aztec sculptures. The article highlights the significance of the collection and its value to the Harvard Museum.

  • Newspaper Clipping
    • The clipping is from the Kansas City Star, dated April 11, 1948.
    • The headline reads "Art of Fabulous Value Goes to Harvard Museum."
  • Article Content
    • The article discusses Charles Wilson Peale's portrait of George Washington and Rodin's "The Kiss" being included in a bequest by the late Grenville Winthrop, New York Lawyer.
    • The article mentions other notable pieces in the collection, such as a portrait of George Washington, a painting of St. Mark's Venice, and a collection of bronzes, mays, and aztec sculptures.
    • The article highlights the significance of the collection and its value to the Harvard Museum.
  • Additional Information
    • The clipping is placed on a gray background.
    • The clipping is likely from a newspaper archive or a collection of historical documents.

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

This image features a newspaper clipping from the Kansas City Star, dated April 11, 1948, with the headline "ART OF FABULOUS VALUE GOES TO HARVARD MUSEUM." The article discusses Charles Wilson Peale's portrait of George Washington and Rodin's "The Kiss," which are included in a bequest by the late Grenville Winthrop, a New York lawyer. The clipping is placed on a gray background, providing a clear and concise visual representation of the news article.

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

The image shows a newspaper clipping from the Kansas City Star, dated April 11, 1948.

The clipping is torn and features an article titled "Art of Fabulous Value Goes to Harvard Museum" about the bequest of Charles Wilson Peale's portraits to the Harvard Museum by Grenville Lindall Winthrop. The article discusses Winthrop's collection, which includes works by artists such as Sargent and Duplessis, and highlights the significance of the bequest to the museum.

Key Details:

  • Newspaper: Kansas City Star
  • Date: April 11, 1948
  • Article Title: "Art of Fabulous Value Goes to Harvard Museum"
  • Subject: Bequest of Charles Wilson Peale's portraits to Harvard Museum by Grenville Lindall Winthrop
  • Content: Discussion of Winthrop's collection and its significance to the Harvard Museum

Visual Description:

  • The clipping is torn and appears to be aged, with a yellowish tint.
  • The text is in black ink and is written in a formal style.
  • The article is divided into paragraphs, with headings and subheadings used to break up the content.
  • The clipping is set against a plain gray background, which helps to highlight the details of the article.

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

The image presents a vintage newspaper clipping, yellowed with age, featuring an article about the Fogg Museum at Harvard University. The clipping is divided into two sections: the top section displays a business card for "Bufkelle's Press Clipping Bureau" in Kansas City, Missouri, while the bottom section contains the main article.

Business Card:

  • Name: Bufkelle's
  • Established: 1888
  • Phone Number: Barclay 7-5371
  • Address: 165 Church Street - New York
  • Location: Kansas City, MO.
  • Star: Circ. D. 347,601 - S. 344,152
  • Date: Apr 11 1948

Newspaper Clipping:

  • Title: "Art of Fabulous Value Goes to Harvard Museum"
  • Content: The article discusses the acquisition of Charles Wilson Peale's Portrait of George Washington and Rodin's "The Kiss" by the Fogg Museum at Harvard University.
  • Author: By Greg Casey
  • Details: The article provides information about the artworks, including their history, value, and significance.

The clipping appears to be from April 11, 1948, and features a unique layout with a business card on top and the article below. The background of the image is a light gray color, which helps to highlight the details of the clipping. Overall, the image provides a fascinating glimpse into the art world of the mid-20th century.