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Fogg Art Museum Scrapbooks, January 1950-April 1951

ARCH.2003.31, Rendition: 804193

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The image is a newspaper clipping from the Boston News dated June 9, 1950. The headline reads "Dr. Thomas Whittemore Dead; Professor at Harvard Was 79." The article reports the death of Dr. Thomas Whittemore, a professor emeritus of Byzantine art and archaeology at Harvard University. He passed away at the age of 79 in his home at 352 Marlboro Street, Boston.

Key points from the article include:

  • Dr. Whittemore was a prominent figure in the field of Byzantine art and archaeology.
  • He was a member of the Harvard faculty for many years and was known for his extensive travels and research in the Middle East and Europe.
  • He was involved in significant archaeological projects, including the restoration of the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.
  • Dr. Whittemore was also known for his work in promoting cultural understanding and preserving historical sites.
  • He had a diverse academic background, having studied at Tufts College, Harvard, and Oxford University.
  • He was a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and a member of various academic societies.
  • The article mentions his contributions to the field and his impact on the academic community.

The clipping includes a photograph of Dr. Whittemore, showing him in a suit and hat, and provides a brief overview of his life and achievements.

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The image is a newspaper clipping from the Boston News Clip dated June 9, 1950, reporting on the death of Dr. Thomas Whittemore. Here are the detailed observations:

  1. Headline: The headline reads "Dr. Thomas Whittemore Dead; Professor at Harvard Was 79."

  2. Subheading: The subheading mentions that Whittemore was an "Uncovered Istanbul's Old Mosques."

  3. Content:

    • The article begins with the death announcement of Thomas Whittemore, who was a professor at Harvard University.
    • He was noted for his work in uncovering ancient mosques in Istanbul, Turkey.
    • Whittemore, who was 79 years old, died on June 2, 1950, in Washington, D.C.
    • The article notes that Whittemore had worked with officials in the State Department and the U.S. Information Agency.
    • He was also a collaborator with the British Museum and had spent several years in Turkey.
    • Whittemore's work included uncovering the secrets of ancient mosques, including the Great Mosque of Istanbul, also known as the Blue Mosque, built in 624 AD by Emperor Justinian.
    • The article highlights his significant contributions to the field of archaeology and his extensive travels, including his work in the Middle East.
  4. Biographical Information:

    • Born in London, Whittemore received his education at Tufts College, graduating from which he moved on to specialize in Byzantine art.
    • He married Elizabeth St. Clair in 1894.
    • Whittemore served in World War I, working in the Russian Embassy in London.
    • He was a member of several notable institutions, including the American Council of Learned Societies, the American Archaeological Institute, and the British Museum.
  5. Photo: There is a sepia-toned photograph of Professor Thomas Whittemore included in the article.

  6. Source and Location: The clipping is from the Herald Tribune, New York, NY, and is printed from the Boston News Clip.

This detailed summary captures the essence and context of the news story about Dr. Thomas Whittemore's death and his contributions to archaeology and cultural heritage.

Mistral, mistral.magistral-small-2509

The image shows a newspaper clipping from the Herald Tribune, dated June 9, 1950. The headline reads "Dr. Thomas Whittemore Dead; Professor at Harvard Was 79." The article reports that Dr. Thomas Whittemore, an archaeologist and professor at Harvard, died suddenly at his home in Washington. Whittemore was known for his work in uncovering ancient mosaics in Istanbul, particularly the 1,500-year-old mosaics at the Church of the Holy Apostles, which he discovered in 1932. The article details his contributions to Byzantine art, his role as a lecturer at Harvard, and his previous work as a war correspondent during World War I. It also mentions his birth in Boston, his education at Tufts College and Oxford, and his residence at 199 Washington Street in Boston.

Mistral, mistral.mistral-large-3-675b-instruct

The image is a newspaper clipping from the Boston News Clip dated June 9, 1950. The headline reads "Dr. Thomas Whittemore Dead; Professor at Harvard Was 79." The article provides an obituary for Thomas Whittemore, detailing his life and accomplishments.

Key points from the article:

  1. Death Announcement:

    • Thomas Whittemore, an internationally known archaeologist, died unexpectedly at age 79 in the Byzantine Institute in Washington, D.C.
    • He was found unconscious in his hotel room and was pronounced dead at Garfield Hospital.
  2. Background and Career:

    • Whittemore was a professor at Harvard University for 22 years.
    • He was known for his work in uncovering ancient mosaics in Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, which had been hidden under whitewash for centuries.
    • Whittemore was the founder and director of the Byzantine Institute of America.
  3. Education and Early Career:

    • Whittemore graduated from Tufts College in 1894 and later studied at Harvard and Oxford.
    • He was a professor of English at Tufts College and later became a lecturer in art at both Wellesley College and New York University.
  4. Humanitarian Work:

    • During World War I, he worked with Russian refugees in Egypt and later helped with famine relief in Russia.
    • After World War I, he was involved in the repatriation of prisoners of war.
  5. Archaeological Contributions:

    • Whittemore’s work focused on the preservation of Byzantine art and artifacts.
    • He was instrumental in the uncovering and restoration of mosaics in Hagia Sophia, which had been covered since the Ottoman conquest.
  6. Personal Travels and Interests:

    • Whittemore traveled extensively, including trips to Russia, Egypt, and various parts of Europe.
    • He was a member of several prestigious societies, such as the Society of Antiquaries in London and the Royal Geographical Society.

The article also includes a photograph of Thomas Whittemore.

Mistral, mistral.ministral-3-14b-instruct

The image is a newspaper clipping from the Boston News Clip dated June 9, 1950. The headline reads "Dr. Thomas Whittemore Dead; Professor at Harvard Was 79." The article, sourced from the Herald Tribune in New York, reports the death of Dr. Thomas Whittemore, who was a prominent archaeologist and professor at Harvard.

Key points of the article include:

  1. Background and Discovery: Whittemore was known for uncovering the oldest Turkish manuscript, the "Book of Genesis," which was 1,200 years old and written in the Armenian language. This manuscript was discovered in the Byzantine Institute in Istanbul, Turkey.

  2. Personal Life and Travel: Whittemore had traveled to Istanbul to meet with officials of African and Near Eastern Affairs. He was reportedly in good health before his unexpected death, which was due to a heart attack.

  3. Archaeological Achievements: Whittemore was responsible for uncovering the oldest Turkish manuscript, which was written on vellum. His work included uncovering the oldest known copy of the Gospel of Matthew, dating back to 586 AD, and a manuscript of the Gospel of Luke from 588 AD.

  4. Historical Contributions: Whittemore's work during World War I involved the rescue of priceless manuscripts from Istanbul, which were later deposited in the Library of Congress. He also contributed to the discovery of the oldest known copy of the Armenian Bible and other significant ancient texts.

  5. Early Life and Education: Born in London, Whittemore was educated at Tufts College and specialized in Byzantine art. He became known for his contributions to Byzantine studies and was a member of several prestigious organizations, including the American School of Classical Studies at Athens and the American Geographical Society.

  6. Later Life: Whittemore had been the keeper of the Byzantine manuscripts at the Harvard College Library and was a member of the Harvard University Museum.

The article also includes a photograph of Professor Whittemore. The clipping is from 199 Tremont Street, Boston, Mass.

Mistral, mistral.ministral-3-8b-instruct

The image is a newspaper clipping from the Herald Tribune, dated June 9, 1950. The headline reads "Dr. Thomas Whittemore Dead; Professor at Harvard Was 79." The article discusses the death of Dr. Thomas Whittemore, a prominent professor at Harvard University, who was 79 years old at the time of his passing.

Key points from the article include:

  1. Uncovered Istanbul Mosaics: Dr. Whittemore was known for his work in uncovering ancient mosaics in Istanbul, Turkey, including the discovery of the Great Palace Mosaics which date back to the 5th century. These mosaics, located at the Istanbul Archaeological Museum, depict scenes from the life of Emperor Justinian and his wife Theodora.

  2. Educational Background: Whittemore was born in Boston and received his education at Tufts College and the University of Oxford. He specialized in Byzantine art and later became a professor at Harvard.

  3. Career and Achievements: He was a great scholar and diplomat, working extensively in Russia during the Bolshevik Revolution. Whittemore played a significant role in the preservation and study of Byzantine art and artifacts, particularly in Russia and Istanbul.

  4. Personal Life: Whittemore was married to Mary Elizabeth St. Clair Whittemore. The couple had two children, Mary and Thomas Jr.

  5. Publications and Contributions: Whittemore was the author of several books, including "The Byzantine Church of St. George at Istanbul," and was a recipient of numerous awards and honors for his contributions to the field of art history.

The clipping includes a photograph of Dr. Whittemore and a small inset picture of one of the mosaics he helped uncover. The article is a tribute to his extensive work and contributions to the field of art and archaeology.

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This image is a photograph of a newspaper clipping. The headline indicates that it's from the "Boston News Clip", with the address of 120 Tremont Street, Boston 8, Mass., citing the "Herald Tribune New York, N.Y." The date stamped on the paper is "Jun 9 1950."

The article is an obituary for Dr. Thomas Whittemore, who is described as a professor at Harvard University and someone who was renowned for uncovering Istanbul's old mosaics in 1932, as well as heading its Byzantine Institute. The obituary details Dr. Whittemore's achievements, his work in the Byzantine Institute of America, and his notable contributions to archaeology, such as uncovering hidden frescoes in two Coptic monasteries near the Red Sea in Egypt. It also mentions his educational background and affiliations with various learned societies and clubs.

Additional information about Dr. Whittemore's life, travels, and scholarly work is included in the text, offering a rich narrative of his contributions to his field and his global engagements, particularly his role during the First World War and his support for Russian refugees.

Amazon, amazon.nova-lite-v1:0

The image shows a newspaper clipping from the Boston Herald Tribune, dated June 9, 1950. The clipping is about the death of Dr. Thomas Whittemore, a professor at Harvard University who was 79 years old. The clipping includes a photograph of Dr. Whittemore wearing a hat and a tie. The article mentions that Dr. Whittemore had stopped to chat with officials in the office of the American Embassy in Istanbul, Turkey, and professor at Harvard University, where he seemed in excellent health and talked about plans to return to the United States. He was later found dead in the office of John Foster Dulles, but a doctor arrived within minutes and pronounced him dead when he failed to find any pulse. The article also mentions that Dr. Whittemore was known principally for his work on mosaics, which he had uncovered in Istanbul, principally in the Mosque of St. Sophia at Istanbul, which today measures 650 by 340 feet and is 180 feet high. The article also mentions that Dr. Whittemore had uncovered many colored marbles and gold, and so pieced together as to cover a solid surface even as to thin domes and archways. These national monuments are now one of the most wonderful sights in the Eastern World.

Amazon, us.amazon.nova-2-lite-v1:0

The image shows a black-and-white photograph of a newspaper clipping from the Boston News Clip, dated June 9, 1950, from the Herald Tribune in New York, N.Y. The headline reads:

"Dr. Thomas Whittemore Dead; Professor at Harvard Was 79"

Key Details from the Image:

  1. Headline and Subheading:

    • The main headline announces the death of Dr. Thomas Whittemore, a professor at Harvard, at the age of 79.
    • A subheading states: "Uncovered Istanbul's Old Mosques in Byzantine Era."
  2. Photograph:

    • To the right of the text, there is a black-and-white photograph of Dr. Thomas Whittemore. He is wearing a suit and tie, with a serious expression. The photo is labeled at the bottom right corner as "Thomas Whittemore".
  3. Article Content:

    • The article provides details about Dr. Whittemore’s life, career, and contributions:
      • He was a professor at Harvard University, specializing in art history and Byzantine studies.
      • He was known for his work in uncovering and documenting Byzantine-era mosaics in Istanbul, Turkey.
      • He had a long career, including roles as a lecturer, consultant, and expert in art and archaeology.
      • He was born in 1871 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and had a distinguished academic and professional background, including work with the American Academy in Rome and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
      • The article mentions his marriage, children, and various affiliations, such as the American Institute of Architects and the Byzantine Institute of America.
      • It also notes his passing and provides details about his funeral arrangements.
  4. Visual Layout:

    • The clipping is presented in a standard newspaper format, with the headline at the top, followed by a subheading and a brief summary of the story.
    • The photograph is placed to the right, aligned with the text, and is labeled with the subject’s name.
  5. Additional Text:

    • At the very top of the clipping, there is a header indicating the source: "BOSTON NEWS CLIP" and "150 Tremont Street, Boston, Mass."
    • The date and newspaper name are also clearly visible at the top: "Herald Tribune, New York, N.Y., JUN 9 1950."

Overall Impression:

The image captures a historical news article commemorating the life and achievements of Dr. Thomas Whittemore, highlighting his significant contributions to the fields of art history and archaeology, particularly his work in uncovering Byzantine mosaics in Istanbul. The photograph and accompanying text provide a glimpse into his professional legacy and personal background.

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The image shows a newspaper clipping, which is a portion of a newspaper page that has been cut out. The clipping is from the Boston News Clip, Herald Tribune, New York, N.Y., dated June 9, 1950. The clipping features an article about Dr. Thomas Whittemore, who was a professor at Harvard University and passed away at the age of 79. The article also includes a photograph of Dr. Whittemore wearing a hat and a tie. The clipping has been folded in half, and the edges are slightly torn.