Archives Scrapbooks

The image is a page from the "Worcester Art Museum News Bulletin and Calendar" dated March 1951, Volume XVI, Number 6. The page focuses on an exhibition titled "Condition: Excellent."

The text explains that the exhibition aims to highlight paintings that have maintained excellent condition despite the challenges of aging, damage, and deterioration. It notes that old paintings are often made from impermanent materials and have faced various environmental hazards, handling, and treatment over time. The exhibition showcases paintings that have survived with minimal injury or decay, emphasizing that perfect condition is short-lived after a painting is completed.

Two paintings are featured on the page:

1. "Toilet of Venus" by François Boucher (French, 1703-1770):

   • Oil on canvas, 48 x 38 inches.
   • Lent by The Metropolitan Museum of Art (bequest of William K. Vanderbilt).
   • The painting is described as being in excellent condition, having avoided issues like fading, discoloration, surface cracking, and accumulated grime.

2. "Still Life" by Pieter Claesz (Dutch, c. 1597-1661):

   • Oil on panel, 19 1/16 x 30 3/8 inches.
   • Lent by The Art Institute of Chicago.
   • Also noted to be in excellent condition.

The page concludes with information about the Worcester Art Museum, including its address, admission details, hours of operation, and contact information. The museum is located at 55 Salisbury Street, Worcester, Massachusetts. Admission is free at all times, with varying hours depending on the day and season. The museum also has a library with specific hours and contact details for further information.

The image shows a document titled "WORCESTER ART MUSEUM NEWS BULLETIN AND CALENDAR" from March 1951, Volume XVI, No. 6. The condition of the items described is noted as "EXCELLENT."

The main content of the document discusses a special exhibition of paintings, emphasizing the technical aspects and the challenges of preserving old paintings due to factors like changes in the air, insects, microorganisms, and handling. Despite these challenges, many paintings have survived with minimal damage.

Two specific artworks are highlighted:

1. "TOILET OF VENUS" by François Boucher (French, 1703-1770). The medium is oil on canvas, measuring 42 3/4 x 33 3/4 inches. It is on loan from The Metropolitan Museum of Art for the exhibition, and its condition is described as excellent.

2. "STILL LIFE" by Pieter Claesz (Dutch, c. 1597-1661). The medium is oil on panel, measuring 19 1/16 x 30 1/2 inches. It is on loan from The Art Institute of Chicago for the exhibition, and its condition is also described as excellent.

The document also provides practical information about the Worcester Art Museum, including its address at 55 Salisbury Street, Worcester 2, Massachusetts, and details about admission and opening hours. Admission is free at all times, with varying hours for different seasons. The museum library has specific hours, and the document provides contact information, including a telephone number for the museum office and school.

The document concludes on page 26.

The image is a page from the Worcester Art Museum's News Bulletin and Calendar for March 1951, specifically Volume XVI, Number 6. The page focuses on a special exhibition featuring old paintings and their condition.

The text discusses the exhibition's aim to showcase the technical aspects and preservation challenges of old paintings. It highlights that despite the challenges, many paintings have survived with minimal damage due to the inherent properties of their materials. The exhibition includes works by well-known artists such as Pieter Claesz and François Boucher.

Two paintings are highlighted:

1. Toilet of Venus by François Boucher (French, 1703-1770), dated 1751, oil on canvas, measuring 42 3/4 x 33 1/2 inches, lent by The Metropolitan Museum of Art. It shows some signs of aging such as slight loss of tone, surface discoloration, and accumulated grime, but is in excellent condition.
2. Still Life by Pieter Claesz (Dutch, c. 1597-1661), oil on panel, 19 1/16 x 30 1/4 inches, lent by The Art Institute of Chicago. This painting also has minor blemishes but is in excellent condition.

The bottom of the page provides the museum's address (55 Salisbury Street, Worcester, Massachusetts) and hours of operation:

• Free admission daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Open on Tuesdays until 10 p.m. from November through April.
• Closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and the Fourth of July.
• The museum library hours are daily from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 2 to 5 p.m., closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.
• Contact information includes the museum offices and school, with a dial-in number provided: 2-4678.

The page includes images of the two paintings, illustrating their condition and subject matter.

The image is a page from the Worcester Art Museum's News Bulletin and Calendar, Volume XVI, dated March 1951, Issue No. 6. The page is titled "Condition: Excellent" and discusses a special exhibition.

Content Summary:

1. Introduction and Aim of the Exhibition:

   • The exhibition aims to show the effects of various factors on the condition of old paintings.
   • It highlights that old paintings have been exposed to numerous causes of damage and deterioration due to their impermanent materials and organic origins.
   • Despite these challenges, many paintings have survived with minimal decay.

2. Condition of Paintings:

   • No combination of materials can withstand all environmental changes, handling, and treatment without some degree of loss.
   • Perfect condition in a painting is transient, lasting only shortly after completion.
   • Common issues include fading, discoloration, surface grime, and cracking.

3. Highlighted Paintings:

   • Toilet of Venus (dated 1751) by François Boucher (French, 1703-1770): An oil on canvas piece, measuring 42 3/4 x 33 3/8 inches, lent by The Metropolitan Museum of Art. The condition is described as excellent, despite some minor surface issues.
   • Still Life by Pieter Claesz (Dutch, c. 1597-1661): An oil on panel piece, measuring 19 1/16 x 30 3/8 inches, lent by The Art Institute of Chicago. The condition is also described as excellent.

4. Exhibition Details:

   • The exhibition includes a relatively small number of paintings, totaling thirty.

5. Museum Information:

   • Location: Worcester Art Museum, 55 Salisbury Street, Worcester 2, Massachusetts.
   • Admission: Free at all times.
   • Hours:
     • Daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
     • Sundays from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
     • Closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and Fourth of July.
     • Closed Tuesdays from November through April.
     • Museum Library: Open daily from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., except Saturday afternoons, Sundays, and Holidays.
   • Contact: Telephone for Museum offices and School of the Worcester Art Museum: Dial 2-4678.

The page provides a detailed look at the state of preservation of selected artworks and offers practical information for visitors to the museum.

The image is a page from the Worcester Art Museum News Bulletin and Calendar, Volume XVI, March 1951, Issue No. 6. The focus of this bulletin is a special exhibition featuring old paintings that have survived in excellent condition despite the natural deterioration that typically affects such artworks.

Key points from the bulletin include:

1. Exhibition Purpose:

   • The exhibition aims to show the resilience of certain paintings that have endured with negligible injury or decay despite being made from materials that are inherently susceptible to damage.

2. Condition of Paintings:

   • The text highlights that old paintings are generally vulnerable to various factors such as changes in the air, insects, microorganisms, and handling. However, some paintings have survived with only minor issues like fading, surface discoloration, or cracking.

3. Paintings Featured:

   • The bulletin mentions two specific paintings:
     • "Toilet of Venus" by François Boucher (French, 1703-1770), dated 1751, on canvas, measuring 42 3/4 x 33 3/4 inches, lent by The Metropolitan Museum of Art (bequest of William K. Vanderbilt). Condition: Excellent.
     • "Still Life" by Pieter Claesz (Dutch, c. 1597-1661), on panel, measuring 19 1/16 x 30 3/8 inches, lent by The Art Institute of Chicago. Condition: Excellent.

4. Exhibition Size:

   • The exhibition features a relatively small number of paintings, specifically thirty.

5. Museum Information:

   • The Worcester Art Museum is located at 55 Salisbury Street, Worcester 2, Massachusetts.
   • Admission is free at all times with specified visiting hours:
     • Daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
     • Sundays from 2 to 6 p.m. (October through May) and 2 to 5 p.m. (June through September).
     • Closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and July 4th.
   • Museum Library hours are from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 2 to 5 p.m., closed Saturday afternoons, Sundays, and holidays.
   • Telephone number provided for Museum offices and School of the Worcester Art Museum is Dial 2-4678.

The bulletin effectively communicates the special nature of the exhibition and provides essential details about the museum's operations and visiting hours.

The image is of a page from the Worcester Art Museum's News Bulletin and Calendar, Volume XVI, No. 6, dated March 1951. Here's a detailed summary of the contents:

Main Article: Condition: Excellent

The article discusses a special exhibition titled "Condition: Excellent," which showcases old paintings that have survived in remarkably good condition despite being made from perishable materials. The exhibition aims to demonstrate how these paintings have resisted damage and deterioration over time due to the careful selection and treatment of materials. The text emphasizes that no combination of materials can fully protect against environmental factors such as air, insects, microorganisms, and repeated handling. However, some paintings have managed to endure with minimal damage.

Featured Artworks:

1. Toilet of Venus (dated 1751)

   • Artist: François Boucher (French, 1703-1770)
   • Medium: Oil on canvas, 32 3/4 x 39 3/8 inches
   • Lender: The Metropolitan Museum of Art (bequest of William K. Vanderbilt)
   • Condition: Excellent, with minor issues like slight discoloration of surface coatings and minor grime, but no substantial defects.

2. Still Life

   • Artist: Pieter Claesz (Dutch, c. 1597-1661)
   • Medium: Oil on panel, 19 1/16 x 30 3/8 inches
   • Lender: The Art Institute of Chicago
   • Condition: Excellent

Museum Information:

• Location and Hours:

  • Address: 55 Salisbury Street, Worcester 2, Massachusetts
  • Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Sundays and holidays from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Open Tuesdays until 10 p.m. from November through April.
  • Closed on July, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.
  • Museum Library hours: Daily 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.; closed Saturday afternoons, Sundays, and holidays.

• Admission:

  • Free at all times.

• Contact:

  • Telephone: Dial 2-4678 for Museum offices and School of the Worcester Art Museum.

The overall theme of the bulletin is to highlight the preservation of artworks and the factors that contribute to their excellent condition over centuries.

This image shows a page from the Worcester Art Museum's "News Bulletin and Calendar," specifically Volume XVI, No. 6 from March 1951. The page is titled "Condition: Excellent" and discusses the condition of a special exhibition of paintings. It explains the challenges in preserving old paintings, emphasizing the materials' vulnerability to damage from environmental factors and handling, but notes that many paintings have survived with only minor imperfections.

The page includes two black-and-white images of artworks. The larger image on the right is titled "Toilet of Venus," dated 1751, by François Boucher (French, 1703-1770). It is an oil on canvas measuring 42¼ x 33⅜ inches, lent by The Metropolitan Museum of Art. The condition is described as excellent.

The smaller image on the left is titled "Still Life" by Pieter Claesz (Dutch, c. 1597-1661). It is an oil on panel measuring 19 1/8 x 30 7/8 inches, lent by The Art Institute of Chicago. Its condition is also noted as excellent.

At the bottom, the page includes practical information about the Worcester Art Museum, its location at 55 Salisbury Street, Worcester, Massachusetts, admission details, opening hours, holiday closings, and contact telephone numbers.

The image appears to be a page from a publication related to the Worcester Art Museum. The document is titled "NEWS BULLETIN AND CALENDAR" and is dated March 1952, Issue No. 6 of Volume XXVI. The content of the page includes text discussing the condition of paintings in the context of an exhibition, presumably at the museum, and mentions technical comments about the aging of the paintings, their exposure to various environmental factors, and the survival of paintings through time.

The page also features two images of artworks with captions below them. The first is titled "TOILET OF VENUS," dated to 1751 by François Boucher (1703-1770). It is an oil on canvas and was lent by The Metropolitan Museum of Art for an exhibition of W. Randolph Hearst's collection. Specifics about the piece's fading, discoloration, and surface coatings are mentioned, along with comments on the consequences of aging artworks.

The second artwork is a "STILL LIFE" by Pieter Claesz (1596/97-1660), an oil on panel, and it was lent by The Institute of Chicago for the exhibition, listed as in "excellent" condition.

Additionally, the page includes the museum's address on Salisbury Street in Worcester, Massachusetts, along with admission times, and contact information such as the telephone number.

The image shows the cover page of the Worcester Art Museum News Bulletin and Calendar, dated March 1951. It is Volume XVI, Number 6, and is described as being in excellent condition. The bulletin discusses a special exhibition focused on the condition of old paintings, highlighting the challenges and preservation issues faced by artworks over time.

Key Elements in the Image:

1. Title and Header:

   • The header prominently displays "WORCESTER ART MUSEUM NEWS BULLETIN AND CALENDAR" at the top.
   • Below the header, it indicates Volume XVI, No. 6, and the date March, 1951.

2. Main Text:

   • The text explains the purpose of the exhibition, titled "Condition: Excellent," which aims to showcase paintings that have survived despite the natural deterioration of organic materials over time.
   • It discusses the challenges faced by paintings due to environmental factors, such as fading, discoloration, surface coatings, cracking, and the effects of insects and microorganisms.
   • The bulletin notes that while some paintings have come through these challenges with minimal damage, perfect condition is rare and temporary.

3. Illustrations:

   • Top Right: An illustration titled "TOILET OF VENUS", dated 1751, by François Boucher (French, 1703–1770). It is an oil on canvas, measuring 42 1/2" x 33 1/4", lent by the Metropolitan Museum of Art (bequest of William K. Vanderbilt). The condition is noted as Excellent.
   • Bottom Left: An illustration titled "STILL LIFE", dated 1597–1661, by Pieter Claes (Dutch). It is an oil on panel, measuring 19 1/16" x 30", lent by the Art Institute of Chicago. The condition is also noted as Excellent.

4. Footer Information:

   • The bulletin provides details about the Worcester Art Museum, including its address (55 Salisbury Street, Worcester 2, Massachusetts).
   • Admission and Hours:
     • Open at all times: Daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sundays through May 26th from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
     • Closed: Tuesdays until June through September, and 2 to 5 p.m. on holidays.
     • Open on Sundays: From October through May, 2 to 6 p.m.
   • Museum Library Hours: Daily from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and 2 to 5 p.m., closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.
   • Telephone: Dial 24-678 for the museum offices and school.

5. Page Number:

   • The page is labeled as 25 at the bottom.

Overall Context:

The bulletin serves as an informational piece for the museum's visitors, detailing the special exhibition on the condition of old paintings, providing historical and artistic context, and offering practical visitor information such as hours, admission, and contact details. The illustrations of "Toilet of Venus" and "Still Life" serve as examples of the artworks featured in the exhibition, emphasizing their condition and historical significance.

The image is of a bulletin and calendar for the Worcester Art Museum. The bulletin is titled "Worcester Art Museum News Bulletin and Calendar" and is Volume XVI, No. 6, from March 1951. The bulletin contains information about an exhibition of paintings that have survived the test of time. The bulletin also includes a list of paintings that are on display, along with their condition and the museum where they are from. The bulletin also includes information about the museum's hours of operation and admission fees.