Archives Scrapbooks

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Fogg Art Museum Scrapbooks, August 1951-May 1958

ARCH.2003.32, Rendition: 804063

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This image shows a scanned page from a publication, likely a newspaper or a magazine, with articles and a photograph. The top left article is titled "Shahn and W," discussing an artist named Ben Shahn and his critique of contemporary art, with the article dated "Nov. 28, 1956." It appears to be written by Lowell J. Rubin.

The top right section features a black-and-white photograph of a Buddhist monk, labeled "Buddhist Monk on Visit." The accompanying text describes the monk's visit to Harvard and mentions his lecture on Buddhism, dated "Nov. 30, 1956." The text also includes the monk's name, Huot-Tath, and his role as the Cambodian Inspector General of Buddhist Education.

The bottom section of the page contains an article titled "Hits Merger of Facilities" dated "Dec. 8, 1956," which discusses the Fine Arts Department's opposition to a report that proposed the merger of facilities and resources in a Visual Arts Center. The article highlights the department's concerns and criticisms of the proposals, including the idea of setting up a special studio center and the location of the Harvard Theatre.

The page has a vintage appearance, with yellowed paper, a slightly aged look, and a few creases, indicating it is a physical copy of a historical document.

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This image is a page from a scrapbook containing newspaper clippings from The Harvard Crimson dated November 1956 and December 1956. The page has three distinct clippings pasted onto a brown paper background.

  1. Top Left Clipping:

    • Headline: "Shahn and V Artist Asserts Form Expresses Content, Ends Fall Series"
    • Byline: By LOWELL J. RUBIN
    • Date: THE HARVARD CRIMSON, Nov. 28, 1956
    • Content: The article discusses Ben Shahn's final fall Norton lecture, where he criticizes the negative attitude of many contemporary artists and critics toward content in painting. He argues that form is an expression of content and that the two are united even when attempts are made to separate them. The article also mentions Shahn's views on modern art, contemporary artists' focus on color and design, and his opinions on the failure in many areas of contemporary art.
  2. Top Right Clipping:

    • Headline: "Buddhist Monk on Visit"
    • Date: THE HARVARD CRIMSON, Nov. 30, 1956
    • Content: The clipping features a photograph of a Buddhist monk (The Venerable HUOT-TATH) and a brief description of his visit to Harvard. The monk, a Cambodian Inspector General of Buddhist Education and an Elder of the Mohanikay Order, is shown watching John P. Coolidge, Director of the Fogg Art Museum, demonstrate an early American napkin ring. The article mentions that the monk will lecture on Buddhism to History of Religions 101 and that he is traveling in the country to study the American educational system.
  3. Bottom Clipping:

    • Headline: "Hits Merger of Facilities Fine Arts Department Opposes Overseers’ Visual Arts Report"
    • Date: THE HARVARD CRIMSON, Dec. 8, 1956
    • Content: The article discusses the Fine Arts Department's opposition to the Overseers’ Visual Arts Report, which called for a total reorganization of the University's facilities for the study of art. The department issued a categorical rebuttal of suggestions to merge its faculty and resources in a Visual Arts Center. The article details the department's specific objections to the report's proposals, including the idea of setting up a special studio center for students, the proposal to build the Harvard Theatre on land adjacent to the Fogg Museum, and the need for a larger teaching staff, including medieval and oriental specialists.

The clippings are neatly arranged on the page, with the top two clippings from November and the bottom clipping from December, indicating a chronological order of events. The background paper appears to be aged, with some signs of wear and tear.

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The image shows a page of an old newspaper, perhaps from the 1950s. The newspaper is open, and the page is divided into three sections. The top section is a photograph of a Buddhist monk on a visit, and the text below it reads "Buddhist Monk on Visit." The middle section is a news article about the merger of facilities, and the bottom section is another news article about the Fine Arts Department opposing overseers' visual arts report.

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The image is a spread of an old book, featuring two articles. The left page contains an article titled "Shahn and V" with a subheading "Artist Asserts Form Expresses Content, Ends Fall Series." The article is written by Lowell J. Rubin and discusses Ben Shahn, an artist known for his critique of contemporary art and his final fall Norton lecture. The article highlights Shahn's belief in the unity of form and content in art, despite criticism from some for his "formalist" approach. The right page features an article titled "Buddhist Monk on Visit" with a subheading "The Venerable EHUOT-TATH, Cambodian Inspector General of Buddhist Education and an Elder for the Mohanakha Order, watches JOHN COLLEDGE '58, Director of the Fogg Art Museum, demonstrate an early American toothpick ring." This article discusses a visit by a Cambodian Buddhist monk to Harvard, where he gave a lecture on Buddhism. The articles are accompanied by photographs; the left page has a photo of Shahn, and the right page has a photo of the monk and a Harvard student.

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The image shows two pages from a newspaper, likely The Harvard Crimson, dated November 30, 1956, and December 8, 1956. The pages feature a mix of news articles and photographs, providing a glimpse into campus life and events at Harvard University during that time.

Left Page:

  • Headline: "Shahn and V Artist Asserts Form Expresses Content, Ends Fall Series"
    • Subheading: "By LOWELL J. RUBIN"
    • Content: This article discusses a lecture or presentation by artist Ben Shahn, who asserts that form in art expresses content. The article highlights Shahn's critique of contemporary painting and his emphasis on the relationship between form and meaning in art. It also mentions his views on the role of artists in society and the importance of public engagement with art. The article is dated November 28, 1956.

Right Page:

  • Top Section:

    • Headline: "Buddhist Monk on Visit"
    • Image: A black-and-white photograph shows a Buddhist monk, identified as The Venerable HUDTATATH, a Cambodian Inspector-General of Buddhist Education and Director of the Pugg Art Museum. The monk is depicted in traditional Buddhist robes, sitting with two individuals. The caption explains that he is visiting Harvard to demonstrate an early American napkin ring made of stone, which he used as a "teacher's tool" to illustrate the history of religions. The article notes that he is traveling to study the American educational system. The article is dated November 30, 1956.
  • Bottom Section:

    • Headline: "Hits Merger of Facilities Fine Arts Department Opposes Overseers' Visual Arts Report"
    • Content: This article discusses a controversy surrounding a report by the Overseers of Harvard University regarding the reorganization of the University's visual arts facilities. The Fine Arts Department opposes the report, which calls for a total reorganization of the University's facilities as a single department. Key points include:
      • The report suggests merging the Fogg Art Museum, the Busch-Reisinger Museum, and the Harvard Theatre into a single department.
      • John Nicholas Brown 2T, the chairman of the Overseers' Committee to Visit the Department of Fine Arts, presented the report.
      • The Fine Arts Department, led by Leonard C. Olson, opposes the merger, arguing that it would disrupt the current structure and hinder the department's ability to function effectively.
      • The article highlights concerns about the impact on faculty, students, and the overall academic environment. It is dated December 8, 1956.

Overall Context:

The pages provide a snapshot of campus life at Harvard in 1956, focusing on:

  1. Art and Culture: The lecture by Ben Shahn and the visit of a Buddhist monk highlight the intersection of art, philosophy, and international cultural exchange.
  2. Institutional Politics: The debate over the reorganization of the Fine Arts Department reflects the internal challenges and strategic planning faced by academic institutions during this era.

The layout, typography, and content suggest these are archival pages from a student-run newspaper, capturing both intellectual discourse and administrative developments at Harvard University.

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The image presents a page from an old book or newspaper, featuring a mix of articles and images. The page is yellowed with age and has a worn appearance, indicating its historical significance.

  • Article 1: "Shahn and War"
    • Title: "Shahn and War"
    • Author: Lowell J. Rubin
    • Date: November 28, 1956
    • Content: The article discusses artist Ben Shahn's work and his views on war, highlighting his concerns about the impact of war on society and the role of art in conveying these concerns.
  • Article 2: "Buddhist Monk on Visit"
    • Title: "Buddhist Monk on Visit"
    • Image: A black-and-white photograph of a Buddhist monk
    • Date: November 30, 1956
    • Content: The article reports on the visit of a Buddhist monk to Harvard University, highlighting his interest in American educational systems and his desire to learn more about Western culture.
  • Article 3: "Fine Arts Department Opposes Overseers' Visual Arts Report"
    • Title: "Fine Arts Department Opposes Overseers' Visual Arts Report"
    • Date: December 8, 1956
    • Content: The article discusses the opposition of the Fine Arts Department to a report by the Overseers' Visual Arts Committee, which recommended changes to the department's curriculum and facilities.

In summary, the page features three articles that highlight the intersection of art, culture, and education in the mid-20th century. The articles provide insight into the concerns and perspectives of artists, educators, and religious leaders during this time period.

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The image depicts a page from an old book or scrapbook, featuring newspaper clippings. The top clipping is titled "Buddhist Monk on Visit" and includes a black-and-white photograph of a monk in traditional robes, accompanied by text describing his visit to the United States. The article discusses the monk's lectures on Buddhism and his travels across the country.

Below this clipping is another article titled "Hits Merger of Facilities," which appears to be about a controversy surrounding the merger of facilities at Harvard University. The article mentions the Fine Arts Department opposing the merger and quotes from various individuals involved in the debate.

To the left of these clippings is a third article titled "Shahn and W," which discusses the work of artist Ben Shahn and his use of content in his art. The article also mentions Shahn's lecture at Harvard, where he emphasized the importance of understanding things and people outside oneself.

Overall, the image suggests that the book or scrapbook contains a collection of newspaper articles related to art, culture, and education, with a focus on events and issues at Harvard University.

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The image depicts a vintage newspaper clipping from "The Harvard Crimson" dated November 30, 1956, featuring an article titled "Buddhist Monk on Visit." The article is accompanied by a black-and-white photograph of a Buddhist monk shaking hands with another individual.

The clipping is situated on a yellowed page, alongside two other articles: "Shahn and" and "Hits Merger of Facilities Fine Arts Department Opposes Overseers' Visual Arts Report." The overall appearance of the clipping suggests that it has been preserved for an extended period, with visible signs of aging and wear. The background of the image is a plain gray color, which helps to highlight the details of the clipping.

The image provides a glimpse into the past, offering a unique perspective on historical events and cultural exchange. The presence of the Buddhist monk and the articles related to art and education suggest that the clipping may be of interest to those studying the intersection of culture, religion, and academia during the mid-20th century.

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The image presents a scanned page from an old book or scrapbook, featuring three newspaper clippings from The Harvard Crimson. The clippings are arranged in a collage-like manner, with the top clipping being the largest and the two smaller ones positioned below it.

Top Clipping:
The top clipping is dated November 30, 1956, and features a black-and-white photograph of two men shaking hands. The headline reads "Buddhist Monk on Visit," accompanied by a subheading that identifies the individuals in the photo as The Venerable Hiuet Tath, Cambodian Inspector General of Buddhist Education and an Elder of the Mohanikay Order, and John P. Coolidge '36, Director of the Fogg Art Museum.

Left Clipping:
The left clipping, dated November 28, 1956, has a headline that reads "Shahn and V Artist Asserts Form Expresses Content, Ends Fall Series." The article discusses the artist Ben Shahn's views on form and content in art.

Bottom Clipping:
The bottom clipping, dated December 5, 1956, has a headline that reads "Fine Arts Department Opposes Overseers' Visual Arts Report." The article discusses the Fine Arts Department's opposition to a report on visual arts facilities at Harvard University.

Background:
The background of the image is a light gray color, which helps to highlight the yellowed newspaper clippings. The overall appearance of the image suggests that it is a scanned page from an old book or scrapbook, possibly created by a student or faculty member at Harvard University in the 1950s.

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The image is a page from a newspaper, specifically "The Harvard Crimson," dated November 30, 1956. It contains three distinct articles.

  1. Top Left Article: "Shahn and Vanni"

    • The article discusses a lecture by an artist, Shahn, who emphasizes the importance of content over form in art. He criticizes the modern trend of abstract expressionism, asserting that it lacks intellectual depth. Shahn argues that artists should focus on the meaning behind their work rather than just the aesthetic aspects. He believes that the future of art lies in the hands of contemporary artists who can convey ideas through their work.
  2. Top Right Article: "Buddhist Monk on Visit"

    • This article features a photograph of a Buddhist monk, the Venerable Nyanatiloka Mahathera, who is visiting Harvard. He is described as the Cambodian Inspector General of Buddhist Education and an elder of the Mahanikaya Order. The monk is visiting to lecture on Buddhist history and religion. He is also studying the American educational system.
  3. Bottom Article: "Hills Merger of Facilities"

    • The article reports on a meeting where the Fine Arts Department opposed a report by the Overseers' Visual Arts Committee. The report suggested a merger of facilities and the establishment of a study committee to consider a new visual arts center. The department argued that such a center would be impractical and that the existing facilities, such as the Fogg Museum and the Harvard Theatre, are adequate. The department also expressed concerns about the potential disruption to teaching and research activities.

Overall, the page covers a range of topics including art, religion, and academic administration at Harvard University.