Archives Scrapbooks

Ctrl-C, Ctrl-V. Rinse, repeat.

Fogg Art Museum Scrapbooks, August 1951-May 1958

ARCH.2003.32, Rendition: 804068

Qwen, qwen.qwen3-vl-235b-a22b

This is a photograph of an open, aged scrapbook or album, displaying a single page containing a newspaper clipping. The page and the surrounding book are yellowed with age, suggesting it is from the mid-20th century.

The Newspaper Clipping

The clipping is titled “Acquisitive Female Has Been Around” and is subtitled “Art, Jewel Collectors.” It is an article written by Lucille Elfensben.

The Photograph

On the left side of the clipping is a black-and-white portrait photograph of an elderly, well-dressed woman. She is seated and wearing:

  • A dark, perhaps formal, jacket or dress with an elaborate, large, flower-shaped brooch at her collar.
  • A multi-strand pearl necklace.
  • Her white hair is styled formally.
  • She is holding a small, dark handbag or purse.

Beneath the photo, a caption reads:

“Diamonds have always been a girl’s best friend, says Agnes Mongan.”
—David L. Lawrence

This identifies the woman in the photograph as Agnes Mongan.

The Article Text

The article begins by challenging the notion that collecting art and jewels is a modern phenomenon for women. It recounts a lecture given by Miss Agnes Mongan, assistant director of the Fogg Art Museum of Harvard University, at the Rhode Island School of Design’s Museum of Art.

The text discusses the historical role of women as collectors, noting that they have long influenced the creation and gathering of art and jewelry. It mentions historical figures such as Catherine de Medici and Queen Christina of Sweden, as well as modern collectors including:

  • Dr. Clarabelle Cohen of Baltimore
  • Peggy Guggenheim and Maisie
  • Mrs. Jack Gardner of Boston
  • “A modern Isabella,” Miss Mongan herself

The article suggests that throughout history, women not only collected art and jewels for themselves but often dictated tastes and styles that influenced their societies.

Scrapbook Label

In the upper left corner of the page, there is a printed label from the New England Newspaper Agency, Inc. based in Providence, R.I. It is marked as a “Bulletin (e)” from the newspaper “Independent”, with a circulation of 146,288 and the date “Circ. 4-4-1957” (April 4, 1957). A handwritten note appears to say “Fine Art”.


In summary, this image shows a preserved clipping from a 1957 newspaper, highlighting a lecture by art historian Agnes Mongan on the long history of women as collectors of art and jewels, featuring her own portrait. It is part of a scrapbook, likely maintained by someone interested in art, culture, or women’s history.

Qwen, Qwen/Qwen2.5-VL-7B-Instruct

The image shows a page from a scrapbook or a collection of clippings. The main focus is a newspaper article with the headline "Art, Jewel Collectors: Acquisitive Female Has Been Around." The article is by Lucille Elfenbein and discusses the influence of women on the art and jewelry collecting world throughout history. The article mentions notable figures such as Madam Pompadour and Catherine of Russia, among others.

To the left of the article is a black-and-white portrait of a woman, presumably Agnes Mongan, as the article credits her with speaking at the Rhode Island School of Design Museum of Art. The woman is wearing a dark outfit with a necklace and a brooch, and she appears to be in front of a piano or a similar piece of furniture. There is also a small caption below the portrait that reads, "Diamonds have always been a girl's best friend, says Agnes Mongan."

The page appears to be aged, with some wear and tear, and there are some additional documents visible at the top of the image, suggesting this is part of a larger collection or archive. The scrapbook itself has a worn and yellowed cover, indicating that it is quite old.

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

This image shows a page from an old newspaper that has been clipped and placed in a scrapbook or binder. The newspaper is titled "Bulletin (e)" and is from Providence, R.I. The article is titled "Acquisitive Female Has Been Around" and is written by Lucille Elfenbein. The article discusses women as collectors of art and jewels, mentioning that the concept of the acquisitive female is not new and has historical roots dating back to the Crusades. The article references Agnes Mongan, who delivered a lecture on "Women as Collectors" at the Rhode Island School of Design's Museum of Art.

To the left of the article, there is a photograph of a woman, presumably Agnes Mongan, sitting at a typewriter. The caption below the photograph reads, "Diamonds have always been a girl's best friend, says Agnes Mongan." The photograph is credited to J. David Lamontagne.

The page is attached to a brown paper cover, and there are some other papers and notes visible in the background, suggesting that this is part of a larger collection or archive. The overall appearance of the page and the photograph suggests that the item is from a past era, likely mid-20th century.

Amazon, amazon.nova-pro-v1:0

The image is a photograph of a newspaper clipping pasted on a piece of paper. The clipping features an article titled "Acquisitive Female Has Been Around" by Lucille Elenbein, dated June 20th, 1956, published by the New England Newspaper Agency, Inc. The article discusses the historical role of women as collectors of art and jewels, highlighting their influence on the development of museums and art collections.

The article includes a black-and-white photograph of Agnes Mongan, who is described as the assistant director of the Fogg Art Museum at Harvard University. She is shown standing and appears to be speaking or presenting. The photograph is positioned to the left of the article text.

The text of the article describes how women of various historical periods, from ancient times to the modern era, have been significant collectors of art and jewels. It mentions specific women, such as Queen Christine of Sweden, who influenced the art collections of the Vatican, and Queen Isabella of Spain, who supported the arts and sciences. The article also notes the contributions of modern women collectors, such as Dr. Chanabelle Olin of Milwaukee, Mrs. Mary Stu-art Jack Gardner of Boston, and Mrs. Paul Mellon, who have continued this tradition.

The clipping is pasted on a larger piece of paper that appears to be part of a scrapbook or a collection. The edges of the paper are slightly worn, and there are other pieces of paper and clippings visible in the background, suggesting that this is part of a larger compilation of articles and images.

Amazon, amazon.nova-lite-v1:0

The image shows a newspaper clipping featuring an article titled "Acquisitive Female Has Been Around" and an accompanying photograph of a woman. The clipping is part of a larger collection, as evidenced by the visible edges of other pages. The article discusses the life and interests of a woman named Agnes Mongan, who is described as an art and jewelry collector. The clipping includes a quote from Mongan, "Diamonds have always been a girl's best friend," and mentions her travels with her children.

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

The image depicts a historical newspaper clipping from the New England Newspaper Agency, Inc., specifically from the Bulletin of Providence, R.I., dated June 28, 1948. The clipping is titled "Art, Jewel Collectors" and features an article titled "Acquisitive Female Has Been Around" by Lucille Elpenben.

Key Elements of the Image:

  1. Headline and Subheading:

    • The main headline is "Acquisitive Female Has Been Around", which suggests a focus on women who have been active collectors or patrons of art and jewelry over time.
  2. Photograph:

    • On the left side of the clipping, there is a black-and-white photograph of a woman. She is dressed in formal attire, wearing a dark coat with a large, decorative brooch or pin on her chest. Her expression is composed, and she appears to be middle-aged or older.
    • Below the photograph, there is a caption that reads: "Diamonds have always been a girl's best friend, says Agnes Morgan." This indicates that the woman in the photograph is likely Agnes Morgan, who is being quoted in the article.
  3. Article Content:

    • The article discusses the historical role of women as collectors and patrons of art and jewelry. It mentions that women have been significant contributors to the art world for centuries, often acquiring pieces for personal enjoyment, as gifts, or for investment.
    • The text references various notable women collectors, including:
      • Agnes Morgan, who is highlighted in the photograph and quoted.
      • Mrs. Jack Gardner of Boston, known for her extensive art collection.
      • Mrs. Catherine and Mrs. Henry P. du Pont, who are mentioned as part of a family known for their collecting habits.
    • The article also touches on the evolution of women's roles in art collecting, noting that while women were historically seen as patrons, their influence has grown over time.
  4. Layout and Design:

    • The clipping is part of a larger newspaper page, with visible text from adjacent columns on either side. The newspaper's header includes details such as the publication name, date, and circulation figures (Circ. 146,283).
    • The article is formatted in a classic newspaper style, with dense text and a clear separation between the visual element (the photograph) and the written content.
  5. Contextual Clues:

    • The article appears to be from the mid-20th century, as indicated by the date (1948) and the style of the photograph and typography.
    • The focus on women collectors suggests a celebration or acknowledgment of their contributions to the art world, which may have been a progressive perspective for the time.

Summary:

The image is a historical newspaper clipping from June 28, 1948, featuring an article about women as art and jewel collectors. It includes a photograph of Agnes Morgan, quoted as saying, "Diamonds have always been a girl's best friend," and discusses the long-standing role of women in collecting art and jewelry, highlighting notable collectors such as Agnes Morgan, Mrs. Jack Gardner, and members of the du Pont family. The clipping reflects a mid-20th-century perspective on women's contributions to the art world.

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

The image is an old scrapbook or album page containing a newspaper clipping. On the left side, there's a grainy black-and-white photograph of a woman dressed formally with a necklace featuring a prominent flower-shaped pendant or brooch. Her face is obscured. Below the photograph, there's a caption stating, "Diamonds have always been a girl's best friend, says Agnes Mongan."

To the right of the photograph is a newspaper article titled "Art, Jewel Collectors: Acquisitive Female Has Been Around" written by Lucille Elefensen. The article discusses women as art and jewel collectors, mentioning their historical contributions and roles. The clipping appears yellowed with age, and the scrapbook page shows signs of wear, indicative of its vintage nature. A small pinned label in the top left corner provides information linking the source to Providence, Rhode Island.

OpenAI, gpt-4

This image shows an open book or scrapbook with aged, yellowed pages. On the right page, there is a newspaper clipping featuring an article titled "Art, Jewel Collectors" with a subtitle "Acquisitive Female Has Been Around." The article is by Lucille Rapkin. Below the clipped newspaper section, there is a caption "Diamonds have always been a girl's best friend, says Agnes Mongan." The rest of the page has text which is partially visible, containing information about art and collecting practices. It does appear to be a vintage publication due to the paper quality and typographic style. The left page of the book exhibits part of a masthead or header from another clipped article or section, but the details are not clear. The bottom of the open book includes a frayed edge, indicating wear over time.

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

The image shows an old newspaper clipping mounted on a scrapbook or album page. The clipping consists of a black-and-white photograph on the left side and an article on the right side.

  • The photo depicts a woman wearing a dark dress or coat, holding something in her hand. She is adorned with jewelry, including a prominent brooch shaped like a flower on her chest and a necklace. The caption below the photo reads: "Diamonds have always been a girl's best friend, says Agnes Monogan."

  • The article's headline reads: "Acquisitive Female Has Been Around" and is subtitled with "Art, Jewel Collectors." The article is written by Lucille Elfenbein and discusses the history and role of women collectors of art and jewelry, including references to medieval owners, the influence of women jewelers, and examples of notable women collectors.

  • Above the clipping, there is a small stamp or label from "New England Newsclip Agency, Inc." indicating the source as Providence, R.I.

The overall appearance of the scrapbook page and newspaper clipping suggests it is from an earlier time, possibly mid-20th century or earlier, exhibiting some yellowing consistent with age.

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

This is a page from a vintage scrapbook. The page is a worn, yellowed brown and has two newspaper clippings glued to it.

  • Left clipping: a black‑and‑white photo of a woman in a dark outfit wearing a large flower/necklace. The face is blurred. The caption beneath reads something like “Diamonds have always been a girl’s best friend, says Agnes Morgan.”
  • Right clipping: a newspaper article with a bold headline that reads “Acquisitive Female Has Been Around” and a smaller subtitle “Art, Jewel Collectors.” The article text runs in a column next to the photo.
  • Also visible is a small label from the New England Newspaper Agency stuck near the top left of the page.
  • The overall effect is a mid‑20th‑century collage of clippings about jewelry collectors.