Archives Scrapbooks

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Fogg Art Museum Scrapbooks, January 1966-May 1973

ARCH.2003.36, Rendition: 805225

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

This image displays an open, aged scrapbook page featuring two newspaper clippings, meticulously mounted on yellowed, slightly worn paper. The clippings originate from October 1966 and document cultural events and honors related to Harvard University.


Left Clipping: "Art Books" - Kansas City Star

This article, dated October 16, 1966, is from the Kansas City Star and was clipped by the American Press Clipping Bureau, Inc. It reviews an art exhibition titled “DAVID SMITH, 1906–1965” at the Fogg Art Museum, Harvard University, curated by Jane Harrison Cone.

Key details:

  • David Smith (1906–1965) was an American sculptor known for his abstract, constructed metal works.
  • The review praises the exhibition’s “retrospective” nature and “standard guide” catalog, noting that only 21 pieces were chosen for display.
  • The review highlights the “calm, quiet” quality of Smith’s later sculptures, which contrast with the “violent, dynamic” energy of his earlier works.
  • The piece also mentions the inclusion of Smith’s “penchant for rather archaic imagery” and his use of Greek letters in his work.
  • The article is signed “–D. L. U.”.

Right Clipping: “Edward Forbes of Naushon, Boston Honored by Harvard University” - Sunday Standard-Times

This prominent article, dated October 16, 1966, is from the Sunday Standard-Times of New Bedford, Massachusetts (Circ. 56,795). It reports on a ceremony where Harvard University officially named a new plaza and arcade in Harvard Yard in honor of Edward Waldo Forbes (1873–1964), a former director of the Fogg Art Museum.

Key details:

  • The Edward Waldo Forbes Plaza and Arcade connect Harvard Yard with Massachusetts Avenue and the Holyoke Center, running through the old “Fogg Block” area.
  • A photo accompanies the article, captioned: “NEW PLAZA on Massachusetts Avenue... and arcade connect Harvard Yard...” It shows the newly constructed brick plaza with trees and benches, a view of Harvard’s architectural surroundings, and parked cars — typical of the 1960s.
  • The article chronicles Forbes’s life and career: his birth on Naushon Island, his 30-year directorship of the Fogg Art Museum (1909–1944), his efforts to secure funds for the new museum building (opened 1927), and his academic background—he earned a doctorate of arts from Harvard in 1942.
  • He was involved in founding the Swain School of Design and was active in art conservation, serving on the Committee of the Dunham Ochka Collection and the Byzantine Studies in Washington.
  • The article notes his marriage to Margaret Laughlin in 1897 and that she predeceased him by 17 years.
  • A small, inset photo identifies “EDWARD W. FORBES”, a portrait-style image (partially visible, showing his face and shoulders).

Overall Context

The scrapbook page captures two distinct but interconnected cultural moments in 1966:

  1. A tribute to the legacy of David Smith, a leading modern sculptor, whose work was being celebrated at Harvard’s Fogg Art Museum.
  2. An institutional honor bestowed upon Edward Forbes, a pivotal figure in the museum’s history, whose contributions to art curation, education, and museum architecture at Harvard were being recognized with a permanent naming.

The page reflects the careful preservation of significant cultural and academic milestones, possibly curated by someone with an interest in art, Harvard, or both. The clipping from Kansas City suggests national interest in the David Smith exhibition, while the New Bedford clipping provides local, regional coverage of Harvard’s tribute to Forbes—a prominent Boston-area figure.

The physical presentation, with its aged paper, taped corners, and slightly faded ink, evokes a sense of historical preservation and personal curation from the mid-20th century.

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

The image shows a page from a scrapbook or collection of newspaper clippings. The page contains a news article from the "Sunday Standard-Times" dated October 16, 1966, titled "Edward Forbes of Naushon, Boston Honored by Harvard University." The article discusses the naming of a plaza and arcade at Harvard University in honor of Edward Waldo Forbes, who was the retired director of the Fogg Art Museum. The article includes a photograph of a building, presumably the plaza or arcade being mentioned, and a smaller photograph of Edward Forbes.

There is also an insert on the left side of the page that appears to be a separate article or clipping related to art books, discussing the work of David Smith and Jane Harrison Cone. This insert includes a headline, "Art Books," and text about the Fogg Art Museum's exhibition of David Smith's work. The insert is labeled with "AMERICAN Press Clipping Bureau, Inc." and a phone number.

The page itself shows some signs of wear, with creases and a slightly yellowed appearance, indicating it is from an older document. The overall context suggests this is a historical collection, likely used for research or commemoration purposes.

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

This image appears to be a page from a scrapbook or archive, containing several newspaper clippings. The main clipping is from the "Sunday Standard-Times" dated October 16, 1966, and it is about Edward Forbes of Naushon, Boston, being honored by Harvard University. The headline reads "Edward Forbes of Naushon, Boston Honored by Harvard University."

The article discusses a new plaza and arcade at Harvard University named after Edward Waldo Forbes, a retired director of the Fogg Art Museum. It mentions that Forbes was born on Naushon Island and has a connection to the island throughout his career. The article also includes a photograph of the new plaza at Harvard University, showing a modern building with a parking area in front.

Additionally, there is a smaller clipping on the left side of the page from the "American Press Clipping Bureau, Inc." dated October 16, 1966, from the "Star" in Kansas City, Missouri. This clipping is about an art book titled "David Smith, 1906-1965" by Jane Harrison Cone, which is a retrospective exhibition of the work of the American sculptor David Smith.

There is also a small photograph of Edward W. Forbes included in the main clipping, and some handwritten notes and markings on the page. The overall condition of the page suggests it is an older document, likely preserved for historical or personal reasons.

Amazon, amazon.nova-pro-v1:0

The image is a scrapbook page that features a newspaper clipping from the Sunday Standard-Times, New Bedford, Massachusetts, dated October 15, 1966. The headline reads, "Edward Forbes of Naushon, Boston Honored by Harvard University." The clipping includes a photograph of Edward W. Forbes, who is wearing a suit and tie, and a building, likely the Fogg Art Museum at Harvard University.

The text describes Forbes's long-standing association with Harvard University, where he served as director of the Fogg Art Museum. He is credited with significantly expanding the museum's collection and collaborating with other art institutions. Forbes's contributions to art education and his role in establishing the Edward Waldo Forbes Prize for Fine Arts are also highlighted.

Additionally, the scrapbook page includes a smaller clipping from American Press Clipping Bureau, Inc., which provides Forbes's biographical details and his connection to the art world. There is also a note from the bureau indicating the clipping's value and the bureau's contact information.

The scrapbook page is neatly arranged, with the clippings pasted onto the page and additional notes and information handwritten in the margins. The page is part of a larger collection, as indicated by the presence of other clippings and notes on the surrounding pages.

Amazon, amazon.nova-lite-v1:0

The image is a scanned page from a newspaper clipping book. The page features an article titled "Edward Forbes of Naushon, Boston Honored by Harvard University" from the Sunday Standard-Times, New Bedford, Mass. The clipping includes a photograph of Edward W. Forbes, a prominent figure associated with Harvard University and the Fogg Art Museum. The article highlights Forbes' contributions to Harvard and his role in the establishment of the Fogg Art Museum. It mentions Forbes' honorary degrees, his involvement in the acquisition of art pieces, and his dedication to the museum. The clipping also includes a small photograph of Forbes and a brief biography.

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

The image depicts a page from a newspaper clipping, specifically from the New Bedford Sunday Standard-Times dated October 16, 1966. The headline prominently reads: "Edward Forbes of Naushon, Boston Honored by Harvard University." The article discusses Edward Forbes, a notable figure associated with Harvard University, and highlights his contributions to the arts and academia.

Key Elements in the Image:

  1. Headline and Subheading:

    • The main headline emphasizes that Edward Forbes has been honored by Harvard University.
    • The subheading provides context, indicating that Forbes is from Naushon, Boston.
  2. Article Content:

    • The article mentions that Forbes will be named the Honor Professor at Harvard University's new Fogg Art Museum.
    • It details Forbes' career, including his role as the former director of the Fogg Art Museum and his contributions to art education and curation.
    • The article notes that Forbes was born on Naushon Island, south of Cape Cod, and has returned to the Cape for a simple ceremony.
  3. Photograph:

    • To the right of the article, there is a black-and-white photograph of Edward Forbes. He is depicted in formal attire, suggesting his professional and distinguished status.
    • Below the photograph, there is a caption that reads: "Edward W. Forbes."
  4. Additional Text:

    • The article includes details about the new plaza at Harvard Yard, named in honor of Forbes. It describes the plaza as a tricked park of grass and trees, connecting the Holzer Center for the Arts to the Fogg Art Museum.
    • The text also mentions Forbes' academic achievements, including his degrees from Harvard and his role as a trustee of the American Academy in Rome.
  5. Layout and Design:

    • The page is part of a newspaper clipping archive, as indicated by the header "AMERICAN PRESS CLIPPING BUREAU, INC." located at the top left.
    • The layout is typical of a newspaper page, with a clear separation between the headline, article text, and accompanying photograph.
  6. Additional Clipping Information:

    • The top left corner includes metadata about the clipping:
      • From: October 16, 1966
      • Location: Kansas City, Mo.
      • Clipping Number: E-32-32-23-582-463
    • This suggests the image is part of a historical archive or collection of press clippings.

Overall Impression:

The image captures a moment of recognition for Edward Forbes, showcasing his significant contributions to art and academia. The layout, photograph, and detailed article text provide a comprehensive view of Forbes' legacy and the honor bestowed upon him by Harvard University. The clipping format indicates that this is part of a preserved historical record.

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

This image shows a scrapbook or archival page with a collection of newspaper clippings. The main article is titled "Edward Forbes of Naushon, Boston Honored by Harvard University" and was published in the Sunday Standard-Times, dated October 16, 1966. The article describes Edward Forbes's contributions to Harvard and his recognition by the university. Below the main article is a small photograph of Edward W. Forbes.

Smaller clippings related to the event are pasted alongside the main article on the same page, potentially including further details or tangentially related news. The text is complemented by an image of what appears to be a Harvard University plaza or courtyard. The articles and visual elements are neatly arranged on a worn vintage scrapbook page, showing signs of aging. Red markings are visible, emphasizing portions of the text.

OpenAI, gpt-4

This image shows a newspaper clipping from the "Sunday Standard-Times" dated October 16, 1966. The main article is titled "Edward Forbes of Naushon, Boston Honored by Harvard University." Accompanying the article is a photograph of a building complex, most likely a campus view related to Harvard University. There are additional smaller articles and sections about art books and the American Press Clipping Bureau, Inc. The page seems aged with some yellowing and creasing, indicating it is a vintage document. There's also a small inset image, with a caption underneath, but it's not possible to provide detailed information about that without referencing the obscured part of the image.

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

This image shows a scrapbook page with three newspaper clippings related to art and art recognition.

  1. The large central clipping is a detailed article from the Sunday Standard-Times of New Bedford, Massachusetts, dated October 16, 1966, with the headline "Edward Forbes of Naushon, Boston Honored by Harvard University." The article discusses the dedication of a new plaza and arcade connecting Harvard Yard with the Harvard houses, named in honor of Edward Waldo Forbes, a retired director of the Fogg Art Museum. It highlights Forbes' life, career, contributions to art, and honors including honorary degrees and public recognitions. A small photograph of Edward W. Forbes is included in the bottom right of this article, along with a photo of the new plaza on Massachusetts Avenue.

  2. On the left side of the page, there are two smaller clippings. The upper clipping is from the American Press Clipping Bureau, Inc., dated October 16, 1966, labeled "Art Books." It features a piece about David Smith (1906-1965) by Jane Harrison Cone from the Fogg Art Museum, Harvard University. The text talks about Smith's pioneering in abstract sculpture and his work's qualities and influences.

  3. The scrapbook page has the header and cutoff markings suggesting that these clippings were collected and preserved as part of an archival or personal collection. The clippings are carefully affixed to the page, which exhibits some aging with a brownish tint.

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

  • A page from a scrapbook or album, covered with several old newspaper clippings attached to brown kraft paper.
  • The central, largest clipping has a bold headline: “Edward Forbes of Naushon, Boston Honored by Harvard University.” It includes a grayscale photo of a building/plaza and columns of small-print article text.
  • To the left and top, there are smaller clipped articles and notices, including a narrow vertical clipping and a small block with a date (Oct 16, 1966) and newspaper name information.
  • A tiny portrait with the caption “EDWARD W. FORBES” appears in the lower-right portion of the page.
  • The overall look is aged and yellowed, with the clippings arranged in a collage on a single brown page.
  • The subject matter appears to be a historical news item about Edward Forbes of Naushon, Boston, being honored by Harvard University.