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Fogg Art Museum Scrapbooks, January 1966-May 1973

ARCH.2003.36, Rendition: 805257

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The image appears to be a page from a magazine or publication titled "The Connoisseur," dated February 1968, featuring an article on bronze sculptures from around the world. The article is authored by Mildred Housen and discusses an exhibition that showcased miniature bronze sculptures from various museums and private collections. The page includes two photographs of bronze sculptures:

  1. The first sculpture is a standing figure made in the Middle Minoan III to Late Minoan I period (circa 1600-1500 B.C.), with a height of 0.043 meters. It is described as a votive figure, possibly of provincial origin, standing in a gesture of adoration with a slightly backward bend and a raised right fist. The photograph is credited to Roy Trahan.

  2. The second sculpture is a water bird, attributed to the Thessalian or Macedonian region, dating to the late 8th century B.C. with a height of 0.068 meters. It is described as a votive offering from the "Geometric" period in Greece, with a hollow cast body, and a transverse suspension loop behind the neck, which would have allowed it to be suspended. The photograph is credited to O.E. Nelson.

The page also includes some standard information such as the publication's name and address, along with an indication of the page number (125). The overall layout suggests that this is part of a historical and cultural discussion about bronze art and its significance.

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

The image shows a page from a publication titled "Bronzes from the World," authored by Mildred Housen. The page features two photographs of ancient bronze artifacts.

  1. On the left side, there is a photograph of a bronze figurine of a standing man. The caption indicates that it is from the Middle Minoan III to Late Minoan I period, approximately 1600-1500 B.C. The figurine is described as being in the standard Minoan gesture of adoration, with its body bent slightly backward and its right fist raised to its forehead. It is noted that the summary treatment of the human form suggests it is a provincial version. The figurine is lent by Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Stafford and the photo is credited to Roy Trahan.

  2. On the right side, there is a photograph of a bronze water bird. The caption states that it is Thessalian or Macedonian, from the late 8th century B.C. The artifact is described as a humorous small bird, possibly a votive offering, produced during the 'Geometric' period in Greece. It is believed to have been suspended from trees, and the transverse suspension loop behind the bird’s neck would allow it to have been used similarly. The piece may have a hollow cast body, which is unusual for this early period in Greek art. It is lent by the Eric de Kolb Collection and the photo is credited to O. E. Nelson.

The text on the page discusses the significance of bronze artifacts, their historical context, and the exhibition details, including the dates and locations of the exhibition at various museums in the United States and Canada. The page is marked with some handwritten notes and a circled section, possibly for reference or emphasis.

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This image displays a vintage press clipping or article, likely from a publication called The Connoisseur, issued by the International Press-Cutting Bureau in London in February 1968. The clipping is on aged, yellowed paper and shows signs of wear and creasing.

Header and Attribution:

  • At the top left, the letterhead reads “INTERNATIONAL PRESS-CUTTING BUREAU, 184 STRAND, LONDON, W.C.2.”
  • Below that, it states: “Extract from THE CONNOISSEUR, LONDON” with the date “FEB 1968” typed and signed in ink by “David Mitten — Fogg.”
  • The main headline is partially visible: “...znes from the ...rld”, likely “Bronzes from the World,” with a sub-headline “Los Angeles” and bylined to “MILDRED HOUSEN.”

Main Article Text:
The text discusses a major exhibition of ancient bronze sculptures organized by art historian and curator David Mitten (then at the Fogg Museum) for American museums. The exhibition, featuring 316 objects from 79 museums and private collections across the U.S., Canada, and nine European countries, toured to institutions including the Saint Louis Art Museum (March 1–April 13) and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (May 8–June 30).

Key points from the article:

  • The exhibition focuses on miniature bronze sculpture from the Mediterranean world.
  • It emphasizes the lost-wax casting method, noting that because the original wax model was destroyed in casting, each bronze produced was unique.
  • The chronological scope spans 2,300 years, with a special emphasis on revolutionary breakthroughs in bronze production.

Illustrations and Captions:
Two black-and-white photographs are featured below the text.

  1. Left image (Caption 1): A small, stylized bronze figurine of a standing man.

    • Description: “Standing man, Middle Minoan III—Late Minoan I, c. 1600–1500 B.C. Height 0.043 m.”
    • Details: The figure stands in a traditional Minoan pose of adoration — body slightly bent backward, right fist raised to the forehead. The article notes the “summary treatment of the human form suggests that this is a provincial version.”
    • Provenance: Lent by Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Stafford.
    • Photo credit: Ray Trehan.
  2. Right image (Caption 2): A humorous, stylized bronze water bird (duck or goose) standing on a pedestal.

    • Description: “Water bird, Thessalian or Macedonian, late 8th century B.C. Height 0.068 m.”
    • Details: Described as “probably a votive offering” from the “Geometric” period in Greece. The bird has a transverse suspension loop behind its neck, suggesting it was hung (likely from trees), and may have a hollow cast body — unusual for early Greek art.
    • Provenance: Lent by the Eric de Kolb Collection.
    • Photo credit: O. E. Nelson.

Page Number:
The page number “125” is printed at the bottom right.

Overall, the clipping is a historical artifact documenting a significant 1968 exhibition of ancient bronzes, offering insight into mid-20th-century art historical presentation and scholarship, as well as the provenance and interpretation of these artifacts at the time. The handwritten signature of David Mitten adds a personal and archival dimension to the document.

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The image shows a page from a book or magazine, with two photographs of ancient bronze sculptures and text describing them. The page is slightly worn, with a yellow line drawn across it, possibly for emphasis or marking. The photographs depict a standing man and a water bird, both made of bronze. The text provides information about the sculptures' origins, techniques used, and historical significance.

Amazon, amazon.nova-lite-v1:0

The image shows a page from a magazine or publication titled "The Connoisseur" featuring an article about bronze artifacts. The article, titled "Bronzes from the World," discusses an exhibition of bronze artifacts held at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the Saint Louis Art Museum. The page includes a handwritten signature, possibly from the author or editor, and two images of bronze artifacts. The first image depicts a standing human figure, while the second image shows a water bird. The article provides details about the artifacts, their origins, and the techniques used to create them.

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

The image shows an open book or catalog page featuring two ancient bronze artifacts. The left page includes a handwritten note at the top, with the text "Extract from THE CONNOISSEUR LONDON" and a date of "FEB. 1968." Below the note, there is a photograph of a standing male figure, described as a "Standing man, Middle Minoan III–Late Minoan I, c. 1600–1500 B.C." The figure is small, with a slightly backward stance and raised arms, characteristic of Minoan art. The caption mentions that the figure is attributed to Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Stent and notes that its small size and posture suggest it may be a provincial version of the human form.

The right page contains text discussing bronze artifacts from the ancient world, specifically referencing an exhibition in Los Angeles. The text highlights the significance of bronze in ancient cultures, particularly the "lost wax" method used by Greek artists. Below the text, there is a photograph of a water bird, identified as "Water bird. Thessalian or Macedonian, late 8th century B.C." The bird is depicted in a stylized, elongated form, with a long neck and a distinctive posture. The caption explains that this bird is likely a votive offering and may have been suspended from trees, noting its unique hollow cast body and the possibility of a transverse suspension loop.

The overall layout combines historical context, detailed descriptions, and visual representations of ancient bronze artifacts, emphasizing their artistic and cultural significance. The page number "125" is visible at the bottom right corner of the right page.

Meta, us.meta.llama3-2-90b-instruct-v1:0

The image depicts an open book with a page featuring two photographs of ancient artifacts. The left photograph shows a bronze figure of a man, while the right photograph displays a bronze bird. The text on the page appears to be an article about the exhibition "Bronzes from the World" at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, which took place from March 1 to April 13 and then moved to the museum from May 1 to June 30.

The article discusses the significance of the exhibition, which features a vast and heterogeneous array of objects created for intimate pleasure by skilled artisans in every corner of the Mediterranean world. The exhibition includes 316 treasures that will cover the production of 2,300 years, with special emphasis on the revolutionary breakthrough of the Geometric period in Greece. Similar objects are believed to have been suspended from trees, and the transverse suspension loop just behind this bird's neck would allow it to have been used similarly. The pieces may have a hollow cast body, very unusual at this early period in Greek art.

The article also mentions that the exhibition is organized by the Greeks for both solid and hollow casting, predominates. Since the wax original was irrevocably lost, each bronze made in this manner is unique. Chronologically, the show covers the production of 2,300 years, with special emphasis on the revolutionary breakthrough of the Geometric period in Greece. Similar objects are believed to have been suspended from trees, and the transverse suspension loop just behind this bird's neck would allow it to have been used similarly. The pieces may have a hollow cast body, very unusual at this early period in Greek art.

Overall, the image provides a glimpse into the world of ancient art and culture, highlighting the significance of the "Bronzes from the World" exhibition and the unique characteristics of the artifacts on display.

Meta, us.meta.llama3-2-11b-instruct-v1:0

The image depicts a page from a book or magazine featuring an article about bronze artifacts from around the world, specifically focusing on pieces from Los Angeles.

  • Title and Author
    • The title of the article is "Bronzes from the World" by Mildred Housen.
    • The author's name is displayed prominently at the top right of the page.
  • Image and Description
    • The page features two black-and-white photographs of bronze artifacts.
    • The first photograph shows a standing man figure, while the second photograph displays a water bird.
    • A detailed description of each artifact is provided below the corresponding photograph.
  • Publication Information
    • The publication is identified as "The Connoisseur" from London.
    • The date of the publication is February 1968.
    • The page number is indicated as 125.
  • Additional Text
    • The article includes additional text that provides context and information about the bronze artifacts.
    • The text is written in a formal and informative tone, suggesting that the article is intended for an audience interested in art history and archaeology.

In summary, the image presents a page from a publication about bronze artifacts from around the world, focusing on pieces from Los Angeles. The page features two photographs of artifacts, accompanied by detailed descriptions, and includes publication information and additional text that provides context and information about the artifacts.

Meta, us.meta.llama4-maverick-17b-instruct-v1:0

The image is a scanned or photographed page from an art catalog or magazine, featuring two ancient bronze sculptures. The page is open to reveal a spread with text on the right-hand side and images on both sides.

Left Page:

  • A clipping from "The Connoisseur London" is attached to the top-left corner, dated February 1968.
  • Below the clipping is a black-and-white photograph of a bronze statue of a man with his right arm raised above his head.
  • The statue appears to be an ancient artifact, possibly from the Mediterranean region.

Right Page:

  • The title "Bronzes from the World" is visible at the top, although partially cut off.
  • The author's name, "Mildred Housen," is printed below the title.
  • A paragraph of text describes an exhibition of miniature bronze sculptures from various museums and private collectors.
  • Below the text is another black-and-white photograph of a bronze sculpture depicting a bird with a long neck and beak.
  • The caption below the image provides information about the sculpture, including its origin, date, and dimensions.

Overall:

  • The image suggests that the catalog or magazine is focused on showcasing ancient art and artifacts, particularly bronze sculptures.
  • The inclusion of a clipping from "The Connoisseur London" implies that the publication is a reputable source for art enthusiasts and collectors.
  • The use of black-and-white photographs adds a sense of nostalgia and timelessness to the image, highlighting the enduring appeal of ancient art.

Meta, us.meta.llama4-scout-17b-instruct-v1:0

The image presents a vintage newspaper clipping from "The Connoisseur" London, dated February 1968. The clipping is titled "Treasures from the Ancient World" and features two black-and-white photographs of ancient artifacts.

Newspaper Clipping Details:

  • Title: Treasures from the Ancient World
  • Source: The Connoisseur, London
  • Date: February 1968
  • Author: Mildred Housen

Photographs and Artifact Descriptions:

  • Left Photograph:
    • Artifact: Standing man
    • Period: Middle Minoan III - Late Minoan I, circa 1600-1500 B.C.
    • Height: 0.043 m
    • Lender: Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Stafford
    • Description: A small votive figure standing in the standard Minoan gesture of adoration, with his body bent slightly backward and his right fist raised to his forehead.
  • Right Photograph:
    • Artifact: Water bird
    • Period: Thessalian or Macedonian, late 8th century B.C.
    • Height: 0.098 m
    • Lender: Ernie de Kelek Collection
    • Description: A humorous small bird probably a votive offering, produced during the 'Geometric' period in Greece.

Additional Information:

  • The clipping includes a note that reads "David Hosen - Fogg" in handwriting.
  • The background of the image is a plain gray color.