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Fogg Art Museum Scrapbooks, February 1978-October 1982

ARCH.2003.37, Rendition: 808713

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The image shows an open book or magazine with two main sections.

The upper section appears to be a newspaper article discussing an art exhibition titled "Song of the Brush." The article is written by Kenneth Baker and focuses on Japanese paintings at the Fogg Museum. It includes an illustration of a Japanese painting, which depicts a rice threshing mill. The article provides context about the exhibition, the artworks, and their significance, discussing the works' formal aspects and the cultural and historical context in which they were created. The article also mentions the exhibition's catalog and the contributions of scholars like John Rosenfield.

The lower section contains two smaller articles. The left article is titled "not the bum he was" and discusses the perception of the Greek god Dionysus, particularly as depicted in a special exhibition at Harvard University's Fogg Art Museum. The article quotes Caroline Houser, an assistant professor of art at Smith College, who organized the exhibition. The right article is titled "Happily Thickens Alfred Hitchcock" and is a brief piece about the renowned film director Alfred Hitchcock, likely related to a discussion about his work or a personal anecdote. Both articles are accompanied by a date, "Dec 31, 1979," and seem to be excerpts from different sources.

The book or magazine has yellowed pages, suggesting it is an older publication, and there are some visible stains and marks on the pages, indicating wear or age. A piece of brown paper tape is visible at the top of the upper section, possibly used for securing the page in the book.

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This image appears to be a page from a scrapbook or collection of newspaper clippings. The top half of the page features an article titled "A brush with eternity: Japanese paintings at the Fogg," written by Kenneth Baker. The article discusses an exhibition of Japanese painting at Harvard's Fogg Museum. There is an image included in the article, which is labeled as "Hakuin Ekaku's 'Rice Threshing Mill'."

Below the article, there are two additional clippings. The left clipping is titled "not the bum imed he was" and discusses Dionysos, challenging the common portrayal of him as a wino and wench-chaser. The right clipping is titled "Happily Thickens Alfred Hitchcock" and appears to be about the film director Alfred Hitchcock, mentioning how he redeemed himself and cared about people. The clippings are glued onto a yellowish page, and there is some wear and tear visible at the top of the page. The date "Dec 31, 1979" is handwritten on the right clipping.

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This image displays an open, aged scrapbook or clipping album with two pages visible. The pages are yellowed with age, and the top of the right-hand page shows some damage or tearing, with a small piece of what looks like dried glue or tape visible.

Left Page:
The left page features a newspaper article titled:

Art
A brush with eternity
Japanese paintings at the Fogg
by Kenneth Baker

The article discusses an exhibition of Japanese painting at Harvard's Fogg Museum, focusing on the work of the Zen painter Hakuin Ekaku (1686–1768). It analyzes the painting "Rice Threshing Mill," reproduced as a grayscale image within the article. The piece explores the paradox of Zen art — its emphasis on spontaneous, uncontrolled brushwork ("Song of the Brush") — and how this relates to the underlying discipline and technique required. The text critiques Western interpretations of these works and highlights the importance of understanding the cultural and philosophical context.

Beneath the article text, there is a small, narrow clipping of another article titled “CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (AP)” which discusses Dionysos, the Greek god, and an exhibition at Harvard’s Fogg Art Museum. It quotes Professor Caroline Houser and includes details about the god’s portrayal and a quote from a scholar, Prof. Houser.

Right Page:
The right page is mostly filled by the continuation of Kennedy Baker’s article. The grayscale reproduction of Hakuin Ekaku’s "Rice Threshing Mill" is situated in the upper-right portion. The article text continues to discuss the Zen aesthetic, technique, and Western misinterpretations, with phrases like “Song of the Brush” and “The Four Gentlemen” (referring to plum blossom, bamboo, orchid, and chrysanthemum).

At the bottom of the right-hand page, there is a separate, rectangular newspaper clipping. Its headline is:

not the bum imed he was

Below that are the words:

Happily Thichens
Alfred Hitchcock

A handwritten note, likely in pencil, appears next to it, reading:

All Tribune
Dec 31, 1979

The scrapbook’s pages are held together at the spine on the left. The entire composition suggests a personal collection of newspaper clippings, likely curated for art and cultural commentary, with a focus on art criticism and historical perspectives on figures like Dionysos and Alfred Hitchcock. The date “Dec 31, 1979” anchors the collection in a specific moment in history, suggesting this scrapbook has a personal, archival character.

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The image depicts a page from an old newspaper with several articles and clippings pasted onto it. The articles are related to Japanese art and culture, specifically focusing on Japanese paintings. One of the articles is titled "Art: A brush with eternity Japanese paintings at the Fogg." It features a photograph of a Japanese painting, along with text discussing the significance and beauty of Japanese art. Another article, titled "not the bum imed he was," discusses the life and work of a Japanese artist. The page also includes other articles and clippings, indicating a collection of materials related to Japanese art and culture.

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The image shows an open book with a newspaper clipping pasted on one of its pages. The clipping is about an art exhibition at Harvard's Fogg Museum. The title of the clipping is "A Brush with Eternity: Japanese Paintings at the Fogg." The clipping has a picture of a Japanese painting and some text about the exhibition. The book has a yellow cover and a black spine. The page with the clipping is folded in half, and the other page has a white cover.

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The image shows an open book with two pages visible. The left page is titled "Art A brush with eternity: Japanese paintings at the Fogg" by Kenneth Baker. The article discusses an exhibition of Japanese art at the Fogg Art Museum, focusing on the works of the artist Hakuin Ekaku (1685–1768). It explores themes of abstraction, spirituality, and the intersection of art and Zen philosophy, highlighting the artist's use of minimalistic forms and symbolic imagery. The text delves into the historical and cultural context of Hakuin's work, emphasizing its significance in the evolution of Japanese art and its influence on contemporary perceptions of abstraction.

The right page features an article titled "not the bummed he was", which appears to be a review or commentary on a performance or exhibition. The content references a figure named Diotyma, who is described as a "bum" and is linked to classical themes, such as the Greek goddess Dionysos and the concept of human sensuousness. The article discusses Diotyma's role in a performance or event, possibly at Harvard University, and touches on themes of art, nature, and human experience. There is also a mention of an exhibit at the Fogg Art Museum, referencing the same institution as the left page.

The book itself has a worn appearance, with visible creases and a slightly damaged spine, suggesting it is an older or well-used volume. The layout includes text, illustrations (such as a small image of a painting on the left page), and marginal notes or annotations, indicating it may be a scholarly or art-focused publication. The overall design and content suggest a focus on art criticism, cultural analysis, and historical commentary.

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The image shows a page from a scrapbook or photo album, featuring a newspaper clipping about Japanese paintings at the Fogg Museum. The clipping is pasted on a page with other clippings and notes, and it includes a drawing of a painting of a person holding a staff.

  • Newspaper Clipping:
    • The clipping is titled "Art A brush with eternity" and features an article about Japanese paintings at the Fogg Museum.
    • The article discusses the exhibition of Japanese paintings at the Fogg Museum, which includes works by artists such as Hokusai and Hiroshige.
    • The article highlights the unique style and technique of Japanese painting, which is characterized by bold lines, vibrant colors, and intricate details.
    • The clipping also includes a drawing of a painting of a person holding a staff, which is likely one of the works featured in the exhibition.
  • Other Clippings and Notes:
    • The page also features other clippings and notes, including a quote from a book about art and a note about a person's favorite artist.
    • The clippings and notes are arranged in a collage-like fashion, with some overlapping or covering each other.
    • The overall effect is one of a personal and eclectic collection of art-related materials.

In summary, the image shows a page from a scrapbook or photo album that features a newspaper clipping about Japanese paintings at the Fogg Museum, along with other clippings and notes about art. The clipping highlights the unique style and technique of Japanese painting, while the other materials provide additional context and insights into the world of art.

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The image presents a worn, yellowed scrapbook page featuring two newspaper clippings and a handwritten note. The page is open to reveal the contents, which are as follows:

  • Newspaper Clipping 1:
    • Title: "Art A brush with eternity Japanese paintings at the Fogg"
    • Author: Kenneth Baker
    • Content: The article discusses an exhibition of Japanese paintings at the Fogg Museum, highlighting their unique characteristics and the artist's use of brushwork.
  • Newspaper Clipping 2:
    • Title: "not the bum imed he was"
    • Content: The article appears to be a review or obituary for an artist, but the text is partially obscured, making it difficult to discern the specific details.
  • Handwritten Note:
    • Date: December 31, 1979
    • Content: The note is a personal reflection on the artist Alfred Hitchcock, discussing his life and work.

The scrapbook page is set against a gray background, suggesting that it may be a product photo or a scanned image. Overall, the image provides a glimpse into the contents of the scrapbook, showcasing a mix of art criticism, artist profiles, and personal reflections.

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The image presents a scanned or photographed page from a book or scrapbook, featuring a collection of newspaper clippings. The page is open to reveal two columns of text and images.

Newspaper Clippings:

  • The top clipping is titled "Art A brush with eternity" and discusses Japanese paintings at the Fogg.
  • The bottom-left clipping is titled "not the bum imed he was" and appears to be an article about a person named Alfred Hitchcock.
  • The bottom-right clipping is a handwritten note that reads "Happily Thickens Alfred Hitchcock."

Page Details:

  • The page has yellowed with age and features a black cover on the right side.
  • A piece of tape holds the page together at the top.
  • The background of the image is a plain gray color.

Overall:

The image provides a glimpse into a collection of newspaper clippings and handwritten notes, likely gathered by someone interested in art, history, or popular culture. The use of a scrapbook or book to store these clippings suggests that the collector valued these articles and wanted to preserve them for future reference.

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The image presents a collection of newspaper clippings, featuring an article about Japanese paintings at the Fogg Museum. The article is titled "A brush with eternity" and includes a photograph of a painting by Hakuin Ekaku, titled "Rice Threshing Mill." The article discusses the exhibition of Japanese paintings at the Fogg Museum, which showcases the work of various artists, including Hakuin Ekaku.

The article also mentions that the exhibition is part of a larger series of exhibitions on Japanese art, which aims to promote a better understanding of Japanese culture and its artistic traditions. The article concludes by highlighting the significance of the exhibition and its potential impact on the audience.

In addition to the article, the image also includes a handwritten note dated December 31, 1974, which appears to be a personal reflection or comment on the exhibition. The note is written in a casual tone and expresses the writer's appreciation for the beauty and simplicity of the Japanese paintings.

Overall, the image provides a glimpse into the world of Japanese art and culture, highlighting the importance of promoting cross-cultural understanding and appreciation. The article and the handwritten note work together to create a sense of intimacy and connection between the viewer and the artwork, inviting the reader to explore the world of Japanese art and its many wonders.