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Fogg Art Museum Scrapbooks, February 1978-October 1982

ARCH.2003.37, Rendition: 808816

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The image shows an open book or newspaper with articles clipped in. The top article is from the "Boston Globe" dated January 27, 1982, with a headline that reads, "Al Lank is the pickiest packer in town." The article is written by Robert Taylor and discusses the work of Al Lank, an art handler. It includes a black-and-white photograph of Lank packing a painting into a shipping crate. The text describes Lank's meticulous approach to handling art, including his insurance policies and the care he takes to transport fragile items, such as a Giotto painting worth $5 that he insured by Lloyd's of London. The article is part of a section titled "Lives in the Arts."

Below this article, there is another clipping, dated February 26, 1982, from a different source. This clipping has the headline, "Committee Seeks Funds Needed for New Art Museum." It appears to be a news item about a fundraising effort for a new art museum, mentioning financial goals and the commitment of the Harvard Art Museums to support the project. The text is partially visible, but it seems to discuss the financial aspects and the scale of the fundraising effort.

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The image shows a scrapbook page with two newspaper clippings. The top clipping is from the Boston Globe, dated January 27, 1982, and is titled "Al Lank is the pickiest packer in town." It is written by Robert Taylor and discusses Ellsworth F. (Al) Lank, who specializes in the careful handling and transportation of art. The article includes a photograph of Al Lank packing a painting into its shipping crate, taken by Joseph Dennehy. The text describes Lank's meticulous approach to ensuring the safety of art during transit and his various experiences in the art handling business.

The bottom clipping is from a newspaper dated February 26, 1982, and is titled "Committee Seeks Funds Needed for New Art Museum." It discusses the Harvard Visiting Committee's efforts to raise funds for the construction of a new museum adjacent to the Fogg Art Museum. The article mentions the need to raise $3 million by March 15 and an additional $3 million over the next three years to support the operating expenses of the museums.

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This image shows an open book or a bound collection of newspaper clippings, resting on a flat, neutral gray surface. The left-hand page features a full-page newspaper article from the Boston Globe, dated January 27, 1982.


Article Details:

  • Headline:Al Lank is the pickiest packer in town
  • Section: “LIVES IN THE ARTS”
  • Byline: Robert Taylor, Globe Staff
  • Photo Caption: “Art handler Al Lank packs a painting into its shipping crate.” (Photo credit: Joseph Denney, Globe Photo)

Content Summary:

The article profiles Ellsworth F. (Al) Lank, a highly skilled and meticulous art handler based in Boston. It highlights his reputation for extraordinary care and expertise in packing and transporting delicate and valuable artworks.

Key points from the article:

  • Lank doesn't buy or sell art but is a crucial figure in the art world for his handling and shipping services.
  • He is described as a “peerless craftsman” who has moved everything from a 13th-century Florentine madonna to a 55-foot A. Leslie Ripley mural.
  • He once handled the physical installation of hundreds of museum and gallery shows, sometimes moving art pieces under the "eye of exhibition supervisors" and then taking them down and returning them.
  • His packing methods are extremely careful: he uses shock-proof foam-rubber, encases pieces, and for large or tricky items, builds custom shipping crates. He even packs a crate with “bags of peanuts” to cushion a 180-pound “Giotto” piece.
  • He has a “system of inventory” ensuring pieces are safe and standardized for the “Faces of Freedom” show.
  • His son, Mark, now specializes in long-haul art transportation.
  • LANK has handled works by artists including Morton Bradley, A. Leslie Ripley, and the artist who painted “Among the lot I brought you,” a watercolor Lank himself bought for $3500.
  • A side note mentions that Lank, who never wanted an art career, was once in business for himself, installing works at the Boston Arts Festival.

Visual Layout:

  • The article is formatted with three columns of text.
  • A black-and-white photograph is centered on the page, showing a man (presumably Al Lank) carefully packing a framed painting into a wooden crate.
  • At the bottom of the page, there is a separate, smaller article or announcement titled “Committee Seeks Funds Needed for New Art Museum”.
  • A handwritten note in pencil, “Gone the 21/25/82”, is scrawled vertically along the left margin of the page, likely indicating when this clipping was added to the binder.

Book / Binder Context:

  • The page is part of a bound volume, as indicated by the visible spine, binding, and surrounding pages.
  • The paper is aged and yellowed, consistent with its 1982 publication date.
  • The adjacent (right-hand) page shows the beginning of another article, possibly with large lettering (“AM... F...”) suggesting a different section or headline.

In essence, this image captures a historical newspaper profile of a highly respected art handler, preserved in a personal or institutional archive, offering a glimpse into the unsung but critical work behind art preservation and transportation.

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The image depicts an open book, likely a newspaper, with multiple pages visible. The book is placed on a gray surface, and the pages are slightly curled, indicating it has been handled frequently. The left page features an article titled "Al Lank is the pickiest packer in town," accompanied by a black-and-white photograph of a man standing next to a large object, possibly a piece of artwork or machinery. The right page contains another article, partially visible, with the heading "Committee Seeks Funds Needed for New Art Museum." The text is printed in a serif font, and the layout includes columns and headlines, typical of newspaper formatting. The book appears to be from a historical period, possibly the mid-20th century, based on the style of the text and the content of the articles.

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The image shows an open book with two pages. The left page has a headline that reads "Al Lank is the pickiest packer in town" and an article about Al Lank, an art handler. The right page has a headline that reads "Committee Seeks Funds Needed for New Art Museum." The pages have a yellow background and are slightly blurry. The image is in black and white.

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The image shows an open book with two visible pages, featuring an article titled "Al Lank is the pickiest packer in town" from the Boston Globe, dated January 27, 1982. The article is written by Robert Taylor and is categorized under "LIVES IN THE ARTS".

Left Page (Page 1):

  • Headline: "Al Lank is the pickiest packer in town"
  • Subheading: "LIVES IN THE ARTS"
  • Byline: By Robert Taylor, Globe Staff
  • Content: The article discusses Al Lank, an artist and art handler known for his meticulous approach to handling art. It highlights his career, including his work as an art handler, his involvement in transporting valuable artworks, and his unique methods. The text mentions Lank's role in moving large sculptures, his attention to detail, and his reputation as a "pickiest packer."
  • Visual Element: There is a black-and-white photograph placed within the text. The photo shows Al Lank handling a painting, packing it into a shipping crate. The image captures Lank in action, emphasizing his hands-on approach to art handling.

Right Page (Page 2):

  • Continuation of the Article: The text continues from the left page, elaborating further on Lank's career, his methods, and anecdotes about his work. It includes details about his early life, his move to Boston, and his involvement in transporting art for major institutions.
  • Visual Element: At the bottom of the right page, there is a small text box or advertisement titled "Committee Seeks Funds Needed for New Art Museum." This box appears to be a separate piece of content, likely an announcement or call to action related to a new art museum project. It includes details about the museum's goals, fundraising efforts, and contact information.

General Observations:

  • Layout: The article is formatted in a typical newspaper or magazine style, with justified text and a clear hierarchy of headings and subheadings.
  • Photograph: The photograph on the left page is central to the article's narrative, illustrating Lank's hands-on work and reinforcing the theme of meticulous art handling.
  • Additional Content: The right page includes a small, distinct section that seems unrelated to the main article, possibly an advertisement or announcement about a new art museum.

Overall, the image depicts a well-structured article that combines narrative storytelling with visual documentation, focusing on the unique career and methods of Al Lank, an art handler.

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

The image depicts a newspaper clipping from the Boston Globe, dated January 27, 1982, featuring an article titled "Al Lank is the pickiest packer in town." The article showcases a photograph of Al Lank packing a painting into its shipping crate. Additionally, the clipping includes a smaller article titled "Committee Seeks Funds Needed for New Art Museum" and another article with the title "A M F" partially visible.

The clipping is placed on top of a book or binder, which appears to be open to a page with other newspaper clippings. The background of the image is a plain gray color, suggesting that it may have been taken in a studio or office setting. Overall, the image provides a glimpse into the world of art and culture in Boston during the early 1980s, highlighting the importance of careful packing and handling of valuable artworks.

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

The image presents a newspaper clipping featuring an article about Al Lank, a renowned artist. The clipping is placed on a gray background, with the article's title, "Al Lank is the pickiest packer in town," prominently displayed at the top.

Here are the key elements of the image:

  • Newspaper Clipping
    • The clipping is from the Boston Globe, dated January 27, 1982.
    • It features a black-and-white photograph of Al Lank working on a painting.
    • The article discusses Al Lank's artistic style and his reputation as a meticulous packer.
  • Article Content
    • The article highlights Al Lank's unique approach to art, which involves using unconventional materials and techniques.
    • It also mentions his involvement in various art projects and exhibitions.
    • The article concludes by noting that Al Lank is a respected figure in the art community, known for his creativity and attention to detail.
  • Background
    • The background of the image is a solid gray color.
    • There are no other objects or features visible in the background.

In summary, the image showcases a newspaper clipping about Al Lank, an accomplished artist known for his distinctive style and meticulous approach to his craft. The article provides insight into Al Lank's artistic process and his contributions to the art world.

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

The image depicts an open book containing a newspaper clipping. The clipping is from the Boston Globe, dated January 27, 1982, and features an article titled "Al Lank is the pickiest packer in town" with a black-and-white photograph of a man packing a painting into a crate.

The article discusses Al Lank's work as an art handler, highlighting his attention to detail and expertise in preparing artworks for transportation. The clipping is yellowed with age and has been placed in a scrapbook or binder, suggesting that it was collected and preserved by someone interested in art or the history of the art world.

A second, smaller clipping is visible at the bottom of the page, partially obscured by the main clipping. It appears to be from a different publication and is dated March 26, 1982. The title of this article is "Funds Needed for New Art Museum Committee Seeks."

The background of the image is a plain gray color, which helps to focus attention on the clipping and the book. Overall, the image provides a glimpse into the world of art handling and the importance of careful preparation and preservation of artworks.

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

The image presents a scanned or photographed page from an open book, featuring two newspaper clippings. The top clipping is from the Boston Globe, dated January 27, 1982, with the headline "Al Lank is the pickiest packer in town." The article discusses Al Lank's work as an art handler and his meticulous approach to transporting valuable artworks.

Newspaper Clipping 1:

  • Headline: Al Lank is the pickiest packer in town
  • Date: January 27, 1982
  • Source: Boston Globe
  • Content: The article provides insight into Al Lank's profession as an art handler, highlighting his attention to detail and care when handling artworks.

The second clipping appears to be from a different publication, although the title is not fully visible. It mentions "Committee Seeks Funds Needed for New Art Museum."

Newspaper Clipping 2:

  • Headline: Committee Seeks Funds Needed for New Art Museum
  • Content: The clipping discusses a committee's efforts to secure funding for a new art museum, although the specific details are not provided due to the partial visibility of the text.

Both clippings are placed within the pages of a book, which has yellowed with age. The book is set against a gray background, suggesting that it may be part of a digital archive or a scanned collection of historical documents. Overall, the image provides a glimpse into the world of art handling and the preservation of cultural artifacts, as well as the efforts to establish new cultural institutions.