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Fogg Art Museum Scrapbook, May 1973-March 1978

ARCH.2003.39, Rendition: 806555

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The image appears to be a page from a newspaper, specifically "The Christian Science Monitor," dated Wednesday, May 8, 1974, from page 4C. The headline reads, "Will the Busch oust German art?" The article discusses the potential shift in the Busch-Reisinger Museum at Harvard University from being a 70-year specialist museum focused on German art to being re-purposed as a space for contemporary art exhibitions.

The text mentions that the museum is facing scrutiny as it marks its 70th anniversary, with the controversy stemming from concerns about the museum's future as the only institution outside of Germany exclusively dedicated to the development of German and related northern European art. The article highlights opposition from Harvard faculty, students, the German community in New England, and members of the museum itself.

A photograph of the Harvard Germanic center is included, and there are excerpts from letters of protest sent to Harvard President Derek C. Bok, urging the continuation of the museum's focus on German art. The article also cites opinions from scholars like Charles L. Kuhn, emphasizing the importance of preserving the museum's significant art collection.

At the bottom of the page, there is a form for a savings certificate, partially visible, which might suggest the image has been cut from a larger document or publication.

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This image is a scanned newspaper clipping placed on a beige folder or paper background. The clipping is from "The Christian Science Monitor," dated Wednesday, May 8, 1974, and is labeled as section 4C "arts/entertainment."

The headline of the article reads, "Will the Busch oust German art? Museum has been 70-year specialist," written by Caron Le Brun Danikian. The article discusses the potential shift in focus of the Busch-Reisinger Museum at Harvard University from Germanic art to contemporary art exhibitions. It mentions the museum's 70th anniversary and the debate surrounding its future direction.

There is a photograph in the article showing a building labeled "Harvard's Germanic center," which features a domed structure with steps leading up to the entrance.

The article is followed by an advertisement at the bottom, partially visible, with the text "Dile Your mon" and some other details about a purchase of Suffolk County Savings Certificates. The advertisement is bordered with dashed lines.

The clipping is slightly worn and has a pink binding or edge on the right side. There are two punch holes on the left side of the clipping, suggesting it was placed in a binder or folder.

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This image shows a clipped newspaper article from The Christian Science Monitor, dated Wednesday, May 8, 1974, from page 4C in the "arts/entertainment" section.

The article is titled:

"Will the Busch oust German art?"

with the sub-headline:

"Museum has been 70-year specialist"

It is written by Caron Le Brun Danlikian.


Summary of the Article:

The article discusses a controversy at Harvard University surrounding its Busch-Reisinger Museum, which was celebrating its 70th anniversary. The museum is noted as the only institution outside Germany exclusively devoted to German and related Northern European art.

The central question is whether the museum’s mission — to focus on Germanic art — will be compromised by a proposed plan to turn it into an exhibition space for “heterogeneous contemporary art.” This proposal arose partly because of a lack of exhibition space in Harvard’s other museums.

The article highlights strong opposition from faculty, students, graduate students, art professionals, and the German community in New England. A preliminary subcommittee report had already recommended redirecting the museum’s focus toward contemporary art.

Charles L. Kuhn, the museum’s curator since 1931 and instrumental in building its collection, is quoted as saying the museum should remain dedicated to its original purpose — to serve as “a museum of all periods of central European art — Alsatian, Swiss, Austrian, and Netherlandish as well as German.” He emphasizes that the building's architecture reflects its Germanic character and that the university owes it to its students to preserve this “highly viable collection.”

The article concludes that changes are needed for the museum to succeed, but it should retain its financial and administrative support and advance its founding principles — which, at the time of the article, were described as “floundering.”


Visual Elements:

  • A black-and-white photograph of the museum building is included, captioned: “Harvard’s Germanic center.” The building features classical architecture with columns, a central pediment, and a dome-like feature atop the roof. Trees and steps lead to the entrance.
  • At the bottom of the clipping, part of a donation order form from The Christian Science Monitor is visible, with instructions to mail in contributions using a check or money order.
  • The article is mounted on a light brown, paper-like backing with two punched holes on the left edge — suggesting it was stored in a binder or file.

Contextual Note:

This article reflects mid-20th century debates in academia and museums over preserving specialized collections versus adapting to contemporary artistic trends and space constraints. The Busch-Reisinger Museum later merged with the Fogg Museum and the Arthur M. Sackler Museum to form the Harvard Art Museums in 2008 — a move that both preserved and reconfigured its mission.

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The image is a newspaper clipping from "The Christian Science Monitor" dated May 8, 1974. The clipping features an article titled "Will the Busch oust German art?" which discusses the future of the Busch-Reisinger Museum at Harvard University. The museum, founded 70 years ago by German patrons as a distinctive center for Germanic art, is facing the possibility of being turned into an exhibition space for heterogenous contemporary art exhibitions.

The article highlights the opposition from Harvard faculty members and the German community in New York, who are concerned about the museum's future. The opposition is led by Mr. Robbins, a curator at the museum, who has expressed his views on the situation. The article also mentions that the museum's building, with its unique architectural character, is a significant asset that should be preserved.

The clipping includes a photograph of Harvard's Germanic center, showcasing the building's architecture. The article emphasizes the importance of the museum as a center for European art, particularly German, Austrian, and Netherlandish art, and its role in protecting and showcasing a highly viable collection. The museum's future is uncertain, and the article concludes with a hope that it will remain a vital institution for the study and appreciation of Germanic art.

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A piece of paper is attached to a folder, which seems to be a clipping from a newspaper. The newspaper clipping has a title that reads "Will the Busch oust German art?" and a photograph of a building with a tree in front of it. There is a text that reads "Harvard's Germanic center" below the photograph. There is also another piece of paper with a text that reads "YOUR NAME NOW" on it.

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The image is a scanned page from The Christian Science Monitor, dated Wednesday, May 8, 1974, under the Arts/Entertainment section. The headline prominently reads: "Will the Busch oust German art?" Below the headline, the subheading states: "Museum has been 70-year specialist", followed by the byline: "By Carol Le Brun Dankian".

Content Overview:

The article discusses the Busch-Reisinger Museum at Harvard University, which is described as a distinctive center for German and related Northern European art. The museum is undergoing a review as it marks its 70th anniversary on May 8, 1974, and is considering whether to shift its focus from its original purpose as a center for German art to a broader exhibition space for contemporary art exhibitions.

Key Points:

  1. Historical Context:

    • The Busch-Reisinger Museum was founded by patrons of Harvard University to serve as a center for German art.
    • It is the only institution outside of Germany dedicated to the study and display of German and related Northern European art.
  2. Current Debate:

    • The museum is facing a 70-year review, questioning whether it should continue its traditional focus on German art or pivot toward contemporary art.
    • The shift is partly due to financial and space problems at Harvard, as well as the shock of many Harvard faculty members and students in the German art community regarding the potential change.
  3. Opposition:

    • There is firm opposition to the proposed change, particularly from the German art community in New England and those directly associated with the museum.
    • Critics argue that the Busch-Reisinger Museum has achieved and maintained its prominence as the largest collection of German art outside of Germany.
    • The museum is seen as a vital resource for scholars and students of German art, and any shift away from its core mission is met with resistance.
  4. Architectural and Financial Concerns:

    • The museum's building is noted for its unique architecture, and some believe it reflects the character of the collection it houses.
    • The article mentions that the museum needs someone to administer it, bring in financial support, and advance its principles, indicating concerns about its sustainability and future direction.
  5. Visual Element:

    • To the right of the article, there is a black-and-white photograph of the Busch-Reisinger Museum building. The building appears to be a historic structure with a prominent tower, reflecting its architectural significance.

Footer:

At the bottom of the page, there is a partially visible footer with the text: "Christian Science Monitor", indicating the source of the article.

Overall Impression:

The image captures a moment of cultural and institutional debate regarding the future direction of a significant museum dedicated to German art. The article highlights the tension between preserving a specialized collection and adapting to broader contemporary art trends, while also addressing practical concerns about funding and space. The inclusion of the museum's photograph adds a visual representation of the institution at the center of the discussion.

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The image depicts a newspaper clipping from "The Christian Science Monitor" dated Wednesday, May 8, 1974, featuring an article titled "Will the Busch-Oust German Art?" The article discusses the potential relocation of the Busch-Reisinger Museum at Harvard University, which is dedicated to Germanic art. The article highlights the museum's unique collection and its importance to the field of art education. It also mentions the opposition to the museum's relocation and the efforts of its supporters to preserve its current location.

The clipping includes a photograph of the museum's Germanic center, which is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The article is written in a formal tone and provides a detailed account of the situation surrounding the museum's potential relocation. Overall, the image provides a snapshot of the controversy surrounding the Busch-Reisinger Museum and its significance to the art community.

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The image depicts a newspaper clipping from "The Christian Science Monitor" dated Wednesday, May 8, 1974. The clipping is titled "Will the Busch oust German art?" and features a black-and-white photograph of a building with a tower.

  • The clipping is placed on a brown folder or sheet of paper, which has two holes punched in it.
  • The clipping is from the "arts/entertainment" section of the newspaper.
  • The article discusses the Busch-Reisinger Museum at Harvard University and its potential shift in focus from Germanic art to more contemporary art exhibitions.
  • The article includes quotes from various individuals, including Mr. Robbins, Charles L. Kuhn, and others, who express their opinions on the matter.
  • The clipping also includes a section titled "Firm opposition" that highlights the concerns of some individuals regarding the potential change in the museum's focus.
  • The overall tone of the article appears to be one of debate and discussion, with different perspectives presented on the issue.

In summary, the image shows a newspaper clipping from 1974 that discusses the potential change in focus of the Busch-Reisinger Museum at Harvard University, with various individuals expressing their opinions on the matter.

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The image depicts a scanned or photographed page from a binder, featuring an article from "THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR" dated Wednesday, May 8, 1974. The article is titled "Will the Busch oust German art?" and discusses the potential changes to the Busch-Reisinger Museum at Harvard University.

Article Details:

  • Title: Will the Busch oust German art?
  • Newspaper: THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR
  • Date: Wednesday, May 8, 1974
  • Section: arts/entertainment
  • Page Number: 4C

Article Content:

The article explores the possibility of the Busch-Reisinger Museum shifting its focus away from Germanic art, which has been its primary area of specialization for 70 years. The author, Caron Le Brun Daniklan, raises questions about the museum's future direction and whether it will remain true to its original purpose.

Visual Elements:

  • A black-and-white photograph of the Harvard's Germanic center is included in the article.
  • The page has two holes punched on the left side, indicating that it was once part of a binder.
  • A partially visible advertisement or coupon is placed below the article, with the words "Make your move" visible.

Background:

  • The background of the image is a plain gray color, suggesting that it may have been scanned or photographed against a neutral backdrop.

Overall, the image provides a snapshot of a specific moment in time, highlighting the concerns and debates surrounding the Busch-Reisinger Museum's future direction.

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The image depicts a newspaper clipping featuring an article titled "Will the Busch oust German art?" The clipping is from The Christian Science Monitor, dated Wednesday, May 8, 1974. The article discusses the potential impact of the Busch-Reisinger Museum at Harvard University on the exhibition of German art.

Key Points:

  • Title and Date: The title "Will the Busch oust German art?" is prominently displayed, along with the date "Wednesday, May 8, 1974."
  • Newspaper Source: The clipping is from The Christian Science Monitor.
  • Article Content: The article explores the potential consequences of the Busch-Reisinger Museum's presence on the exhibition of German art.
  • Visual Elements: A black-and-white photograph of the museum's exterior is included, providing a visual representation of the institution.
  • Additional Text: A section of text below the article appears to be unrelated to the main topic, suggesting that it may be a separate article or advertisement.
  • Background: The clipping is placed on a beige background, which could be a piece of paper or cardboard.

Overall, the image presents a historical newspaper clipping that provides insight into the discussion surrounding the Busch-Reisinger Museum's potential impact on German art exhibitions in the 1970s.