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ARCH.2003.39, Rendition: 806562
This image is a newspaper article from the "Section Two" of a newspaper dated May 21, 1974. The article is titled "Photography: Early Death at the Fogg" and is written by Clif Garboden. The article discusses the Harvard University's Fogg Art Museum's interest in photography and its exhibits, particularly focusing on a short-lived photographic exhibit. It mentions the impact of photography on cultural cohesion and the significance of historical exhibits in understanding the past. The article also features a sketch-like illustration titled "Photo of a gone world." The illustration appears to depict two figures, one standing and one seated, with a somewhat somber or reflective expression.
This image is a scanned page from a newspaper or magazine dated May 21, 1974, and is part of Section Two, Page Sixteen. The article is titled "Photography: Early Death at the Fogg" and is written by Clif Garboden. The article discusses the Harvard University Fogg Art Museum and its photography exhibits.
The main focus of the article is the museum's photography collection and its historical significance, particularly in the context of the development of photography in the 19th century. The author criticizes the museum's management for prematurely closing exhibits, such as the "Photographic Portraits of the Nineteenth Century" exhibit, which he believes warranted more time and attention.
The article also includes a photograph of two individuals, with the caption "Photo of a gone world," which appears to be from the 19th century. The photograph is described as having a strikingly unique casual portrait of Mark Twain standing in a rustic front porch setting.
The text discusses the impact of early photography on society, the cultural revolution it brought about, and the fascination with old photographs. It also mentions the technical aspects of early photography and how it has evolved over time.
Overall, the article is a critical review of the photography exhibits at the Harvard University Fogg Art Museum, highlighting the importance of preserving and displaying historical photographs for their cultural and artistic value.
This image is a photograph of a newspaper clipping, specifically page sixteen of the Boston Globe, dated May 21, 1974, from Section Two.
The article is a critical review titled:
Photography: Early Death at the Fogg
It is written by Clif Garboden.
The piece critiques a photography exhibition titled “Photographic Portraits of the Nineteenth Century” held at Harvard University’s Fogg Art Museum.
Garboden begins by acknowledging the Fogg’s many virtues—the building’s architecture, its court yard, and its longstanding role in nurturing photographic interest—but he uses the review to deliver a “negative point” about the museum’s management and curation of the exhibition.
Premature Closure: The exhibit was taken down after only thirteen days, before it had a chance to be seen by the public. Garboden suggests this was politically motivated, tied to the fact that the exhibit was compiled by students from “Fine Arts 20” — a course called “A History of Photography” — and that the university administration may have feared the student-curated show would overshadow or “outpower” its own “pedestrian Harvardesque title.”
Historical Value: Despite its short run, Garboden calls it an “excellent historical exhibit,” featuring rare and fascinating portraits of figures like Victor Hugo, George Sand, Mark Twain, Susan B. Anthony, Sarah Bernhardt, and Otto Bismarck — many of whom were not widely known in photographic form at the time. He notes a particularly striking portrait of Twain.
The Power of the Old Photograph: The review highlights the emotional and historical power of early photography — “the frozen second, captured gesture and pseudo-immortality all stemming undeniable from the transient interplay of light on tangible reality.” He points out how these images provide a visceral, “living reality” that connects the viewer across time, especially with the haunting example of Victor Hugo.
The Limits of Photography Then: Garboden explains that mid-19th-century photography — largely based on the daguerreotype — was technically primitive and required long exposure times. It was not merely “another new toy,” but rather part of a profound cultural and intellectual revolution that affected how people perceived memory, truth, and documentation.
Nostalgia for the “Real”: He discusses how the “built-in fascination with old photographs” stems from their imperfections and materiality — they aren’t about perfect replication, but about “gasping in reverence before the icons of our ancestral heroes.” He laments that modern viewers are so used to instantaneous, flawless photography that they’ve lost touch with the awe early viewers felt.
The Exhibition’s Legacy: Garboden concludes by noting the poignancy of the exhibit’s “early death,” calling it a “photo of a gone world” — not just of the subjects, but of a time when photography was a radical, wondrous, and culturally transformative technology.
Image: A small, captioned photograph is embedded in the right column, beneath a sub-heading that reads “Photo of a gone world.” The image is a grainy, monochrome portrait of Victor Hugo, seated, possibly in his later years, with a hand raised to his chin. It’s a reproduction of an early photograph, fitting the theme of the article.
Layout: The article is typeset in traditional newspaper columns with a serif font. The headline is in a larger, bold, slightly stylized font, while the byline and body are in standard newsprint typography. There are no other illustrations or graphics beyond the single portrait.
Garboden’s tone is witty, critical, and deeply nostalgic. He writes not just as a reviewer, but as a cultural commentator, reflecting on the role of photography in memory, history, and artistic legitimacy. The article functions both as a lament for a prematurely shuttered show and as a broader meditation on the “early death” of the wonder and authenticity that early photography once embodied.
In essence, the article is a eulogy for a vanished cultural moment — the time when photography first captured reality, and the time when a student-curated show at Harvard dared to challenge the institutional canon — before both were quietly extinguished.
The image is a photograph of a page from a magazine or newspaper, featuring an article titled "Photography: Early Death at the Fogg." The article is written by Cliff Garboden and discusses the Fogg Art Museum at Harvard University, focusing on its photography collection and the historical context of early photography.
The article is divided into several sections with subheadings and paragraphs, and it includes a black-and-white photograph captioned "Photo of a gone world." The photograph depicts a person with a serious expression, standing in front of a window, with a blurred background that suggests a historical setting.
The text discusses the museum's collection, highlighting the significance of early photographs and the technical advancements in photography. It mentions the Daguerreotype, a pioneering photographic process, and the impact of photography on society and art. The article also touches on the challenges of preserving and displaying early photographs, as well as the role of photography in documenting history and culture.
The layout of the page is typical of a magazine or newspaper, with a clean and organized design. The text is in a serif font, and the photograph is centered on the page, with the caption below it. The article is accompanied by a headline and byline, indicating the author and the publication date.
Overall, the image provides a glimpse into the world of early photography and the role of museums in preserving and showcasing this important art form.
The image is a page from a newspaper featuring an article titled "Photography: Early Death at the Fogg." The article discusses the Harvard University's Fogg Art Museum and its exhibition of early photography. The text highlights the museum's popularity for its ability to capture the transient nature of light and its role in providing a tangible experience of photography's impact. The article also mentions the "Portraits of the Nineteenth Century" exhibit, which showcases historical photographs and their significance. The page includes a black-and-white photograph of a person, possibly related to the topic of early photography.
The image is a page from a printed document or article titled "Photography: Early Death at the Fogg", authored by Clif Garboden and published in the Harvard University Gazette on May 21, 1974. The page is numbered Page Sixteen and is part of Section Two of the publication.
The page combines textual analysis with a visual element to create a cohesive narrative about the role of photography in art and history. The article is scholarly in tone, aiming to inform readers about the cultural and historical value of early photographic works, particularly those housed at the Fogg Art Museum. The inclusion of the photograph adds a layer of visual storytelling, reinforcing the article's themes of memory, preservation, and the passage of time.
The image is a newspaper clipping with the title "Photography: Early Death at the Fogg" and features a photograph of a man in the center. The article discusses the history of photography and its impact on society, highlighting the work of Victor Hugo and his use of photography to capture the reality of life.
Key Points:
Conclusion:
The image provides a unique glimpse into the early days of photography and its impact on society. The article highlights the work of Victor Hugo and the technical advancements made during the 19th century, making it a valuable resource for those interested in the history of photography.
The image presents a newspaper clipping featuring an article titled "Photography: Early Death at the Fogg" by Clif Garboden. The article is divided into two columns, with the left column containing the main text and the right column displaying a black-and-white photograph of a man.
Key Points:
Summary:
The image presents a newspaper clipping featuring an article about the history of photography and its impact on society. The article is divided into two columns, with the left column containing the main text and the right column displaying a black-and-white photograph of a man. The background of the image is a light gray color, which provides a clean and neutral backdrop for the newspaper clipping.
The image is a newspaper clipping titled "Photography: Early Death at the Fogg" by Clif Garboden. The article is about the Fogg Art Museum at Harvard University and its photography collection.
The article discusses the Fogg Art Museum's photography collection and its efforts to showcase it. The accompanying image is a daguerreotype of two people, which is a rare and historically significant type of photograph. The article highlights the importance of photography in capturing historical moments and providing a window into the past.
The image presents a vintage newspaper clipping with the title "Photography: Early Death at the Fogg" by Clif Garboden. The article discusses the Harvard University's Fogg Art Museum, focusing on its photography collection and the impact of photography on art and culture.
In summary, the image is a newspaper clipping that discusses the Fogg Art Museum's photography collection and its significance in the art world. The article provides an analysis of the museum's strengths and weaknesses, as well as the impact of photography on culture and society.