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The image is a scanned page from a newspaper or magazine article, dated November 1975, titled "Fine Arts Dept. Brushes Modernists Aside." The article, written by Carla Hall, discusses the challenges and opinions within the Fine Arts Department at Harvard University regarding the teaching of modern art. It highlights the controversy surrounding the field of modern art and the department's approach to teaching it, including the departure of a former professor, Michael Fried, and the challenges in finding and recruiting tenured experts in the field. The article also touches on the department's strategies for addressing these issues and the opinions of various scholars and students. The text is formatted in columns with a clear, readable font, and there are some handwritten annotations and stamps on the top right corner of the page.

This image is a printed article from a publication dated November 1975, as indicated by the handwritten note at the top. The article is titled "Fine Arts Dept. Brushes Modernists Aside" and is written by Carla Hall. The article discusses the Harvard Fine Arts Department's approach to modern art and the challenges it faces in this field.

The article begins with a quote from John Rosenfield, the chairman of Harvard's Fine Arts Department, who explains the controversial nature of modern art and the department's current situation with no tenured faculty expert in modern art. It then delves into the department's efforts to find a suitable candidate for a tenured position in modern art, the challenges in doing so, and the differing opinions among scholars and students regarding the department's obligations and priorities.

The article also discusses the issues faced by graduate students in the department, the lack of modern art courses at the graduate level, and the reasons behind the departure of a faculty member named Michael Fried. It concludes with a note that the article continues on page 14.

The text is arranged in three columns, with the author's name and a brief introductory quote at the beginning. The article contains various names and quotes from different individuals, providing a comprehensive view of the situation in the Harvard Fine Arts Department regarding modern art.

This image displays a single page from a newspaper, specifically the Harvard Independent, dated "Nov '75" as handwritten in blue ink at the top right. The page is a photocopy or scan, showing some slight yellowing and minor creases, and is photographed against a neutral gray background.

The article featured on the page has the headline:

“Fine Arts Dept. Brushes Modernists Aside”

It is written by Carla Hall.

Article Summary:

The article discusses a significant personnel and philosophical crisis within the Harvard Fine Arts Department in the mid-1970s, following the departure of Michael Fried, a tenured associate professor and expert in modern art. His departure left the department without a tenured faculty member specializing in modern art — a gap that became a source of intense controversy.

Key points covered in the article include:

• Leadership Perspective (John Rosenfield):

  • The department chair argues that modern art is inherently “controversial” and “unsettled,” making it difficult to establish a tenured position.
  • He states that they are “going hammer and tongs on an appointment,” emphasizing that finding the "right" person is the department’s top priority — focusing on excellence and compatibility over haste.
  • Rosenfield defends Harvard’s obligation to cover “basic areas” like 19th and 20th century painting and sculpture before specializing, arguing modern art doesn’t need its own dedicated course if “techniques of analysis” are integrated into other courses (e.g., Islamic art).

• Dissenting View (Oleg Grabar):

  • Head tutor Oleg Grabar disagrees with Rosenfield, arguing that Harvard has an “obligation” to cover all fields, especially because of its prestige, and should “develop fields not developed elsewhere.”
  • He notes that while modern art isn’t required for undergraduates, it is crucial for graduate education — and the lack of dedicated modernist faculty hurts graduate students.

• Student Concerns:

  • Junior Sarene Shanus and graduate student Susan Siegfried express frustration. They note the department is not adequately supporting students interested in modern art, and the tenure-track system is seen as “very conservative.”
  • Siegfried adds that the departure of Fried — a popular figure — was due to the department’s “unwillingness” to grant him tenure, despite his qualifications, and that the tenure process is “indeterminate.”

• Why Fried Left:

  • Michael Fried left Harvard for a tenured position at Johns Hopkins — a move prompted because the department, while acknowledging his merit, was not yet ready to grant him tenure.
  • A tenure committee (chosen by President Bok) was involved in the evaluation process, which ultimately failed to retain him.

The article highlights the tension between traditional academic structures and the evolving field of modern art, capturing a moment when Harvard’s Fine Arts Department was grappling with its identity, priorities, and commitment to contemporary scholarship.

The article concludes with a note: “(Continued on page 14)”, indicating this is only the beginning of a longer piece.

Visual Details:

• The newspaper’s name, “Harvard Independent,” is partially crossed out at the top with a pen, possibly indicating this was a duplicate or archival copy.
• The layout is standard newspaper style: columns of text with a bold headline and byline.
• The handwriting (“H. Independent Nov '75”) at the top appears to be an external annotation, not part of the original publication.

This document serves as a historical artifact documenting academic debates over modern art, institutional priorities, and the challenges faced by faculty and students in elite art departments during the 1970s.

The image shows a page from a newspaper or magazine featuring an article titled "Arts Dept. Brushes Modernists Aside." The article discusses the challenges faced by the Fine Arts Department at Harvard University in recruiting and retaining faculty members specializing in modern art.

The article begins with a quote from John Rosenfield, the chairman of the Fine Arts Department, who acknowledges the controversy surrounding modern art and the difficulty in finding a suitable replacement for Michael Fried, a former associate professor who left the department. Rosenfield emphasizes the department's commitment to finding an excellent and compatible candidate but stresses the importance of making a hasty decision.

The article highlights the department's struggle to attract and retain modernist scholars, with only a few graduate students specializing in modern art and a lack of advisors for those preparing theses in the field. The department is aware of these challenges but feels obligated to make long-term or short-term academic appointments to cover all basic areas within academic fields and specialization.

The article also mentions the difficulties faced by graduate students in modern art, who may struggle to find faculty members with expertise in their area of study. The department's reputation as a conservative institution and its tenure system, which requires a full-tenure procedure, are cited as potential reasons for the challenges in recruiting modernist scholars.

Overall, the article paints a picture of a department grappling with the complexities of modern art and the challenges of maintaining a diverse and comprehensive faculty in the face of changing artistic trends and academic priorities.

The image is a scanned page from a newspaper or magazine, featuring an article titled "Arts Dept. Brushes Modernists Aside." The article discusses the challenges faced by the Arts Department at Harvard University, particularly in finding a tenured professor for modern art. The article includes quotes from various individuals, such as John Rosenfield, the chairman of the Fine Arts Department, and Michael Fried, a former faculty member who left the university. The article also mentions the difficulties in recruiting a suitable candidate for the tenured position, the overcrowded modern art tutorials, and the lack of advisors for graduate students. The article concludes with a discussion on the tenure system and its impact on the department's ability to attract and retain faculty members.

The image is a scanned page from a publication titled "The Arts Dept. Brushes Modernists Aside", authored by Carla Hall. The page is dated November 1975 and appears to be part of a newsletter or academic journal, as indicated by the header and structured layout. The content discusses the challenges faced by the Department of Art at Harvard University in the field of modern art, particularly focusing on the lack of modernists in the faculty and the implications for graduate students and the department's academic priorities.

Key Elements of the Image:

Header:

• The top of the page features a handwritten title: "The Arts Dept. Brushes Modernists Aside".
• Below the title, the author is identified as Carla Hall.
• The date is noted as November 1975.

Body Text:

The main body of the text is divided into several paragraphs, discussing various perspectives and issues related to the Harvard Art Department and its approach to modern art. Key points include:

1. Controversy in Modern Art:

   • The field of modern art is described as inherently controversial, with differing opinions on what constitutes modern art.
   • John Rosenfield, chairman of Harvard’s Fine Arts Department, is quoted discussing the challenges of remedying the lack of modern art expertise at Harvard.

2. Harvard’s Approach to Modern Art:

   • Michael Fried, a former associate professor and faculty expert in modern art, is mentioned as having left Harvard, leaving a gap in expertise.
   • The department is criticized for its lack of a modern art specialist, with the field described as "unsettled and sinking an irreversible shift away from modern art."

3. Recruiting for a Tenured Position:

   • The department is seeking a new faculty member, but the process is complicated by the need to find someone with expertise in modern art, particularly in the areas of nineteenth and twentieth-century art.
   • The challenge is emphasized: "Finding and recruiting a person for a tenured position is not like going to Woolworth’s and looking."

4. Opinions from Faculty and Students:

   • Michael Fried: Stresses the difficulty of finding a compatible person and the importance of prioritizing excellence and compatibility over haste.
   • John Rosenfield: Agrees that Harvard has an obligation to cover basic academic fields, including modern art, but notes the department’s conservative nature and the difficulty of recruiting modernists.
   • Oleg Grabar: Disagrees with Rosenfield, arguing that Harvard should develop fields not prestige but keep up with the very rare fields it has established. He believes the department should prioritize modern art.

5. Graduate Student Concerns:

   • Graduate students express frustration with the lack of modern art expertise, noting that the department does not offer courses in modern art at the graduate level.
   • The absence of modern art courses is seen as problematic for graduate students, who need guidance and mentorship in this area.
   • Susan Siegfried, a graduate student, highlights the stress caused by the lack of clear academic direction and the difficulty in finding advisors for modern art.

6. Impact on the Department:

   • The lack of modern art expertise is described as hurting graduate students and creating uncertainty about academic priorities.
   • The department is criticized for not aligning its undergraduate and graduate curricula, with undergraduate courses often focusing on non-modern art.

7. Fried’s Departure:

   • Michael Fried left Harvard to accept a tenured appointment at Johns Hopkins University. His departure is linked to dissatisfaction with the department’s handling of modern art and the tenure system at Harvard.

Visual Layout:

• The page is formatted with standard newspaper or journal typography, featuring justified text and clear paragraph breaks.
• The text is dense and academic in tone, with quotes from various individuals and detailed explanations of the issues at hand.
• The handwritten title at the top adds a personal or editorial touch, suggesting the page may be from a newsletter or internal publication rather than a formal academic journal.

Overall Context:

The page provides a detailed exploration of the challenges faced by Harvard’s Art Department in the mid-1970s, particularly regarding the representation and teaching of modern art. It highlights tensions between academic priorities, faculty expertise, and student needs, offering insights into the institutional dynamics of the time. The inclusion of quotes from faculty and students underscores the complexity of the issue and the diverse perspectives involved.

This image shows an article titled "The Arts Dept. Brushes Modernists Aside," written by Carla Hall and published in a newspaper referred to as "H. Independent" in November of ’35 (handwritten). The article discusses the controversy surrounding modern art in academia, specifically at Harvard University. It mentions challenges faced by the Fine Arts Department, including staffing, tenure issues, and the role of modern art in the curriculum.

The text is written in a double-column format on what appears to be newspaper-quality paper, complete with natural imperfections and folds. Key individuals such as John Rosenfield, Michael Fried, and Susan Siegfried are cited in the conversation about balancing theoretical and practical aspects of art education. The discussion includes graduate and undergraduate education in art history, the availability of modern art courses, and the broader perception of modern art in academia.

Overall, the article portrays a detailed exploration of tension between traditional and modern art forms and between faculty and institutional pressures.

The image shows a newspaper article titled "Arts Dept. Brushes Modernists Aside," written by Carla Hall. It appears to be a clipping from the H. Independent, dated November 1975. The article discusses controversies within the modern art field at Harvard University, highlighting tensions between traditional academic approaches and newer modern art techniques. It quotes several individuals, including John Rosenfield, chairman of the Fine Arts Department, and Michael Fried, a lecturer and critic, among others. The article touches on issues such as hiring practices for tenure-track positions, the balance between undergraduate and graduate education, and differing views on the value of modernist art versus more traditional art forms. The piece argues the department's reluctance to fully embrace modernist perspectives, the difficulties faced by graduate students, and faculty perspectives on the matter. The article is continued on page 14, as noted at the end.

An old newspaper clipping mounted on a gray background. The top headline reads: “The Arts Dept. Brushes Modernists Aside,” with a byline “By CARLA HALL.” There’s a blue handwritten note at the very top that says something like “H. Independent – Nov. ’75.” The piece is laid out in two dense columns of serif text and discusses debates about modern art, the Harvard/arts department, and critics—mentioning figures such as Michael Fried and others. The paper looks aged and slightly yellowed, with small edges and a simple, classic newspaper lay-out.

This is an image of a newspaper article titled "Arts Dept. Brushes Modernists Aside" by Carla Hall. The article is from a publication named "Harvard Independent" dated November 1975, as indicated by the note "Nov '75" written in the margin in what appears to be handwriting. The text discusses opinions on modern art within the context of Harvard's Fine Arts department, mentioning individuals like John Rosenfield, who is critical of modern arts' controversial nature. A central theme of the debate in the article is the relevance and treatment of modern art in academia, particularly at institutions like Harvard. It mentions some of the grievances associated with the teaching and perception of modern art, including quotes from faculty and students on the subject. Other topics covered include curriculum choices, the impact on graduate students, the appointment of professors, and the tension between traditional and modern art within an academic setting. The continuation of the article can be found on page 14, according to the text at the bottom right of the image.

The article is overlaid on a lavender background, making it look like a clipping or a photocopy pasted onto a different sheet of paper. There are signs of folding or creasing on the paper, which could suggest that the article was previously folded.