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Fogg Art Museum Scrapbook, May 1973-March 1978

ARCH.2003.39, Rendition: 806704

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This image shows a newspaper clipping from a publication titled "Mandarin" dated December 1979. The article is titled "Fine Arts Dept. Brushes Modernists Aside" and is written by Carla Hall. The article discusses the controversy surrounding the teaching of modern art at Harvard University's Fine Arts Department. It highlights the departure of a professor and the subsequent challenges in finding a replacement in the field of modern art. The text quotes various individuals involved in the department, including John Rosenfield, the chairman of the Fine Arts Department, and graduate students like Susan Siegfried, who share their perspectives on the situation. The article also touches on the tenure system's impact on hiring and the department's priorities between undergraduate and graduate education.

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This image shows a newspaper article titled "Dept. Brushes Modernists Aside" written by Carla Hall. The article discusses the controversy within Harvard's Fine Arts Department regarding the lack of tenured faculty experts in modern art. The article mentions John Rosenfield, the chairman of the department, who explains the challenges of finding a suitable candidate for a tenured position in modern art. It also includes comments from other faculty members and students about the situation. The text is laid out in three columns and is printed on aged paper. There is a note at the bottom indicating that the article continues on page 14. The newspaper appears to be folded at the top left corner, revealing part of another page with the word "MANDARIN" and some other text.

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This image displays a close-up photograph of a yellowed, folded newspaper article, resting on a plain gray surface. Another newspaper page, likely from the same issue, is partially visible, folded and tucked underneath at the top left corner, showing the masthead “ROYAL MANDARIN” in bold lettering along with some Chinese characters.

The main article, clearly the focus of the image, is titled in large, bold, uppercase letters:

“Arts Dept. Brushes Modernists Aside”

It is authored by CARLA HALL, as indicated beneath the headline.

The article is a multi-column report discussing the controversy surrounding the Fine Arts Department at Harvard University in the context of modern art. The text details the department’s struggle to fill a tenured position for a modern art specialist following the departure of Professor Michael Fried. The article explores the department's reluctance or inability to establish a dedicated modern art faculty, despite student interest and faculty debate.

Key points covered in the article include:

  • Quotes from John Rosenfield, chairman of the department, who acknowledges the “controversial” nature of modern art and the department’s difficulty in finding a suitable, tenured scholar.
  • Disagreements among faculty, with Oleg Grabar arguing that modern art can be taught by applying general art historical methods, even without a specialist.
  • Concerns from students and scholars like Alix Murdoch and Susan Siegfried about the lack of advising and continuity for graduate students studying modern art.
  • A section titled “Why Fried Fled” that explains Professor Michael Fried left Harvard for Johns Hopkins University, partly because he was not being considered for tenure, which he felt was an indication he was “hated” by department members.

The article concludes by noting that the full tenuring procedure at Harvard requires scrutiny by an ad hoc committee chosen by President Bok, and the piece continues on page 14.

The physical state of the paper — its yellowed color, folded creases, and slightly worn edges — suggests it is an archival or historical document. The overall tone of the article is investigative and critical, highlighting the institutional challenges and philosophical disagreements within a prestigious university regarding the teaching of contemporary art.

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The image is a photograph of a newspaper clipping featuring an article titled "US Dept. Brushes Modernists Aside" by Carla Hall. The article discusses the challenges faced by the Fine Arts Department at Harvard University in maintaining a robust modern art program following the departure of Michael Fried, a former professor and tenured expert in modern art.

The article highlights the department's struggle to find a suitable replacement for Fried, who left Harvard this fall. The department chair, John Rosenfield, acknowledges the contentious nature of modern art, stating that "The field of modern art is inherently controversial. People will always disagree about who's good in it." With Fried's departure, the department faces a significant void in modern art expertise.

The article quotes various perspectives on the issue. Oleg Grabar, a head tutor, believes that techniques of analysis taught in modern art history courses should be applicable to other fields like Islamic art. He suggests that modern art does not necessarily require a dedicated course but can be integrated into broader art studies.

However, the article also presents the viewpoint of graduate students, who express concern about the impact of Fried's departure on their education. Susan Shanus, a junior in Fine Arts, notes the problem of continuity in studying with a particular faculty member, emphasizing the indefinite nature of graduate studies and the potential for delays if a suitable mentor is not found.

The article further explores the department's approach to addressing the shortage of modern art expertise. While there is an expressed need for someone new in the field, either tenured or not, the department currently relies on non-tenured lecturers or professors whose primary field is not modern art to teach modern art courses. This situation has led to overcrowded modern art tutorials and a lack of advisors for graduate students writing theses and preparing for generals.

The department chair, Rosenfield, acknowledges the difficulties but argues that Harvard has an obligation to cover all basic areas within academic fields, including nineteenth and twentieth-century art. However, Grabar disagrees, suggesting that Harvard should develop fields it is best equipped to handle rather than attempting to cover all fields.

The article also delves into the reasons behind Fried's departure. While some speculate that he left due to conflicts with department members, Susan Siegfried, a graduate student, suggests that he chose to leave before the tenure mechanism went into effect. Fried accepted a tenured appointment at Johns Hopkins University, where the Fine Arts Department was considering recommending him for a tenured position.

The full-tenure procedure at Harvard includes a committee scrutiny by an ad hoc candidate chosen by President Bok. The article concludes by noting that the challenges faced by the department in maintaining a strong modern art program are ongoing, with implications for both undergraduate and graduate education.

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The image is a page from a newspaper or magazine with an article titled "Dept. Brushes Modernists Aside." The article discusses the challenges faced by Harvard's Fine Arts Department in finding and recruiting a tenured expert in modern art, particularly in light of the departure of former professor Michael Fried. The article highlights the department's reluctance to specialize in modern art, arguing that Harvard's resources are better allocated to other fields. It also touches on the difficulties faced by graduate students due to the lack of continuity in faculty and the challenges of finding tenured positions in the field. The article features quotes from department chairman John Rosenfield and graduate student Susan Siegfried, among others. The page also includes a continuation notice at the bottom, indicating that the article continues on page 14.

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The image shows a page from a newspaper or magazine featuring an article titled "Arts Dept. Brushes Modernists Aside" by Carla Hall. The article discusses the challenges and controversies surrounding the field of modern art, particularly at Harvard University. Here is a detailed description of the content and visual elements:

Visual Elements:

  1. Title and Byline:

    • The headline is prominently displayed at the top: "Arts Dept. Brushes Modernists Aside".
    • The byline reads: "By CARLA HALL", indicating the author of the article.
  2. Text Layout:

    • The article is formatted in a typical newspaper style, with justified text and clear paragraph breaks.
    • The text is printed in a serif font, suggesting a formal or academic tone.
    • The page appears to be part of a larger publication, as indicated by the visible page number "14" at the bottom right corner.
  3. Partial Overlap:

    • In the top-left corner, there is a partial overlay of another document or photograph. This overlay includes the word "MANDALAY" and some other text and markings, which seem unrelated to the article itself. This suggests that the image may have been scanned or photographed alongside other materials.
  4. Content Focus:

    • The article discusses the tension between modern art and traditional academic structures, particularly at Harvard.
    • Key themes include:
      • Controversy in Modern Art: The article notes that modern art is inherently controversial, and opinions on what constitutes good art vary widely.
      • Harvard’s Stance: Harvard is criticized for shying away from granting tenure to modern art specialists, despite the field's growing importance.
      • Challenges in Hiring: The article highlights the difficulty in finding qualified candidates who are both experts in modern art and compatible with the department's existing faculty.
      • Graduate Education: There is a discussion about the challenges faced by graduate students in modern art, including the lack of tenure-track positions and the difficulty in finding mentors.
      • Department Priorities: The article explores the department's focus on traditional art forms (e.g., Islamic art, nineteenth and twentieth-century painting and sculpture) and the resulting neglect of modern art.
  5. Quotes and Opinions:

    • The article includes quotes from various individuals, such as:
      • John Rosenfeld, chairman of Harvard’s Fine Arts Department, who acknowledges the difficulty in hiring modern art specialists.
      • Oleg Grabar, a head tutor, who defends Harvard’s decision to prioritize traditional fields.
      • Susan Siegfried, a graduate student, who discusses the challenges faced by graduate students in modern art.
  6. Discussion of Tenure:

    • The article touches on the tenure system and its impact on hiring practices, particularly the departure of Michael Fried, a noted scholar in modern art, from Harvard.

Overall Impression:

The image captures a thought-provoking article that delves into the academic and institutional challenges of integrating modern art into traditional university departments. The overlay of another document in the top-left corner adds an element of visual complexity, suggesting that the image may have been part of a larger collection or archive. The article itself is well-structured, with clear headings, quotes, and a focus on key issues in the field of modern art and academic hiring practices.

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The image shows a newspaper clipping titled "Dept. Brushes Modernists Aside" by Carla Hall, featuring a column of text discussing the Harvard Fine Arts Department's shift away from modern art and its potential impact on the field.

  • Newspaper Clipping
    • The clipping is from an unknown newspaper, with the title "Dept. Brushes Modernists Aside" in bold font at the top.
    • The article is written by Carla Hall and discusses the Harvard Fine Arts Department's decision to move away from modern art.
    • The clipping is yellowed and torn, with a crease running down the center.
  • Text
    • The text is dense and difficult to read, but it appears to be discussing the reasons behind the department's decision to abandon modern art.
    • The article mentions that the department is looking for a senior scholar and that the current faculty is not interested in studying modern art.
    • The text also mentions that the department is not modern art and that the majority of undergraduates will at one point express some degree of interest in studying modern art and a plurality of graduate students have declared their major field of interest as modern.
  • Background
    • The background of the image is a light gray color, with a darker gray shadow visible behind the clipping.
    • There are also some faint lines and marks visible on the background, which may be from the clipping's original placement or from the scanning process.

Overall, the image appears to be a scanned copy of a newspaper clipping from an unknown publication, discussing the Harvard Fine Arts Department's decision to move away from modern art. The text is dense and difficult to read, but it provides some insight into the reasons behind this decision and its potential impact on the field.

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The image depicts a newspaper clipping titled "Dept. Brushes Modernists Aside" by Carla Hall, which appears to be an article about the Harvard University Fine Arts Department's decision not to renew the contract of a professor who specializes in modern art. The article discusses the implications of this decision and the potential consequences for the department's curriculum and students.

Key Points:

  • The article is written by Carla Hall and published in an unknown newspaper.
  • The title suggests that the Harvard University Fine Arts Department has made a controversial decision regarding the renewal of a professor's contract.
  • The article discusses the potential consequences of this decision on the department's curriculum and students.
  • The article may have been published in the 1970s or 1980s, based on the style of the font and the content of the article.

Relevant Elements:

  • The title "Dept. Brushes Modernists Aside" is prominently displayed at the top of the article.
  • The author's name, Carla Hall, is listed below the title.
  • The article is divided into several paragraphs, each discussing a different aspect of the department's decision.
  • The article includes quotes from various individuals, including professors and students, who are affected by the decision.

Conclusion:

The image depicts a newspaper clipping that discusses a controversial decision made by the Harvard University Fine Arts Department regarding the renewal of a professor's contract. The article highlights the potential consequences of this decision on the department's curriculum and students, and includes quotes from various individuals who are affected by the decision.

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The image shows a newspaper clipping with the headline "Dept. Brushes Modernists Aside" and is written by Carla Hall. The article discusses the challenges faced by Harvard University's Fine Arts Department in finding and recruiting a tenure-track professor specializing in modern art.

Key Points:

  • The department has struggled to attract and retain faculty members with expertise in modern art.
  • The field of modern art is inherently controversial, making it difficult to agree on who is qualified to teach it.
  • The department has had to rely on non-tenured appointments and visiting professors, which can create uncertainty for students.
  • Some students have expressed concerns about the lack of continuity in the department's curriculum and the impact on their education.
  • The article quotes several students and faculty members, including John Rosenfield, Oleg Grabar, Alixe Murphy, Sarene Shanus, and Susan Siegfried, who share their perspectives on the challenges facing the department.

Visual Details:

  • The clipping is yellowed and appears to be from an older edition of the newspaper.
  • The headline is in bold font, and the article is written in a formal tone.
  • The clipping is placed on a gray background, which helps to highlight the text.
  • A portion of another newspaper clipping is visible in the top-left corner, with the words "ROYAL MANDARIN" and "UPI" partially visible.

Overall, the image provides a snapshot of a specific issue facing Harvard University's Fine Arts Department at a particular point in time. The article highlights the challenges of recruiting and retaining faculty members with expertise in modern art and the impact on students.

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The image presents a yellowed newspaper clipping, titled "Dept. Brushes Modernists Aside," which appears to be from an academic or art-focused publication. The article, written by Carla Hall, discusses the controversy surrounding Harvard University's Fine Arts Department and its approach to modern art.

Article Summary:

  • The article explores the department's decision not to offer a tenured position in modern art, despite the field's growing importance.
  • It features quotes from various individuals, including John Rosenfield, chairman of Harvard's Fine Arts Department, and graduate students, who share their perspectives on the issue.
  • The article highlights the challenges faced by the department in finding a suitable candidate for the position and the potential consequences of not having a modern art expert on faculty.

Key Points:

  • The department's decision not to offer a tenured position in modern art has sparked controversy among students and faculty.
  • The lack of a modern art expert on faculty may impact the quality of education provided to students.
  • The article suggests that Harvard's prestige and reputation may make it difficult for the department to attract top talent in the field.

Visual Description:

  • The newspaper clipping is yellowed and appears to be from an older publication.
  • The title, "Dept. Brushes Modernists Aside," is prominently displayed at the top of the article.
  • The text is black and features a clear, readable font.
  • The background of the image is a light gray color, which helps to highlight the newspaper clipping.

Overall:

  • The image provides a snapshot of a specific moment in time, highlighting the challenges faced by Harvard's Fine Arts Department in addressing the needs of its students and faculty.
  • The article offers a nuanced exploration of the complexities surrounding the department's decision and the potential implications for the field of modern art.