Collection and Critiques

Twenty-five Harvard and Radcliffe graduate today open an exhibit of important Renaissance art objects at the Fogg Museum of Art. They are members of a course on "Museum Work and Museum Problems" given in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.

Priceless works have been secured for the exhibit from the collections of J. P. Morgan '89, Joseph E. Widener, Lord Duveen, Dr. Hamilton Rice, Mrs. Jesse J. Strauss, Jacob Hirsch, and many other individuals, as well as from various museums.

Students in Charge

All plans for the display have been made by the students. The cataloguing of the exhibition, as well as arranging for the loans, insurance on the objects, and organizing the display was entirely in their hands.

Chief emphasis of the exhibit is on the skill of the European artisans shown in small objects of decorative and practical use. Represented are crafts of tapestry-weaving, goldsmithing, enameling, bronze-casting, carving in crystal and other precious stones, steel works, and book making.

From the shop of Benveuto Cellini, 16th century Italian artist, there is shown the world-famous "Mermaid" pendant in gold, with baroque pearls, rubies, and enamel, made by Cellini for the Medici family and now in the possession of Lord Duveen.

Historic Object

An object of historic importance is a crucifix of agate, gold, and enamel, attributed to the 16th century Italian artist Jacope da Trezzo, and believed to have been given to the famous king Philip II of Spain by his father, Emperor Charles V.

Two 16th century tapestries, made in Brussels about 1530 by Van Orley, and from that time until the World War the property of the Royal House of Saxony, are outstanding among the exhibits. The hangings depict "The Last Supper," and "The Ascension of Christ."