Before Arthur Pope became the director of the Fogg Museum (1945–48), he taught Fine Arts 1a: Principles of Drawing and Painting and Theory of Design for several years. The class, which met at the Fogg Museum, was mandatory for students enrolled in Harvard University’s Department of Fine Arts. We recently found this photograph in the Harvard Art Museums Archives, showing students looking at color and intensity scales for tone-relation exercises. Through the examination of original works of art and reproductions, students also made studies of masterpieces to gain an understanding of the principles involved in creating the objects.

When the Harvard Art Museums open this November, we will continue this longstanding tradition of supporting teaching and learning. Indeed, our new facility is designed to enhance and expand these activities, making the museums’ most profound resources—its world-renowned collections and staff expertise—more accessible to faculty, students, and the general public.