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Computerized catalogue project

 File — Box: 9, Folder: 19

Scope and Contents

Includes documentation related to a project undertaken by Pisano in the late 1970s to create a "computerized catalogue" of Chase's works. In an article presenting the project, Pisano outlines the process by which each of Chase's documented works would be described by discrete classifications that would include title, alternate titles, medium, subject, date, stylistic attributes, and other details. Pisano felt that this descriptive format would, among other uses, serve as a valuable tool in the identification of fakes and forgeries--of which there are many, in Chase's case. The computerized catalogue would also provide a faster route to identify duplicate entries for paintings known by more than one title (also a major issue with Chase's work). Pisano worked with a team of art historians, curators, and a museum data services specialist to design the form and coding system for assigning classifications and data content. Pisano was invited to present the project at the "First International Conference on Automatic Processing of Art History Data and Documents" in Pisa, Italy, September, 1978. The file includes a poster for the conference, correspondence with conference coordinators and Pisano's collaborators on the project, and slides used to accompany his presentation.