Dress Rehearsal: The Art of Theatrical Design
Alexandra Exter (1882–1949), Revue, pl. 10 from the set, Décors de théâtre (detail), 1930. Color pochoir, 10 1/8 x 12 1/16 in. (25.7 x 30.7 cm) (image), 12 15/16 x 19 13/16 in. (32.9 x 50.3 cm) (sheet). Theater and Dance Collection, gift of Mr. and Mrs. Nikita D. Lobanov, T&D1977.34 ©️ Exter-Lissim Archives. Photograph by Jorge Bachmann
In celebration of the Legion’s 100th anniversary, this exhibition brings together a selection of our most outstanding costume and set designs through two intertwined stories — the history of theater and dance, and the founding of the Legion of Honor. Alma de Bretteville Spreckels (1881–1968), cofounder of the Legion, donated over 60 spectacular Russian theater and dance drawings, including exceptional designs for the Ballets Russes (1909–1929). Over the following decades, our collection of theater and dance material has grown to be one of the strongest in the United States. Moving from ballet’s roots in 15th-century Italy up to present day, the exhibition includes rarely shown drawings and designs by celebrated artists. From Ballets Russes designer Léon Bakst to avant-garde painters Natalia Goncharova, Pablo Picasso, and Marie Laurencin to contemporary artist Marcel Dzama, all of the artists on view turned their immense talent in the graphic arts to the stage.
Exhibition preview
Stories
Featured collection artworks
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Revue, pl. 10 from the set, Décors de théâtre, 1930
Alexandra Exter -
Stage set design for Le coq d'or (Théâtre National de l'Opéra, Paris, 1914), 1914
Natalia Sergeevna Goncharova -
Study of Isadora Duncan, 1915
Abraham Walkowitz -
Costume design for a peasant girl in Foire de Sorotchinsk (Salle Pleyel, Paris, 1940), 1940
Natalia Sergeevna Goncharova -
Our Daughter's Dance with Wisdom, 2015
Marcel Dzama -
Costume design for Potiphar's wife in La légende de Joseph (Théâtre National de l'Opéra, Paris, 1914), 1914
Léon Bakst (Lev Samoilovich Rosenberg) -
Stage set design, ca. 1760–1770
Gabriel Jacques de Saint-Aubin
Currently on view
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Closing soon
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Closing soon
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The McCoy Jones Collection: Textiles from Central Asia and the Middle East
Through
de Young ExhibitionClosing soon