The New York Public Library will be closed from May 25 to May 27.
Original color and black and white set and costume designs,submitted by designers as membership requirements for United Scenic Artists. The designs were possibly graded and/or donated by noted designer and teacher Woodman Thompson, who served in several capacities for United Scenic Artists over the years. Designers include Peter Arno, Lemuel Ayers, Alvin Colt, Mstislav Dobujinsky, Jean Eckart, Leo Kerz, Charles Lisanby, Oliver Messel, Isamu Noguchi, Lester Polakov, Richard Sylbert, Rouben Ter-Arutunian, Jac Venza, and others. Of particular note is Vincente Minnelli's exam (containing pencil sketches and abrief questionnaire).
United Scenic Artists is a labor union and professional association of designers, artists and craftspeople. Founded in 1897 as the United Scenic Artists Association,it was organized to protect craft standards, working conditions and wages for the entertainment and decorative arts industries. United Scenic Artists' members must pass rigorous entrance examinations and work in film, theatre, opera, ballet, television, industrial shows, commercials, and exhibitions.
View of the Kremlin, ca. 1790. NYPL Slavic and Baltic Collectionss.
One of 700,000 pictures in the NYPL Digital Gallery
