Italian Street Scene for Theatrical Set engraving on paper 11 1/16 in x 16 7/16 in (28.1 cm x 41.75 cm);18 in x 22 in (45.72 cm x 55.88 cm) Museum purchase for the Paul Leroy Grigaut Memorial Collection
Francesco Galli Bibiena Stage Set: A Street Bordered by Palaces pen and brown ink with ink wash 10 11/16 in. x 16 3/4 in. ( 27.2 cm x 42.6 cm ) Museum Purchase
Luigi Canonica Scenographic Design pen and brown ink with brown wash and blue watercolor 12 5/16 in. x 9 1/8 in. ( 31.3 cm x 23.2 cm ) Purchased from the Estate of Edward Sonnenschein
Luigi Canonica Scenographic Design pen and brown ink with brown wash and green watercolor 12 1/4 in. x 9 1/4 in. ( 31.1 cm x 23.5 cm ) Purchased from the Estate of Edward Sonnenschein
Giuseppe Valeriani Stage Set: A Palace Hall with a Doorway pen and brown ink with ink wash on paper 13 15/16 in. x 13 7/16 in. ( 35.4 cm x 34.2 cm ) Museum Purchase
Lorenzo Quaglio, The Elder Stage Design: A Garden Setting pen and gray ink with watercolor on paper 19 in. x 34 5/8 in. ( 48.3 cm x 88 cm ) Museum Purchase
Italian Stage Design: A Loggia Near a Fortress pen and brown and black inks with gray ink wash on paper 9 13/16 in. x 14 1/2 in. ( 24.9 cm x 36.8 cm ) Museum Purchase
Stage set design amplified and idealized the early modern obsession with classical design, creating dramatic settings for 16th and 17th century performances of classical or classically-inspired stories. Early modern set designers, like the ones showcased in this collection, were interested in creating spaces which would give great visual depth to each scene and frame dramatic action with impressive, almost otherworldly grandeur.