Theatrical Set Designs and other Fripperies for December 15th in the 2024 show . . .

Opalescing in air on the sparkle of a baby snowflake smiling at her sister as in the depths of a Singapore winter the stagehands at the Government House theatre lower the backcloth for Act I of Gilbert and Sullivan’s newest operetta and the overture begins . . . London and months ago but that not mattering . . . brand new in Singapore and that’s all that counts . . . that and an evening dress excuse . . . perfect!

My winter series post for today published on my Substack and free to look at if you’d like. It includes this one from back in 2020:

https://open.substack.com/pub/sarahbguestperry/p/theatrical-set-designs-and-other-0b2?r=kbn1g&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

The frozen north painted by Carl (Jens Erik Carl) Rasmussen. Looks mighty nippy, too what with all that ice. A Danish artist, he lived from 1841 to 1893. He is best known for his marine art and views of Greenland.

Kornerup on the ice: Midst of Greenland’s ice sheet, open crevasses expose their depths turning from white to dark blue and even black – up there stands a group of men. They have a traction sledge, a tent and a Primus stove, resting in between two impressive abyssal cracks. No sledge tracks are to be seen around; not a clue of where they came from, not either where they shall go. Early 1890s. Danish. Carl Rasmussen, painter (1841-1893). Image © and collections of the Nuuk Museum, Greenland. Artwork itself in the public domain due to age. via https://www.nuukkunstmuseum.com/en/behind-the-art/j-e-c-rasmussen-1841-1893/
Expedition to East Greenland: A depiction of Captain Gustav Frederik Holm standing in the exploration boat in Hekla Harbour on Denmark Island, Greenland in 1884 during the Umiak Expedition. The view is in Scoresby Sound facing East with Jameson Peninsula in the distance. Captain Holm is standing in a “Konebaad”, a large vessel with sealskins stretched over a bone or wooden frame, large enough to carry up to 10 passengers including provisions. 1891. Danish. Oil on canvas. Carl Rasmussen, painter (1841-1893). Initialed and dated JECR 1891 on the lower right. Image © Uno Langmann. Fair use license. Artwork itself in the public domain due to age. via https://www.langmann.com/expedition-to-east-greenland-by-carl-jens-erik-c-rasmussen

Doing a bit of window shopping with a dreamscape in your mind. 1920s photographs of the display windows at Kaufmann’s Department Store which was in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. All of these being from the website of Historic Pittsburgh.

Helena Rubenstein display: A toiletries window display featuring products by cosmetic industry pioneer Helena Rubinstein. Display window at Kaufmann’s Department store in downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 1926 image. Photographer not given. Kaufmann’s Department Store Photographs Collection, Detre Library and Archives, Heinz History Center. Copyright not established but probably in the public domain due to age. via https://historicpittsburgh.org/islandora/object/pitt%3A20181026-hpichswp-0149
Toys at the Theater: A Toyland display depicts a theatrical scene. The store’s toy displays during the holiday season were its most highly visited. Display window at Kaufmann’s Department store in downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 1925-1930 image. Photographer not given. Kaufmann’s Department Store Photographs Collection, Detre Library and Archives, Heinz History Center. Copyright not established but probably in the public domain due to age. via https://historicpittsburgh.org/islandora/object/pitt%3A20181026-hpichswp-0156
A Christmas window display of children’s toys. Display window at Kaufmann’s Department store in downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 1925-1930 image. Photographer not given. Kaufmann’s Department Store Photographs Collection, Detre Library and Archives, Heinz History Center. Copyright not established but probably in the public domain due to age. via https://historicpittsburgh.org/islandora/object/pitt%3A20181026-hpichswp-0152
A Kaufmann’s toy window display depicts a circus scene. The store’s “Toyland” shop was located on the ninth floor. Display window at Kaufmann’s Department store in downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 1925-1930 image. Photographer not given. Kaufmann’s Department Store Photographs Collection, Detre Library and Archives, Heinz History Center. Copyright not established but probably in the public domain due to age. via https://historicpittsburgh.org/islandora/object/pitt%3A20181026-hpichswp-0154
56rd Anniversary window: Adoria Beauty Salon was featured in a 56th anniversary diorama window display. Display window at Kaufmann’s Department store in downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 1927 image. Photographer not given. Kaufmann’s Department Store Photographs Collection, Detre Library and Archives, Heinz History Center. Copyright not established but probably in the public domain due to age. via https://historicpittsburgh.org/islandora/object/pitt%3A20181026-hpichswp-0140
Alice in Wonderland: A Kaufmann’s toy window display depicts the Mad Hatter scene from Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland. Display window at Kaufmann’s Department store in downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 1925-1930 image. Photographer not given. Kaufmann’s Department Store Photographs Collection, Detre Library and Archives, Heinz History Center. Copyright not established but probably in the public domain due to age. via https://historicpittsburgh.org/islandora/object/pitt%3A20181026-hpichswp-0153

56rd Anniversary window: Women’s gloves were featured in one of Kaufmann’s Department Store’s 56th anniversary window displays. Display window at Kaufmann’s Department store in downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 1927 image. Photographer not given. Kaufmann’s Department Store Photographs Collection, Detre Library and Archives, Heinz History Center. Copyright not established but probably in the public domain due to age. https://historicpittsburgh.org/islandora/object/pitt%3A20181026-hpichswp-0139
Sea Diver: A sporting goods display contained a sea diver’s suit and a machine which pumped air. Display window at Kaufmann’s Department store in downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 1926 image. Photographer not given. Kaufmann’s Department Store Photographs Collection, Detre Library and Archives, Heinz History Center. Copyright not established but probably in the public domain due to age. https://historicpittsburgh.org/islandora/object/pitt%3A20181026-hpichswp-0145
Women’s shoes: A painted backdrop for a women’s shoe window display evokes Paris’ Place de la Concorde. The window display coincided with the International Exposition of Arts and Industries, held during Kaufmann’s 50th year in business. Display window at Kaufmann’s Department store in downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 1926 image. Photographer not given. Kaufmann’s Department Store Photographs Collection, Detre Library and Archives, Heinz History Center. Copyright not established but probably in the public domain due to age. https://historicpittsburgh.org/islandora/object/pitt%3A20181026-hpichswp-0143
Glove display: A window display of women’s gloves during the International Exposition of Arts and Industries. The exhibition highlighting achievements in industry and the arts coincided with Kaufmann’s 50th anniversary. The glove counter included a exhibit of gloves worn by royalty. Display window at Kaufmann’s Department store in downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 1926 image. Photographer not given. Kaufmann’s Department Store Photographs Collection, Detre Library and Archives, Heinz History Center. Copyright not established but probably in the public domain due to age. https://historicpittsburgh.org/islandora/object/pitt%3A20181026-hpichswp-0144
Women in Aviation: Kaufmann’s included a display of women’s aviation apparel in its suite of window designs during the International Exposition on Arts and Industries. Display window at Kaufmann’s Department store in downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Image ca. 1926. Photographer not given. Kaufmann’s Department Store Photographs Collection, Detre Library and Archives, Heinz History Center. Copyright not established but probably in the public domain due to age. https://historicpittsburgh.org/islandora/object/pitt%3A20181026-hpichswp-0157
Health Builder: A household appliances window display features a sun lamp and the Battle Creek Health Builder, a vibrating belt exercise machine which debuted in the late 1920s. Display window at Kaufmann’s Department store in downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Image ca. 1926. Photographer not given. Kaufmann’s Department Store Photographs Collection, Detre Library and Archives, Heinz History Center. Copyright not established but probably in the public domain due to age. https://historicpittsburgh.org/islandora/object/pitt%3A20181026-hpichswp-0148

Theatrical Set Designs and other Fripperies . . . issue for December 14th in the Year of Our Lord 2024

sparking on air as the scent of spiced cookies baking reaches the nursery . . . party dresses with silk sashes and fringe a foot long all around and off to the magic show at the village hall . . . supper later but a lady that skips out of a casket and a rabbit that hops out of a hat and into the wings . . . someone whispering that the shows were better back before the revolution came in the days that the big people are just old enough to remember . . . but who can tell . . . the village and its river to swim in . . . what there is and the other gone . . .

My winter series post for today published over on my Substack and free to look through if you like. It includes this very decorated up cocktail.

https://open.substack.com/pub/sarahbguestperry/p/theatrical-set-designs-and-other-d40?r=kbn1g&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

Fruit and flowers painted by Dutch painter Johannes Bosschaert  (1606/08– 1628/29). He was a member of the Bosschaert family of still life painters.

Basket of Flowers. 17th c, by 1628-29. Dutch. Oil on copper. Johannes Bosschaert, painter  (1606/08– 1628/29). Image source https://www.wga.hu/art/b/bosschae/johannes/basket_f.jpg. Collections of the Louvre Museum. Artwork itself in the public domain because the artist died over 100 years ago. via https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bosschaert_Johannes_02.jpg
Still life with tulips. Undated, by 1628-29. Dutch. Oil on oak wood. Johannes Bosschaert, painter  (1606/08– 1628/29). Signed on the lower right. Collections of the National Museum, Stockholm. Artwork in the public domain because the artist died over 100 years ago. via https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Still_Life_with_Tulips_(Johannes_Bosschaert)_-_Nationalmuseum_-_23715.tif?page=1 though I found it here https://www.instagram.com/scala.regia/p/DDhyC7iu2pF/
Still life of tulips and other flowers in a basket, with shells and fruit on a stone ledge. 1624. Dutch. Oil on oak panel. Johannes Bosschaert, painter  (1606/08– 1628/29). Signed with initials and dated on the lower left I-B-1624. Image source https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2019/old-masters-evening-sale/johannes-bosschaert-still-life-of-tulips-and-other Artwork in the public domain because the artist died over 100 years ago. via https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Still_life_of_tulips_and_other_flowers_in_a_basket,_with_shells_and_fruit_on_a_stone_ledge.jpg

Theatrical Set Designs and Other Fripperies . . . December 13th edition in the 2024 winter show. . .

smouldering in air at the end of a stick of patchouli incense as in the back of a strange little shop that mostly sells peacock feather fans and who knows what the tiny ones who live inside the dioramas in the back room come to life and creep out to have a drink in the urban sculpture’d up bar in the front room . . . oh no . . . the night watchman and his big flashlight . . .better run . . . mean the last time and threatening to tell . . . back to the divan and its sugar cube bed with a tiny piece of lint for a blanket.

my winter series post for today published on my Substack at the link and free to look at if you like. https://open.substack.com/pub/sarahbguestperry/p/theatrical-set-designs-and-other-a03?r=kbn1g&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

Theatrical Set Designs and Other Fripperies . . . December 11th 2024 edition

effervescing in air on the tip of an artist’s brush as he finishes for the night and locks up his studio to go home for dinner . . . little somethings scampering out from the corners behind the collection of dinged up stretchers . . .but what . . . the putti . . . bored they are and coming out. . . two to sit as king and queen and the others behind the little curtain where the models undress . . . an operetta and then a ballet and then a play . . . and all to be before morning when anyone comes . . .

my series post for today published over on my Substack at the link.

https://open.substack.com/pub/sarahbguestperry/p/theatrical-set-designs-and-other-db9?r=kbn1g&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

Theatrical Set Designs and Other Fripperies. December 10th edition for the 2024 winter show . . .

whispering on air on the flitting of a butterfly’s wing as she soars towards the sun as high up in the Andes the stars align for the Incan princess’s bridal day . . . luck one needs and that much . . . prince from the other side of the sea and the soothsayer not pleased but the treaties signed . . . A bit short but he looks all right otherwise . . . too late anyway and time for the music to begin . . . can’t have a wedding without that . . .a reception to live beyond the stars and into memory no matter how it all turns out.

Today’s post for my 2024 winter show free to see over on my Substack. I think there are 28 images please scroll to the end to see them all. Thanks! These fun bespoke cocktail ice cubes are at the very end.

https://open.substack.com/pub/sarahbguestperry/p/theatrical-set-designs-and-other-d32?r=kbn1g&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

Visions of an ideal living room before the visiting toddler triplets who live next door come in and wreck it. Watercolors of interior spaces by Wisconsin interior decorator Odin J. Oyen (1865-1926), archived at the University of Wisconsin in Lacrosse, Wisconsin. The first image is also his but from a different source.

Rendering depicting the interior dining room for the historic Colonel E. P. Farr House, located at 106 East Wynocka Street, Pierre, South Dakota which was built in 1904. Undated, but after 1904 and before July 31, 1926. American. Polychromatic watercolor. Odin J. Oyen, watercolorist (1865-1926). Image © 2024 Urban Remains. Fair use license for the image, artwork itself in the public domain due to age. Link here https://www.urbanremainschicago.com/rare-early-20th-american-polychromatic-watercolor-rendering-depicting-the-interior-dining-room-for-the-historic-col-e-p-farr-house-executed-by-odin-j-oyen.html though I found it here https://streetsofsalem.com/2024/12/02/watercolor-dining-rooms/
Rendering of an interior design, parlor or library, perhaps. Undated design, after 1888 and before July 31, 1926. Published between 1888 and 1930. American. Watercolor. Polychromatic watercolor. Odin J. Oyen, watercolorist (1865-1926). Collections of the Murphy Library, University of Wisconsin Lacrosse. Image © University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Murphy Library. Fair use license. Artwork itself in the public domain due to age. via https://digitalcollections.uwlax.edu/jsp/RcWebImageViewer.jsp;jsessionid=2FE074F9CF90F628AE9EE7006F525E3D?doc_id=4c0dd47f-6176-4744-a0c9-fec0d718656f/wlacu000/00000039/00000036
Residential interior design, front hall. Undated design, after 1888 and before July 31, 1926. Published between 1888 and 1930. American. Watercolor. Polychromatic watercolor. Odin J. Oyen, watercolorist (1865-1926). Collections of the Murphy Library, University of Wisconsin Lacrosse. Image © University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Murphy Library. Fair use license. Artwork itself in the public domain due to age. via https://digitalcollections.uwlax.edu/jsp/RcWebImageViewer.jsp?doc_id=4caa8779-7099-4b06-9b7f-cd432d13cbd2/wlacu000/00000039/00000156

There are lots more watercolors that I haven’t used yet, 12 screens in all and I’ve gotten halfway through the second one. I wish I could say I found these by myself but I found the watercolorist mentioned on the Streets of Salem blog which is a history blog but she finds some great pictures.

Theatrical Set Designs and Other Fripperies for December 8 in the 2024 show . . . 

whispering on air on a dried leaf tumbling along the sidewalk in late November as at an abandoned holiday camp somewhere past the rivers of the west that reach to the sea they start to return . . . mothers with babies in their arms while fathers and older brothers are left to struggle with picnic baskets . . . supposed to weigh less but what can one do . . . can’t have a picnic without a jumbo watermelon and two things of fried chicken . . . . . .shouting about wanting help they are but a band singing fun songs on the stage and everyone starting to dance on the grass. . . more fun than toting gallons of lemonade any old day. . . but deviled eggs . . . that might be worth going back for.

My winter series post for today published on my Substack at the link and free to look through if you’d like. It includes this fun image-

https://open.substack.com/pub/sarahbguestperry/p/theatrical-set-designs-and-other-222?r=kbn1g&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true