Friday, June 12, 2015

Period Fantasies

Oliver Messel in his studio
1940

The Victoria & Albert Museum preserves many artifacts from the career of London designer Oliver Messel (1904-1978). From the Thirties through the Fifties he specialized in historical pastiches livened up with contemporary color-schemes, especially for theater and most especially for opera.

Color samples for Barber of Seville
1954

Costume design for Barber of Seville
1954

Set model for The Country Wife
1936

Set model for Abduction from the Seraglio
1956

Set model for The Magic Flute
1956

Model for Penthouse at the Dorchester Hotel
1953

Color samples for Idomeneo
1951

Costume design for Idomeneo
1951

Costume design for Idomeneo
1951

Set design for Cenerentola
1952

Set design for Rosenkavalier
1959