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Theatrical Study (54 of 150)

c. 1920s–40s

William Sommer

(American, 1867–1949)
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Culture
America, Ohio, Cleveland
Medium
ink, graphite, and color on paper
Credit Line
Norman O. Stone and Ella A. Stone Memorial Fund 1954.153.54
Copyright
Copyright
This artwork is known to be under copyright.
Location
Not on view
Print

Description

These watercolor sketches may have been inspired by early performances at the Cleveland Play House. Rather than a conventional theater, the Play House was founded in 1915 as a workshop for experimental art, music, poetry, and dance. Embracing the slogan “democracy in art,” the organization did not use professional actors in its avant-garde performances. Sommer was a guiding force in the organization, designing sets and costumes and participating in the performances. A reviewer described his costumes for one performance as “symbolic rather than historical” and his curved sets as a “cyclorama” illuminated by “ultra-modern lighting.”

Theatrical Study (54 of 150)

c. 1920s–40s

William Sommer

(American, 1867–1949)
America, Ohio, Cleveland

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