On View
Musical Crossroads Gallery
Exhibition
Musical Crossroads
Created by
Ayers, Lemuel, American, 1915 - 1955
Date
1945
Medium
watercolor, graphite and ink on paper
Dimensions
H x W: 15 1/2 x 11 1/4 in. (39.4 x 28.6 cm)
Description
A watercolor sketch by Lemuel Ayers of a costume for the musical "St. Louis Woman", as performed in 1946. This costume is for an unidentified character. At the center of the sheet of paper is a light sketch in pencil painted over in watercolor of a woman wearing a patterned blue dress with purple and yellow detailing, a full length skirt, a high, ruffled collar with a brooch at the neck, and a black belt at the waist, sleeves in a leg of mutton style (very full at the shoulder and narrow from elbow to wrist), with an off-center row of buttons running down the proper right side of the bodice and continuing on the proper left side of the skirt. The bodice also has a decoration of flower rosettes running down the left side. The woman is wearing a hat with a black brim decorated with flowers that match the rosettes on the bodice. The woman is wearing black shoes, and her hands are gently outstretched. She has her hair styled in an updo and she is wearing hoop earrings. In the background of the sketch there are a few lines painted in black to indicate the wall and floorboards. At the upper left hand corner is handwritten in graphite: [Sk 200]. There is a piece cut out of the upper right hand corner, and to the left of the cutout area is a splash of purple paint with text handwritten below in graphite: [silk [illegible]]. Midway down the right side of the paper, handwritten in graphite, is the text: [2] and [1 1/2]. On the verso, the upper third of the paper is covered in text handwritten in graphite providing details about the construction of the costume. The sketch is unsigned.
Classification
Decorative Arts, Craft, and Design
Type
design drawings
Topic
Art
Costume design
Design
Musical Theatre
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Object number
2011.57.45.5
Restrictions & Rights
Unknown - Restrictions Possible
Rights assessment and proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5b6cbf38e-e24a-4a37-bbea-4ef2bf2fb586

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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