Research Catalog

Title

Bessie Schönberg collection of costume sketches and artworks [graphic].

Publication

[194-?]-1991.

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Additional Authors

• Schönberg, Bessie.
• Pulvermacher, Neta.

Description

• 127 drawings : pencil, crayon, ink, watercolor, gouache, b&w or color; 45 x 46 cm. or smaller.
• 5 drawings : pencil, crayon, color ;
• 7 items ;

Summary

Collection of costume sketches, figure studies, portraits, and other graphic artworks by Bessie Schönberg and others. In addition to loose sheets, the collection includes five drawings in mats and three partially filled sketchbooks. A few of the items are signed and dated. Some of the drawings bear the names of dancers or dance works and their dates. The sketchbook labeled "Kiss me Kate" includes floor plans for sets for a production of the musical, and a costume sketch for the character Baptista. The collection has been arranged in nine groups: portraits of Bessie Schönberg; costume sketches and figure studies; costume sketches and figure studies on tracing paper; costume sketches for Loosely knit, 1947; costume sketches for Neta Pulvermacher and company, 1991; charts and floor plans; miscellaneous subjects; four drawings in mats; and sketchbooks/sketchbook covers.

Subjects

• Schönberg, Bessie > Portraits
• Figure drawings
• Costume design drawings

Genre/Form

• Costume design drawings.
• Figure drawings.

Note

• Title devised by cataloger.
• The collection includes three partially filled sketchbooks, two sketchbook covers bearing Schönberg's signature, and two sheets of notes.
• Many of the drawings are on tracing paper, and are extremely fragile.
• Some drawings include sketches on the verso.

Source (note)

• Estate of Bessie Schönberg.

Biography (note)

• Bessie Schönberg, 1906-1997, began her career as a dancer in the early years of American modern dance, and went on to become an inspirational teacher and mentor of a generation of young dancers and choreographers.

Contents

• Folder 1. Portraits of Bessie Schönberg (2 sheets).
• Folder 2. Costume sketches and figure studies (37 sheets, 1 sheet of notes).
• Folder 3. Costume sketches and figure studies on tracing paper (60 sheets, 1 sheet of notes).
• Folder 4. Costume sketches, some labeled Loosely knit, 1947, for a choreographic work of that title (?) (7 sheets).
• Folder 5. Costume sketches for Neta (some labeled "Netta") Pulvermacher and company, 1991 (7 sheets, 1 sheet in mat).
• Folder 6. Charts and floor plans (5 sheets).
• Folder 7. Miscellaneous, chiefly non-dance subjects (9 sheets).
• Folder 8. Four drawings in mats. Subjects include: a full-length self-portrait (?) of Bessie Schönberg, signed Schönberg 1946; a group of dancers labeled "Oxcart song, 1947; two female dancers, labeled "Villa Lobos"; and a picture of a man labeled "Cutting crab-apple branches for forcing in the house, Jan. 29, [19]61."
• Folder 9. Sketchbooks and sketchbook covers (5 items total). Three partially filled sketchbooks. The spiral sketchbook contains costume and set sketches, including costumes respectively labeled "C. Wilson, Scotch ballad, July 1943" and "F. Thompson, At dusk, Dec. 7, 1943." The 11 x 14 in. sketchbook contains unidentified and undated costume sketches. The sketchbook labeled "Kiss me Kate" contains floor plans and notes for sets, and a costume design for the character Baptista -- Two sketchbook covers bearing Bessie Schönberg's signature.

Call Number

*MGZGV 12-2323

OCLC

820353130

Title

Bessie Schönberg collection of costume sketches and artworks [graphic].

Imprint

[194-?]-1991.

Biography

Bessie Schönberg, 1906-1997, began her career as a dancer in the early years of American modern dance, and went on to become an inspirational teacher and mentor of a generation of young dancers and choreographers.

Local Note

Cataloging funds provided by Friends of Jerome Robbins Dance Division.

Source

Gift; Estate of Bessie Schönberg.

Added Author

Schönberg, Bessie. Artist

Schönberg, Bessie. Collector

Pulvermacher, Neta. Associated name

Research Call Number

*MGZGV 12-2323