Collections record Beta

Collection Record Detail

Object Name

Drawing - Costume Design

Object Number

2019-94-1

Description

Costume design for the Broadway play, "Revenge with Music." Pastel or artist's crayon drawing on tracing paper, mounted on paper board. Drawing of a male figure in burgundy coat and breeches. Coat has a wide, patterned lapel and cuffs done in black fabric. Black stocking with traces of blue and green embroidered design near the ankle. White shirt with ruffled front and cuffs, with a black neckerchief. Outer cloak of black fabric with a wide collar, red fabric lining. The man wears a black tricorn with gold cockade, and carried a long black walking cane and red handkerchief in his right hand. Drawing is surrounded by a simple border of black pastel, with a black business card affixed in the upper-left corner with white text, "CONSTANCE/RIPLEY/NEW YORK." Underneath drawing, in pencil, "Don Emilio/Winninger/Act 1 Scene 5" with detailed pencil drawing of a shoe. In pencil at bottom-center of board, "38." A smaller sheet of tracing paper is attached on reverse of board, showing various details of the costume (handkerchief, back of coat, etc.) done in black crayon with notes on color and fabric. "38" written in ink at top-right of board; circular shape draw in pencil at bottom.

Provenance

Constance Ripley designed costumes for Broadway productions in the 1930s after apprenticing with Norman Bel Geddes. After marrying Thomas D. Williams in 1937, the couple moved to Connecticut and settled in Litchfield in 1940. They ran a successful fine arts and antiques business.

Comment

Charles Winninger played the character of Don Emilio in the 1934 production of "Revenge with Music." The Museum of the City of New York has a photograph of him in Ripley's realized costume, as well as other stills from the production.