Lot 335
David Walker (British, 1934-2008). Two costume designs: Sir Anthony Absolute and Lydia Languish - watercolor, gouache, ink, and graphite - both designs for "The Rivals" at Stratford Festival, Ontario (1987). Both are signed and dated. Both identify characters, play, and festival in pencil. A wonderful pair of costume designs painted by British designer David Walker. Both present costume designs for characters in Richard Brinsley Sheridan's comedy of manners titled "The Rivals" at the Stratford Festival in Ontario, Canada (1987). First we have Lydia Languish dressed in a ruffled negligee, sitting before her elegant vanity, holding a book and looking askance, perhaps taking a moment to reflect upon her reading. Next we have Sir Anthony Absolute wearing a tri-cornered hat and dapper suit. He stands with a walking stick and faces another figure (or perhaps another image of himself) who has removed his hat to greet him. On the verso are three fabric swatches for this costume. Both artworks are mounted behind glass in custom triple mattes and attractive metallic frames. Size: 14" L x 18.25" W (35.6 cm x 46.4 cm)
According to the David Walker Archive website: "David Walker (1934 - 2008) was a prolific British designer whose work encompassed film, theatre, ballet and opera. Walker was born in Kolkata, India to British parents and grew up in London. He studied at the Central School of Arts and Crafts under Jeanetta Cochrane. He first worked as a cutter for Glyndebourne before beginning his design career with Joan Littlewood at the Liverpool Theatre Workshop and the Theatre Royal. After his Royal Court debut in 1961 on The Changeling (Directed by Tony Richardson), he went on to work for many of the worlds major theatre, dance and opera companies. He created set and costumes for major works including, in ballet, Frederick Ashtons The Dream (1964), Giselle (1971) and La Sylphide (1979) for London Festival Ballet and Cinderella (1996) for English National Ballet; in opera, Der Rosenkavalier (1975) for English National Opera and Carmen (1972) for the Metropolitan Opera, New York; and in theatre London Assurance (1971) for the Royal Shakespeare Company and Undiscovered Country (1979) for the National Theatre. Walker also worked in film and television, where his credits included The Corn is Green (1979) and Hamlet (Directed by Peter Wood, 1971), for which Walker was awarded an Emmy for Outstanding Achievement in Costume Design." (Source: David Walker Archive, University of Bristol)
Provenance: private Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA collection; ex-Hugh K. Tirrell estate, representative Priscilla T. Bisher, purchased from Selker Fine Art, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
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#175605
- Condition: Both designs are signed and dated. Both identify names of characters, the play, and the Stratford Festival in pencil. Both are mounted behind glass in custom triple mattes and metallic frames. They have not been examined outside the glass but appear to be in very nice condition save slight toning, slight waviness visible at the peripheries, and minor crease marks. Frames are intact and also very nice save minor scuffs here and there. Both are fit with suspension wires.
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