![A rectangular stage design composed of vertical stripes of uneven thickness in blue, yellow, orange red and black, with a small amount of green where the yellow and blue merge. In the center are four large triangles in white, red, black and green. The triangles are overlayed with four groups of converging diagonal lines in red, black, white and yellow. The lines add a sense of persepctive, as though there is depth from the center to the edges of the design. In the center of the four triangles is a very small orange and black diamond with three grey cloud forms above it. Small, white text in the bottom right reads [Act Curtain 'Checkmate' / E. McKnight Kauffer].]( https://images.collection.cooperhewitt.org/348475_e883fd1ea307a2ed_b.jpg
"Drawing, Stage Design: Backdrop, for \"Checkmate\"")
There is one other image of this object. See our image rights statement.
Object Timeline
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1937 |
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1947 |
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1963 |
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2015 |
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2019 |
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2021 |
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2024 |
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Drawing, Stage Design: Backdrop, for "Checkmate"
This is a Drawing. It was designed by E. McKnight Kauffer and music composed by Arthur Bliss and production directed by Ninette de Valois and made for (as the client) The Royal Opera House. It is dated ca. 1947 and we acquired it in 1963. Its medium is brush and gouache, graphite. It is a part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design department.
Ninette de Valois founded the Vic Wells Ballet Company, which became the Sadler's Wells Ballet, now the National Ballet. Checkmate was first performed at the Theatre des Champs Elysees, Paris, in June, 1937, and in October at Sadler's Wells.
This object was
donated by
Mrs. Edward McKnight Kauffer.
It is credited Gift of Mrs. E. McKnight Kauffer.
Its dimensions are
35.4 × 54.6 cm (13 15/16 × 21 1/2 in.)
It is signed
Signed in white gouache, lower right: E.McKnight Kauffer [partially underlined]
It is inscribed
Inscribed in white gouache, lower right: Act Curtain "Checkmate"; in graphite, upper center: TOP; upper left: 24 [circled]; on verso, center: M [cirlced]
Cite this object as
Drawing, Stage Design: Backdrop, for "Checkmate"; Music composed by Arthur Bliss (British, 1891–1975); Designed by Edward McKnight Kauffer (American, active England, 1890–1954); Production directed by Ninette de Valois (Irish, 1898–2001); Client: The Royal Opera House; USA; brush and gouache, graphite; 35.4 × 54.6 cm (13 15/16 × 21 1/2 in.); Gift of Mrs. E. McKnight Kauffer; 1963-39-272
This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibition Underground Modernist: E. McKnight Kauffer.
