Cia Fornaroli collection of costume drawings and prints [items in mats]
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Collection information
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Abstract
The Cia Fornaroli collection of costume drawings and prints comprises 481 original drawings and 24 prints adapted as costume designs, for a total of 505 items. Of this number, 217 drawings and 5 prints were mounted in mats; 264 drawings and 19 prints are stored as loose sheets. Because of Fornaroli's background as a ballerina, choreographer, teacher, and director at the Teatro alla Scala and its associated school, it has been assumed that most of these designs were made for ballet or opera productions at La Scala, chiefly during the nineteenth century, although in some instances the world premieres of these works may have been presented elsewhere. Few of the items in this collection are labeled with the title of the ballet or opera. Although an attempt has been made to link the designs to particular ballets or operas, in most cases the links have not been confirmed. Some of the designs may never have been realized onstage. Almost all of the original drawings depict single figures against a plain background, in portrait format. Many include notations, which are often difficult to decipher, by the designer or others; some are numbered. Some notations were added by library staff in the course of processing. Only a small proportion of the original drawings have been signed by the artist. The bulk of these are 135 items signed by E. Schiano, while 23 items are signed by E. Vigano. The full names of these artists have not been identified. Three items are signed by Alessandro Rossi Brighenti. Isolated names appear on other items, but it is often uncertain whether they are artist's signatures or the names of the performers. Twenty-four items are etchings or lithographs from various sources, often with additional markings and/or notations by the designer.
Dates / Origin
Date issued: 1800