Research Catalog

Boris Aronson papers and designs

Title
Boris Aronson papers and designs, 1923-2000.
Author
Aronson, Boris, 1900-1980.
Supplementary Content
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161 Items

StatusContainerFormatAccessCall NumberItem Location
A Little Night Music set modelMixed materialSupervised use *T-Vim 1987-012 A Little Night Music set modelPerforming Arts Research Collections - Theatre
Cabaret set model (large)Mixed materialRestricted use *T-Vim 1987-012 Cabaret set model (large)Performing Arts Research Collections - Theatre
Cabaret set model (small)Mixed materialRestricted use *T-Vim 1987-012 Cabaret set model (small)Performing Arts Research Collections - Theatre
Company road company 1/4" scale set modelMixed materialRestricted use *T-Vim 1987-012 Company road company 1/4" scale set modelPerforming Arts Research Collections - Theatre
Company set model (large)Mixed materialRestricted use *T-Vim 1987-012 Company set model (large)Performing Arts Research Collections - Theatre
Do Re Mi composite set modelMixed materialRestricted use *T-Vim 1987-012 Do Re Mi composite set modelPerforming Arts Research Collections - Theatre
Follies set model (1/2"=1')Mixed materialRestricted use *T-Vim 1987-012 Follies set model (1/2"=1')Performing Arts Research Collections - Theatre
Pacific Overtures set modelMixed materialRestricted use *T-Vim 1987-012 Pacific Overtures set modelPerforming Arts Research Collections - Theatre
Box 1Mixed materialSupervised use *T-Vim 1987-012 Box 1Performing Arts Research Collections - Theatre
Box 2Mixed materialSupervised use *T-Vim 1987-012 Box 2Performing Arts Research Collections - Theatre
Box 3Mixed materialSupervised use *T-Vim 1987-012 Box 3Performing Arts Research Collections - Theatre
Box 4Mixed materialSupervised use *T-Vim 1987-012 Box 4Performing Arts Research Collections - Theatre
Box 5Mixed materialSupervised use *T-Vim 1987-012 Box 5Performing Arts Research Collections - Theatre
Box 6Mixed materialSupervised use *T-Vim 1987-012 Box 6Performing Arts Research Collections - Theatre
Box 7Mixed materialSupervised use *T-Vim 1987-012 Box 7Performing Arts Research Collections - Theatre
Box 8Mixed materialSupervised use *T-Vim 1987-012 Box 8Performing Arts Research Collections - Theatre
Box 9Mixed materialSupervised use *T-Vim 1987-012 Box 9Performing Arts Research Collections - Theatre
Box 10Mixed materialSupervised use *T-Vim 1987-012 Box 10Performing Arts Research Collections - Theatre
Box 11Mixed materialSupervised use *T-Vim 1987-012 Box 11Performing Arts Research Collections - Theatre
Box 12Mixed materialSupervised use *T-Vim 1987-012 Box 12Performing Arts Research Collections - Theatre

Details

Additional Authors
  • Aronson, Lisa Jalowetz.
  • Chagall, Marc, 1887-1985.
  • Aronson, Boris, 1900-1980.
Description
134.5 linear feet (153 boxes) and 24 models
Summary
The Boris Aronson papers and designs is made up mainly of designs, but also includes production materials, scripts, and other papers.
Subjects
Genre/Form
  • Clippings.
  • Blueprints.
  • Costume design drawings.
  • Design drawings.
  • Models (representations)
  • Programs.
  • Diazotypes.
  • Renderings.
  • Scrapbooks.
  • Scripts (documents)
  • Technical drawings.
Access (note)
  • Collection is open to the public. Advance notice may be required. Set models in Series IX are available for access by permission of the Division and then by appointment only.
Biography (note)
  • Kiev-born Boris Solomon Aronson was a prominent twentieth century scenic designer, perhaps best known for his work on Broadway from the 1950s through the mid-1970s.
Call Number
*T-Vim 1987-012
OCLC
NYPG06-A77
Author
Aronson, Boris, 1900-1980.
Title
Boris Aronson papers and designs, 1923-2000.
Restricted Access
Collection is open to the public. Advance notice may be required. Set models in Series IX are available for access by permission of the Division and then by appointment only.
Biography
Kiev-born Boris Solomon Aronson was a prominent twentieth century scenic designer, perhaps best known for his work on Broadway from the 1950s through the mid-1970s. In a career ranging several decades, Aronson won eight Antoinette Perry (Tony) Awards for Best Scenic Design. He came of age during the Russian Revolution, studying art and design at the School of Modern Painting in Moscow. Continuing his education in Paris and Berlin, he wrote a book about his friend, the artist Marc Chagall. In 1923 Aronson emigrated to the United States and began designing sets for New York's Jewish theaters, first with the experimental Unser Theater and later with the Yiddish Art Theater. It was during these years that Aronson developed his theories on stage design: the set should permit varied movement; each scene should contain the mood of the whole play; and that the setting should be beautiful in its own right. Aronson soon found work in the English-speaking theater and began an affiliation with the Group Theater during the 1930s, working on 11 productions with director Harold Clurman, including Awake and Sing! (1935). In 1943 Lisa Jalowetz, whom Aronson would later marry, became his professional assistant; she continued to assist him throughout his career. The 1950s brought greater recognition of Aronson's talents. Working mainly on dramas during that decade, he received the Tony Award for Best Design for the 1951-1952 Broadway season for both Season in the Sun (1950) and The Country Girl (1950); he would receive another Tony the following year for The Rose Tattoo (1951). The 1960s brought him widespread acclaim as a designer for musical theater. His notable collaborations with director Harold Prince, included Fiddler on the Roof (1964), Cabaret (1966), Zorba (1968), Company (1970), Follies (1971), and Pacific Overtures (1976). Aronson also worked on ballet designs throughout his career; his final designs were for Baryshnikov's The Nutcracker (1976). Aronson also worked on some costume designs, as well as on paintings and sculpture; his work was the subject of several exhibitions, especially during the later years of his life.
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Finding Aid
Occupation
Set designers.
Added Author
Aronson, Lisa Jalowetz.
Chagall, Marc, 1887-1985.
Aronson, Boris, 1900-1980. Marc Chagall.
Research Call Number
*T-Vim 1987-012
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