Items Similar to Jazz Age Dancer Illustration by Broadway Designer Mabel E. Johnston
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 6
Mabel E. Johnston Jazz Age Dancer Illustration by Broadway Designer Mabel E. Johnstonc. 1920s
c. 1920s
About the Item
Mabel E. Johnston
Untitled, c. 1930s
Watercolor and pencil on paper
Sight: 12 1/2 x 10 1/2 in.
Framed: 21 1/8 x 17 1/4 x 1/2 in.
Signed lower right: Mabel E. Johnston
The first tidbit I found comes from the Forty-Sixth Annual Report of the Pennsylvania Museum and School of Industrial Art, noting that a Mabel Emma Johnston graduated with a diploma from the Department of Industrial Art at the Pennsylvania Museum and School of Industrial Art in 1922. She was awarded two prizes for costume design in the competition “Good Taste in Dress for Young Girls.”
Less than a year after her graduation, Johnston got her first job for Broadway designing costumes for the 1923 musical comedy Sun Showers. Johnston worked fairly steadily on Broadway throughout the 1920s, designing mostly for musical comedies and revues.
Johnston also did designs for The Merry Malones, which was written and produced by, and starred George M. Cohan in 1927. In 1940, Johnston was elected vice-president of the Theatrical Costume Designers Union, a division of the United Scenic Artists.
Despite a prolific output during the 1920s, Johnston all but disappeared from Broadway theater after 1929. Her final Broadway credit is from the 1941 play My Fair Ladies where she served as costume supervisor, but her last Broadway job before that was in 1933. She collaborated on costumes for Olga Baklanova and Bela Lugosi, stars of the musical Murder at the Vanities, in what was also her last design credit.
Biographical information sourced from the Museum of the City of New York
- Creator:Mabel E. Johnston (American)
- Creation Year:c. 1920s
- Dimensions:Height: 21.125 in (53.66 cm)Width: 17.25 in (43.82 cm)Depth: 0.5 in (1.27 cm)
- Medium:
- Movement & Style:
- Period:
- Condition:Not examined outside of the frame.
- Gallery Location:Larchmont, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2211212552472
About the Seller
5.0
Platinum Seller
These expertly vetted sellers are 1stDibs' most experienced sellers and are rated highest by our customers.
1stDibs seller since 2022
37 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: <1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Larchmont, NY
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
More From This SellerView All
- Fashion Illustration by Jazz Age Broadway Designer Mabel E. JohnstonLocated in Larchmont, NYMabel E. Johnston Untitled, c. 1930s Watercolor and pencil on paper Sight: 12 1/2 x 10 1/2 in. Framed: 21 1/8 x 17 1/4 x 1/2 in. Signed lower right: Mabel E. Johnston The first tidb...Category
1930s American Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
MaterialsPaper, Watercolor, Pencil
- Broadway Costume Illustration by Designer Mabel E. JohnstonLocated in Larchmont, NYMabel E. Johnston Untitled, c. 1920s Watercolor and pencil on paper Sight: 18 x 12 1/2 in. Framed: 39 x 21 1/4 x 1/2 in. Signed lower right: Mabel E. Johnston The first tidbit I fou...Category
1920s American Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
MaterialsPaper, Watercolor, Pencil
- Art Deco Costume Illustration by Broadway Designer Mabel E. JohnstonLocated in Larchmont, NYMabel E. Johnston Untitled, c. 1920s Watercolor and pencil on paper Sight: 12 1/2 x 10 1/2 in. Framed: 21 1/8 x 17 1/4 x 1/2 in. Signed lower right: Mabel E. Johnston The first tidb...Category
1920s American Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
MaterialsPaper, Watercolor, Pencil
- Charming Watercolor of a Southern HomeLocated in Larchmont, NYUnknown Artist Untitled (Country Home), 20th Century Watercolor and ink on paper 21 x 29 in. Framed: 28 1/4 x 36 1/16 x 3/4 in.Category
20th Century American Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
MaterialsPaper, Ink, Watercolor
- Snow-Covered Red Barn Watercolor by Kathleen FitzgeraldLocated in Larchmont, NYKathleen Fitzgerald Untitled (Red Barn), c. Later 20th century Watercolor on paper Sight: 11 1/4 x 10 3/4 in. Framed: 16 x 15 x 3/4 in. Signed lower right: Kathy Fitzgerald "I am Ka...Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
MaterialsWatercolor, Paper
- Rockwellian Style Watercolor by WW2 Illustrator Carol JohnsonLocated in Larchmont, NYCarol Johnson (American, c. 1917-2003) Untitled (American Family), c. 1950 Watercolor and paper mounted to board 13 5/8 x 23 inches Signed lower right: C...Category
1950s American Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
MaterialsBoard, Paper, Mixed Media, Watercolor
You May Also Like
- "Transition, Series 1, No. 4" - Watercolor Figurative IllustrationLocated in Soquel, CASubtly shaded abstract figurative illustration by Elsa Warnick (American, 1942-2013). Two adult and three baby figures are rendered with subtle tan shading, against an abstract background with geometric shapes and swirling ribbons. One of the two adult figures is laying down, while the other appears to be jumping or dancing. Notable is the skillful use of negative space to balance the composition. Signed and dated "Warnick 1982" in the lower right corner. Signed, titled, and dated with materials information on verso. Presented in a silver aluminum frame. Frame size: 23.5"H x 31.25"W Paper size: 23.25"H x 31"W Elsa Warnick (American, 1942-2013) was born and raised in Tacoma, Washington. She moved to Portland to attend the Reed College/Museum Art School joint five year program. Warnick went on to create many works of art as well as teach art and illustration. She is mostly known for her watercolor paintings, including the illustration of several children's books. Some of her pieces are held in the Portland Art Museum’s collection. Selected Exhibitions: 1974: University Center Gallery, Willamette University - Salem, OR 1978: Mayer Gallery...Category
1980s American Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
MaterialsPaper, Watercolor, Pencil
- Final Study for Atalanta, Girl with AppleBy Will BarnetLocated in Greenwich, CTWill Barnet is one of America's best loved and known artists of the Post War era. He is highly distinctive for his figurative and narrative work and in some ways he is the Edgar All...Category
1970s American Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
MaterialsWatercolor, Graphite, Color Pencil, Vellum
- "Manhattan Bridge" NYC American Scene Modernism Watercolor WPA Urban RealismBy Reginald MarshLocated in New York, NYReginald Marsh "Manhattan Bridge" NYC American Scene Modernism Watercolor WPA Urban Realism, 20 x 14 inches. Watercolor and pencil on paper, 1938. Signed...Category
1930s American Modern Landscape Drawings and Watercolors
MaterialsPaper, Watercolor, Pencil
- BYE BYE BIRDIE Original 1960 Broadway Musical Costume Drawing Tony Award ElvisLocated in New York, NYBYE BYE BIRDIE Original 1960 Broadway Musical Costume Drawing Tony Award Elvis. Miles White (1915 – 2000) BYE BYE BIRDIE 11 x 8 inches Mixed Media on...Category
1960s American Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
MaterialsWatercolor, Gouache, Pencil
- Women's Corner, Along the Cuyahoga River, Early 20th Century Cleveland SchoolBy Frank WilcoxLocated in Beachwood, OHFrank Nelson Wilcox (American, 1887-1964) Women's Corner, Along the Cuyahoga River, c. 1916 Watercolor and graphite on paper 21 x 29 inches Frank Nelson Wilcox (October 3, 1887 – April 17, 1964) was a modernist American artist and a master of watercolor. Wilcox is described as the "Dean of Cleveland School painters," though some sources give this appellation to Henry Keller or Frederick Gottwald. Wilcox was born on October 3, 1887 to Frank Nelson Wilcox, Sr. and Jessie Fremont Snow Wilcox at 61 Linwood Street in Cleveland, Ohio. His father, a prominent lawyer, died at home in 1904 shortly before Wilcox' 17th birthday. His brother, lawyer and publisher Owen N. Wilcox, was president of the Gates Legal Publishing Company or The Gates Press. His sister Ruth Wilcox was a respected librarian. In 1906 Wilcox enrolled from the Cleveland School of Art under the tutelage of Henry Keller, Louis Rorimer, and Frederick Gottwald. He also attended Keller's Berlin Heights summer school from 1909. After graduating in 1910, Wilcox traveled and studied in Europe, sometimes dropping by Académie Colarossi in the evening to sketch the model or the other students at their easels, where he was influenced by French impressionism. Wilcox was influenced by Keller's innovative watercolor techniques, and from 1910 to 1916 they experimented together with impressionism and post-impressionism. Wilcox soon developed his own signature style in the American Scene or Regionalist tradition of the early 20th century. He joined the Cleveland School of Art faculty in 1913. Among his students were Lawrence Edwin Blazey, Carl Gaertner, Paul Travis, and Charles E. Burchfield. Around this time Wilcox became associated with Cowan Pottery. In 1916 Wilcox married fellow artist Florence Bard, and they spent most of their honeymoon painting in Berlin Heights with Keller. They had one daughter, Mary. In 1918 he joined the Cleveland Society of Artists, a conservative counter to the Bohemian Kokoon Arts Club, and would later serve as its president. He also began teaching night school at the John Huntington Polytechnic Institute at this time, and taught briefly at Baldwin-Wallace College. Wilcox wrote and illustrated Ohio Indian Trails in 1933, which was favorably reviewed by the New York Times in 1934. This book was edited and reprinted in 1970 by William A. McGill. McGill also edited and reprinted Wilcox' Canals of the Old Northwest in 1969. Wilcox also wrote, illustrated, and published Weather Wisdom in 1949, a limited edition (50 copies) of twenty-four serigraphs (silk screen prints) accompanied by commentary "based upon familiar weather observations commonly made by people living in the country." Wilcox displayed over 250 works at Cleveland's annual May Show. He received numerous awards, including the Penton Medal for as The Omnibus, Paris (1920), Fish Tug on Lake Erie (1921), Blacksmith Shop (1922), and The Gravel Pit (1922). Other paintings include The Trailing Fog (1929), Under the Big Top (1930), and Ohio Landscape...Category
1910s American Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
MaterialsGraphite, Watercolor
- Cows by Woodland Pond, Toledo, Ohio, Early 20th Century Cleveland SchoolBy Frank WilcoxLocated in Beachwood, OHFrank Nelson Wilcox (American, 1887-1964) Cows by Woodland Pond, Toledo, Ohio, c. 1920 Watercolor and graphite on board Signed lower right 22 x 30 inches Frank Nelson Wilcox (October 3, 1887 – April 17, 1964) was a modernist American artist and a master of watercolor. Wilcox is described as the "Dean of Cleveland School painters," though some sources give this appellation to Henry Keller or Frederick Gottwald. Wilcox was born on October 3, 1887 to Frank Nelson Wilcox, Sr. and Jessie Fremont Snow Wilcox at 61 Linwood Street in Cleveland, Ohio. His father, a prominent lawyer, died at home in 1904 shortly before Wilcox' 17th birthday. His brother, lawyer and publisher Owen N. Wilcox, was president of the Gates Legal Publishing Company or The Gates Press. His sister Ruth Wilcox was a respected librarian. In 1906 Wilcox enrolled from the Cleveland School of Art under the tutelage of Henry Keller, Louis Rorimer, and Frederick Gottwald. He also attended Keller's Berlin Heights summer school from 1909. After graduating in 1910, Wilcox traveled and studied in Europe, sometimes dropping by Académie Colarossi in the evening to sketch the model or the other students at their easels, where he was influenced by French impressionism. Wilcox was influenced by Keller's innovative watercolor techniques, and from 1910 to 1916 they experimented together with impressionism and post-impressionism. Wilcox soon developed his own signature style in the American Scene or Regionalist tradition of the early 20th century. He joined the Cleveland School of Art faculty in 1913. Among his students were Lawrence Edwin Blazey, Carl Gaertner, Paul Travis, and Charles E. Burchfield. Around this time Wilcox became associated with Cowan Pottery. In 1916 Wilcox married fellow artist Florence Bard, and they spent most of their honeymoon painting in Berlin Heights with Keller. They had one daughter, Mary. In 1918 he joined the Cleveland Society of Artists, a conservative counter to the Bohemian Kokoon Arts Club, and would later serve as its president. He also began teaching night school at the John Huntington Polytechnic Institute at this time, and taught briefly at Baldwin-Wallace College. Wilcox wrote and illustrated Ohio Indian Trails in 1933, which was favorably reviewed by the New York Times in 1934. This book was edited and reprinted in 1970 by William A. McGill. McGill also edited and reprinted Wilcox' Canals of the Old Northwest in 1969. Wilcox also wrote, illustrated, and published Weather Wisdom in 1949, a limited edition (50 copies) of twenty-four serigraphs (silk screen prints) accompanied by commentary "based upon familiar weather observations commonly made by people living in the country." Wilcox displayed over 250 works at Cleveland's annual May Show. He received numerous awards, including the Penton Medal for as The Omnibus, Paris (1920), Fish Tug on Lake Erie (1921), Blacksmith Shop (1922), and The Gravel Pit (1922). Other paintings include The Trailing Fog (1929), Under the Big Top (1930), and Ohio Landscape...Category
1920s American Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
MaterialsWatercolor, Graphite