Sendak, Maurice (1928-2012). Set pieces from opera productions at the Glyndebourne Opera Festival and the New York City Opera, 1981-1987. Mixed media.

We have recently acquired a group of original painted set pieces for productions at the Glyndebourne Opera Festival and the New York City Opera, including large paintings mounted on wood for Prokofiev's The Love for Three Oranges (1982) and Mozart's L'oca del Cairo (1984), as well as costumes for Janacek's The Cunning Little Vixen (1981). 

A lifelong opera aficionado, Sendak approached his designs for the stage with glee. One sees in the details of these works, designed by Sendak and executed by a crew of artists under his close direction, many parallels with his illustrations for children: his eggbeater minarets for Prokofiev, for example, recall the chef implements of In the Night Kitchen. He used these occasions also to pay homage to other artists. The pink tree he executed for L'Enfant et les Sortileges recalls Doctor Seuss's distinctive foliage. Most of Sendak's stage designs are in the Morgan Library and other institutions. These pieces are among the few in private hands.

A number of items are available, including the pieces listed below. They are available singly or as a group. Please note that some of these pieces are very large indeed and will require special shipping. Please contact us for details.

For Prokofiev’s The Love of Three Oranges (Glydenbourne Festival Opera, 1982)

• The Prince's Escape, 9 x 6 feet on wheels.

• The Desert Camel. Painted canvas on wood. 6 ½ x 7 ½ feet.

• Eggbeater Minarets. Painted canvas on foam, loose painted steel cage finials. 67 inches high

• Ship I & Ship II, each 6 ½ x 4 feet, painted canvas on wood;

• Gondola. About 6 x 2 ¾ feet, painted canvas on wood;

• Blue Feather Fan, about 8 ½ feet in height with 4 foot wide fan

• Cupid Wings with Three (3) Bows. Mixed media and wood.

• Farfarello's Bellows. Mixed media. 30 x 12 inches.

For Mozart’s Interlude [L'oca del Cairo] (New York City Opera, 1984)

• Pair of Yellow Palm Frond Fans, about 8 ½ feet in height with 4 foot wide fans

• Folding Arch. Painted wood with steel supports. 12 ½ x 12 feet when opened.

For Ravel’s L'Enfant et les Sortileges (Glydenbourne Festival Opera, 1987)

• Pink Tree, about 10 x 8 feet, folding.

For Janacek’s The Cunning Little Vixen (New York City Opera, 1981)

• Five original feather and cloth costumes. Each about 33 x 32 inches.

• Pair of costume hats. The taller one is 16 inches high.