Travels of a Scenic Artist and Scholar: The Richmond Scottish Rite Theatre Scenery Collection

Copyright © 2020 by Wendy Rae Waszut-Barrett

Here is a backdrop designed and painted by Toomey & Volland scenic studio of St. Louis, Missouri, ca. 1920. Last month I visited the Richmond Scottish Rite and documented the historic scenery collection, dating from 1900-1920.

Landscape drop by Toomey & Volland scenic studio of St. Louis, Missouri
Landscape drop by Toomey & Volland on the stage of the Richmond Scottish Rite Theatre

Here is a link to my past post about my visit to the Richmond Scottish Rite this fall:

https://drypigment.net2020/10/26/travels-of-a-scenic-artist-and-scholar-the-richmond-scottish-rite-october-24-26-2020/?fbclid=IwAR18iqXfhc-REFMElYe3BBn-4ZXygKuig9zr9Chw8YVg-xG3pUcZIqT-wgg
Scenery by Toomey & Volland for the Richmond Scottish Rite
Painted detail. Landscape drop by Toomey & Volland
Painted detail. Landscape drop by Toomey & Volland
Painted detail. Landscape drop by Toomey & Volland
Painted detail. Landscape drop by Toomey & Volland
Painted detail. Landscape drop by Toomey & Volland
Painted detail. Landscape drop by Toomey & Volland
Painted detail. Landscape drop by Toomey & Volland
Painted detail. Landscape drop by Toomey & Volland
Painted detail. Landscape drop by Toomey & Volland
Painted detail. Landscape drop by Toomey & Volland

Richard Finkelstein also made a lovely video of this scene with changing light:

Author: waszut_barrett@me.com

Wendy Rae Waszut-Barrett, PhD, is an author, artist, and historian, specializing in painted settings for opera houses, vaudeville theaters, social halls, cinemas, and other entertainment venues. For over thirty years, her passion has remained the preservation of theatrical heritage, restoration of historic backdrops, and the training of scenic artists in lost painting techniques. In addition to evaluating, restoring, and replicating historic scenes, Waszut-Barrett also writes about forgotten scenic art techniques and theatre manufacturers. Recent publications include the The Santa Fe Scottish Rite Temple: Freemasonry, Architecture and Theatre (Museum of New Mexico Press, 2018), as well as articles for Theatre Historical Society of America’s Marquee, InitiativeTheatre Museum Berlin’s Die Vierte Wand, and various Masonic publications such as Scottish Rite Journal, Heredom and Plumbline. Dr. Waszut-Barrett is the founder and president of Historic Stage Services, LLC, a company specializing in historic stages and how to make them work for today’s needs. Although her primary focus remains on the past, she continues to work as a contemporary scene designer for theatre and opera.

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