Erdix Capen (2 results)

Support your local visiting nurse! Original poster art promoting a fundraising drive for the Monson Visiting Nurse Association. The drive took place May 9th through 16th, 1927. Original gouache artwork by Erdix Winslow Capen on thick brown card measuring approx. 22" by 16", verso blank. Accompanied by six (6) printed signs for the drive measuring 6" by 6" each, on yellow and blue paper. Erdix Winslow Capen (1909-1995) was an artist from Monson, Massachusetts. He attended the Vesper George School of Art in Boston, and eventually became stage technician at the Boston Repertory Theater, where he designed and created theatrical masks. Very good. Minor dust soiling. Corners bumped, upper right- and left-hand corners torn, a couple nicks to extremities.

ERDIX WINSLOW CAPEN worked on theatrical productions in Massachusetts and other eastern states. He worked as a stage technician at the Boston Repertory Theatre, taught courses in mask making in Springfield, Massachusetts and did set and costume design for plays at Amherst College and Smith College. Capen was born in 1909 in Monson, Massachusetts, where he died in 1995. The house that he was born and died in was left basically vacant since his death, and when a new owner recently bought it, they started selling the contents, including these items related to his work in the theater. This collection consists of over 110 photographs, over 200 sketches and paintings, as well as newspaper and magazine clippings. The photographs vary in size. Some show close-ups of his constructed masks, while some show stage and set designs. There are several images of Erdix modeling his masks. There are some duplicates. A fraction of the photographs are matted with titles, and some are just snapshots. There are a few 8"x 10" photos, as well. Regarding the sketches and paintings, there are renderings of masks, costumes, set designs, and posters; there are unrelated drawings and watercolors of homes and landscapes. Throughout this collection, he studies color, value, balance, and contour. There are several "Problem Sheets". At the top of one page reads: "For designing all objects of three dimensions we strive for beauty of Proportion- Contour - Color". Underneath this phrase, Erdix studies the root rectangle, the golden rectangle, the curvature of the circle, the ellipse, the oval, the infinite and the ionic volute. There are also still life paintings and other uncategorizable original artwork. In one two ring binder, he outlines his theories of design. Capen professes: "Art is not a realistic representation but an improvement. Study, but do not imitate, do better. Exercise temperance in the use of variety. All art is an interpretation. Interpret, don't copy. Pen and ink is used for its ease and inexpensiveness in reproducing. Suggest (as leaves) do not make every one. Stop lines. Do not put a line at the edge of a shadow. Do not crosshatch, vary your line. Decide between the important and the unimportant. Success of pen and ink is the ability to leave out." On Space Relation: "Designs are interesting according to the variety in space relation. Keep spaces different shapes and sizes." On the page titled "Poster Stamp": "Color exists as relations of one color to another. Intelligent use of value is more economical - new colors add expense." On Subordination: "In a picture we do not do every blade of grass- we subordinate detail to the mass." On posters: "Posters should be striking in design - brilliant in color - significant in idea." Musings on balance: There are two types of balance: formal (cosmetic) and informal (occult). Balance may be brought about by adjustment of area, value, color, contour." Wedged into the back of the book are notes written on stencil paper with the outline for the book including musings on balance, stencil, character, realism, beauty, utility, and furniture. There are newspaper clippings which recognize his accomplishments, as well as newspaper and magazine clippings which he collected for inspiration. In articles from the 1930s and 1940s, there is light shed on his accomplishments. Interesting tidbits include: 1. ERDIX W. CAPEN Is Stage Technician in New Boston Theatre: Monson: Untiring efforts during the past five years, when he captured fleeting moods and gave them permanence in the form of theatrical masks, finally have won recognition for Erdix W. Capen of Main Street. He left on Wednesday of last week for Boston where he has a position as stage technician for the new Boston Repertory Theatre. The young mask maker is considered outstanding in his artistry. For many days following his graduation from the Massachusetts School of Art, Mr. Capen found stimulus to create masks that have been used in many theatrical productions in Eastern cities. 2. In the studio of his Main Street home, the World War II veteran pursues a business-hobby which has recently won him election as an honorary member of the Amherst College Masquers. He makes theater masks. Mr. Cap's latest handwork appeared in the Masquers' production of the Irish Donough McDonough's "Happy is Larry." His interpretative work in masking the three weird, distinctly different harpies has been acclaimed by many. Formerly a student at the Vesper George School of Art, Boston, where he became interested in the mask making phase of theater design, Mr. Capen has been engaged in this fascinating work for the last 17 years. In the course of this time he has produced many masks not only for Amherst college players, but also for several other theatrical organizations. 3. One of the theatrical groups taking part in the modern revival of masques is the Amherst Masquers, and for his assistance to this group, Capen has been made an honorary member. He also was responsible for the 18 animal masks used in the first full-length American production of Peer Gynt. 4. His knowledge of the theater and the important part of the mask plays in it is well-rounded. The masks about his studio are realistic: one feels as though one figure is ready to pounce up him, another to tell a humorous story. A wonderful collection of material from a person who worked in the theater. Items are in good overall good condition, with a few items having some damp staining. There are collections that I have gone through over the years, and with this one, I feel like I personally know Erdix and what an interesting person he was!