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About this work

You see sharp shapes in red, black, and silver—like gears, stairs, and a moon—floating on a dark background. This was a costume sketch for a 1921 production of *Romeo and Juliet*. The director wanted the actors to look like moving machines, not people. Exter used metallic paint so the costumes would glint under stage lights. Look up *gouache*—it’s a thick, opaque watercolor that dries fast, perfect for quick theater designs.