Preserving a Legacy

Preserving a Legacy is a feature published in the January/February 2018 issue of Perspective: The Journal of the Art Directors Guild. Written by Thomas Walsh and Karen Maness, the article documents the creation of the Backdrop Recovery Project and the effort to preserve historic Hollywood backdrops for future generations.

The article explains how hundreds of hand-painted scenic backdrops survived after major studios adopted new filmmaking technologies and no longer needed many of these monumental works. Instead of allowing them to disappear, members of the Art Directors Guild, scenic artists, collectors, and preservation advocates collaborated to identify, document, and relocate the backdrops to museums, archives, and universities.

Readers also learn how the Backdrop Recovery Project cataloged more than 200 surviving backdrops while uncovering the stories behind the artists who created them. Throughout the feature, Walsh and Maness describe the importance of preserving not only the paintings themselves but also the craftsmanship, studio practices, and artistic traditions they represent.

In addition, the article highlights partnerships with organizations that continue to care for these works, ensuring they remain available for research, education, and public exhibition. Today, many of these backdrops, including examples housed at The University of Texas at Austin serve as teaching tools while preserving an important chapter of Hollywood history.

About Perspective

Perspective is the official journal of the Art Directors Guild (ADG), IATSE Local 800. The publication documents the work of production designers, scenic artists, illustrators, and other film industry professionals while preserving the history of motion picture design and craftsmanship.

Explore More

Learn more about the Backdrop Recovery Project, historic Hollywood backdrops, scenic artists, and the preservation efforts featured throughout the Hollywood Backdrop Collection.