Lilia Sofer Skala Student Portfolio
Scope and Content
The collection primarily consists of Lilia Sofer Skala's work as a student of architecture at the University of Dresden from 1915 to 1920. The student work includes architectural drawings, ink and charcoal sketches, and watercolor paintings. The collection also consists of biographical information including copies of Skala's academic records, printed material about the architectural program at the University of Dresden at the turn of the century, articles by and about Skala, and press material for LiLiA! , a play about Skala written and performed by her grandaughter, Libby Skala.
Dates
- 1915-1928, 2003, n.d.
- Majority of material found within 1915 - 1928
Creator
- Skala, Lilia Sofer, 1896-1994 (Person)
Language of Materials
The materials in the collection are in German with some items translated into English. The translation was performed by Andrew Creamer.
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use
The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.
Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction. Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.
Biographical Note
Lilia Sofer Skala was born in Vienna, Austria in 1896. She earned a degree in architecture from the University of Dresden and became the first female member of the Austrian Association of Engineers and Architects, practicing architecture.
Skala became a successful stage and film actress in Europe before fleeing the Nazis with her husband and two sons. Among the personal belongings with which she escaped was her portfolio of student work from the University of Dresden.
Skala immigrated to the United States in 1939 and eventually found success as an actress on Broadway and in television and film. She was nominated for an Academy Award in 1963 for her role as Mother Maria in Lilies of the Field .
Skala passed away in 1994.
Extent
1 Cubic Feet (1 box, 12 oversize folders)
Abstract
This collection includes a student portfolio of Lilia Sofer Skala, who studied architecture at the University of Dresden from 1915 to 1920. It consists of her work as a student, including architectural drawings, sketches, photographs, and watercolor paintings, copies of her academic records, and other printed material.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged into two series of Drawings and Biographical Information.
Source of Acquisition
The Lilia Sofer Skala Student Portfolio was donated to the International Archive of Women in Architecture at Special Collections in 2002. Additional materials were donated in 2004 and 2013.
Rights Statement for Archival Description
The guide to the Lilia Sofer Skala Student Portfolio by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 (https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/).
Processing Information
The processing, arrangement, and description of the Lilia Sofer Skala Student Portfolio was completed in July 2004. Translations were incorporated in March 2011, and an addition was incorporated in July 2013.
- Title
- Lilia Sofer Skala Student Portfolio, 1915-1920, 2003, n.d.
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Jennifer Meehan, Archivist
- Date
- 2004 (CC0 1.0)
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech Repository
Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries (0434)
560 Drillfield Drive
Newman Library, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg Virginia 24061 US
540-231-6308
specref@vt.edu