Bror Anders Wikstrom arrived in New Orleans from Sweden by 1883 and is best remembered as a designer for elaborate Mardi Gras productions. Through the 1880s and 1890s, his fantastical designs elevated the extravaganza of Carnival. This exhibition includes watercolor sketches for parade floats and costumes, in a gallery near the Wikstrom-designed, mahogany cabinet from NOMA’s permanent collection.

Design for “A Trip to Wonderland” parade costume #72, Krewe of Proteus

1898

Bror Anders Wikström

Carnival Collection, Tulane University Special Collections

Design for “The Freaks of the Fable” parade costume, Krewe of Rex

1910

Bror Anders Wikström

Carnival Collection, Tulane University Special Collections.

Design for “The Devil’s Basket” float, Krewe of Proteus

1898

Bror Anders Wikström

Carnival Collection, Tulane University Special Collections

Design for “D – Dragon” float in “The Alphabet” parade, Krewe of Proteus

1904

Bror Anders Wikström

Carnival Collection, Tulane University Special Collections

Float #10 in Rex Parade, 1902

1902

Unknown photographer

Louisiana Image Collection, Louisiana Research Collection, Tulane University

Cabinet

c. 1900–1905

Bror Anders Wikström

Mahogany

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. G. R. Westfeldt