Design for a Stage Set at the Opéra, Paris 1830 - 1890

This is a stage set design for the Opéra in Paris, by Eugène Cicéri. It’s rendered in pencil on paper, materials that lend themselves to precision and detail. Look closely, and you’ll see the underlying grid, lightly drawn. This suggests Cicéri’s careful planning, reflecting the architectural nature of stage design. The lines create a sense of depth and perspective, mimicking the three-dimensional space of the stage itself. The pencil allows for subtle gradations in tone, creating texture in the foliage and architectural details. The controlled, precise marks give a sense of formality and grandeur fitting for the Opéra. While seemingly simple, this drawing represents the start of a complex, collaborative process. It’s a reminder that even the most elaborate productions begin with basic materials, skillfully manipulated to bring an imagined world to life. It bridges fine art and the applied arts.