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

Eugène Cicéri made this stage set design for the Paris Opéra using graphite on paper. Cicéri was a prominent stage designer during a time when Paris was a global epicenter for the arts and theatrical innovation. Consider how the Paris Opéra was not just a place for entertainment, but also a site where social hierarchies were reinforced and challenged. Stage design played a crucial role in shaping the audience's experience, creating a sense of spectacle and transporting them to different worlds. Yet, behind the scenes, the opera house was a workplace with its own power dynamics and labor divisions. This design is a fragment, a glimpse into the grand productions of the time. It speaks to the many hands and creative minds that were involved in bringing these performances to life. The Opéra was a space where identities were performed and negotiated, both on and off the stage. This drawing invites us to reflect on the complexities of cultural production and the individuals who shaped the world of Parisian opera.