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

Eugène Cicéri created this stage set design for the Opéra in Paris, using graphite and white gouache on paper. The drawing illustrates an archway flanked by stylized foliage, immediately evoking the grandeur and artifice of the theatre. Cicéri’s technique emphasizes line and form. The archway, rendered with precise lines, shows its planned construction, while the foliage is sketched with a freer hand, suggesting organic growth. The overall composition is symmetrical, inviting the viewer's eye to move across the implied stage. The tension between the geometric arch and the organic foliage can be seen as reflecting the broader theatrical tradition, where art and nature intersect. The drawing's formal qualities—its balance, line work, and careful composition— underscore its function as a design object. However, by bringing together architectural precision and naturalistic elements, Cicéri elevates the design into a study of contrasts, reflecting the opera’s blend of reality and illusion. This design reveals how the formal elements of art can create immersive, transformative experiences.