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

This stage set design was sketched by Eugène Cicéri, probably for a production at the Paris Opéra. It’s rendered in graphite on paper, a seemingly simple combination, yet perfectly suited to the task. The drawing’s immediacy speaks to its purpose: a rapid visualization of a theatrical space. Notice how the graphite captures light and shadow, creating depth and atmosphere. The buildings are sketched with just enough detail to convey their architectural character and spatial arrangement. The apparent simplicity belies the skilled hand of the artist. Cicéri, as a stage designer, had to be both a visionary and a practical problem-solver. This drawing is not just a pretty picture, it’s a blueprint for a collective endeavor involving set builders, painters, and ultimately, the audience. Here we see a crucial bridge between the realms of imagination and the business of entertainment. It reminds us that even the most fleeting of spectacles depends on a whole lot of labor and planning behind the scenes.