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

Eugène Cicéri drafted this design for a stage set at the Opéra in Paris sometime in the 19th century using graphite on paper. The design seems to reflect the grandeur and spectacle associated with the Parisian opera scene, a space that has historically been a microcosm of societal structures. Think about who would have been in the audience for such performances. The opera provided a space for the elite to see and be seen, reinforcing class distinctions through both the performance on stage and the social rituals off stage. It’s a world of both artistic expression and social stratification. Consider the labor behind the scenes, the many workers who made the sets and costumes. The Opéra was more than just a place of entertainment, it was a site where social hierarchies and economic realities played out in very real terms. This is reflected in the architecture of the stage set, both concealing and revealing at once.