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

This stage set design for the Paris Opéra was made by Eugène Cicéri using watercolor and gouache on paper. These materials lend themselves to atmospheric effects, which Cicéri exploits to full advantage. Notice how the washes of color create a sense of depth and drama. The texture of the paper itself becomes part of the design, adding a subtle, almost dreamlike quality. This wasn't just about depicting a scene; it was about creating a mood. Cicéri worked as a stage designer during a time when the opera was a major industry, employing thousands of people, from set painters to costume makers to stagehands. Designs like this one were crucial for coordinating the efforts of these workers, ensuring that the final production would transport audiences to another world. We can appreciate the skills and labor that went into these elaborate productions and understand the cultural significance of opera in 19th-century Paris.