Design for a Stage Set at the Opéra, Paris 1828 - 1890

Eugène Cicéri created this stage set design for the Paris Opéra using graphite on paper. The drawing presents a vast landscape dominated by mountainous forms in the background, which recede into a hazy distance. Notice how the composition is structured by a delicate grid, perhaps used to scale up the design for the actual stage. The artist skillfully employs line to delineate the contours of the mountains and to suggest the texture of the rocky terrain. The use of shading and perspective adds depth to the scene, creating a sense of spatial recession. The light, ethereal quality of the graphite lends a dreamlike atmosphere, enhancing the theatrical illusion. The drawing is not just a representation of a landscape but a carefully constructed visual space designed to evoke a specific mood. The design thus functions on multiple levels, both as a practical blueprint and as an aesthetic object in its own right.