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

Eugène Cicéri created this stage set design for the Opéra in Paris with graphite on paper. The work immediately strikes us with its fragmented form, an irregular silhouette that barely contains the graphite markings within. Cicéri used a combination of freehand sketching for the upper organic shapes contrasting with the geometric precision of the grid structure, to create an unstable visual field, reflective of the transient nature of theatrical design. The use of line becomes paramount here, where the gestural strokes suggesting foliage play against the sharp, architectonic lines that imply the structure of a building. The paper support itself is treated as part of the composition, its irregular edges and subtle tonal variations contributing to the drawing's overall effect. The visible grid introduces a system of order, reminiscent of structuralist frameworks where underlying patterns govern surface appearances. The interplay of organic and geometric elements, together with the incomplete rendering, disrupts expectations of classical stage design. This challenges conventional notions of space and representation, inviting us to question the constructed nature of reality within the theatrical experience.