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

Eugène Cicéri rendered this stage set design for the Paris Opéra with watercolor and graphite on paper. It’s a seemingly straightforward architectural sketch. Yet, the irregular edges of the paper suggest a process that goes beyond mere representation. Look closely, and you’ll notice how the washes of color and delicate graphite lines define the play of light and shadow, creating a sense of depth and atmosphere. Cicéri was deeply invested in the materiality of theatrical illusion, and he fully understood how his drawings would translate into something much larger. Consider the workers who would have constructed the sets from these drawings, scaling up Cicéri’s design, cutting wood, and painting the scenery. Their skilled labor was essential to bringing the opera to life, a collaborative effort between artist and artisan, blurring the lines between fine art and craft. The image is only part of the story; the real magic happened on stage.