Theaterdecor voor de derde acte van La reine topaze 1854 - 1858

Eugène Cicéri made this theater décor for the third act of La reine topaze, sometime in the 19th century. This print offers insight into the spectacle of 19th-century French theater. It showcases a lavish interior, complete with ornate decorations, lush greenery, and a group of elegantly dressed figures. The architecture references the great halls of Versailles, reflecting the opulence and grandeur associated with the French aristocracy. In a time of significant social and political change, theater became a place where cultural values were reinforced and challenged. As a set designer, Cicéri played a crucial role in creating the visual landscape that shaped the audience's experience. Studying theater decor like this, alongside playbills, reviews, and other archival materials, allows us to reconstruct the complex cultural world of 19th-century France. It reminds us that art always exists within a specific social and institutional context.