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

Eugène Cicéri created this stage set design for the Paris Opéra using graphite and watercolor. Cicéri was a prominent stage designer in 19th-century France, a time when opera was not just entertainment but a reflection of societal values and imperial fantasies. Consider how opera, then and now, catered to specific audiences, often reinforcing class structures and exoticizing foreign cultures. The depicted landscape, with its blend of familiar and exotic elements, speaks to the way European audiences imagined distant lands. The grid-like structure beneath the watercolor suggests a calculated approach to constructing illusions. Ask yourself: what emotions does this landscape evoke? Does it invite a sense of adventure, or does it reinforce a sense of European dominance over the world? While this design is but a backdrop, it played a role in shaping the audience's perceptions, intertwining art with the socio-political narratives of its time.