Design for a Stage Set 1830 - 1890

This stage set design was made by Eugène Cicéri in the 19th century, using watercolor and paper. The scene is rendered with great delicacy and detail, and you can almost feel the hand of the artist in the brushstrokes, particularly when you consider it as a full-scale backdrop on stage. The use of watercolor allows for a certain lightness and transparency, evoking a sense of atmosphere and depth. Yet beyond its aesthetic qualities, the design speaks to a broader context of theatrical production and the division of labor inherent in such endeavors. Cicéri’s role as the designer was to envision the scene, but it would have been up to a team of skilled artisans to execute it on a grand scale, translating his vision into a tangible reality for the audience. This design invites us to consider the collaborative nature of artistic creation, and the interplay between individual vision and collective effort.