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

Eugène Cicéri made this stage set design for the Paris Opéra using graphite on paper. The Paris Opéra, as an institution, was a cultural powerhouse in 19th-century France, reflecting and shaping social tastes. This sketch gives us a glimpse into the world of theatrical design, but it also reveals the Opéra's role in constructing social identity. How did stage design contribute to the narratives being presented? What kind of experience did these sets create for audiences? Cicéri's design is itself a cultural artifact, shaped by the aesthetic preferences and technical possibilities of its time. The Opéra played a significant role in defining French national identity and projecting cultural power. To truly understand this work, we need to delve into the archives, exploring not only the design itself, but also the social and political context in which it was created and consumed. The history of art depends on understanding the social and institutional conditions that made its creation possible.