Design for a Stage Set 1830 - 1890

Eugène Cicéri designed this stage set drawing with pen and brown ink, heightened with white, over graphite. The drawing presents a symmetrical composition, dominated by strong vertical lines of the ship’s mast, balanced by the soft curves of draped curtains at the sides. The interplay of light and shadow creates depth, drawing the eye through the structured foreground into the ethereal background. Cicéri uses precise linework to depict the architectural elements, contrasting with the fluid, almost dreamlike quality of the ship's upper reaches. The structure of this design reflects a concern with spatial organization and theatrical illusion, which reflects how 19th-century stage design sought to transport audiences to imagined worlds through carefully constructed visual environments. The sketch destabilizes the boundary between the real and the representational, inviting viewers to reflect on the constructed nature of perception and reality. Note the formal interplay between line and light which creates a stage for both visual spectacle and intellectual contemplation. This stage set is not only a backdrop but also a philosophical arena, where the very act of seeing becomes a subject of inquiry.