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

This stage set design was created in Paris by Eugène Cicéri, using graphite and paper. The irregular shape of the paper itself is telling: it is more like a fragment than a finished drawing. Cicéri used graphite to rapidly render a tree-like form, likely as part of a larger composition. The scene has a gothic feel, reminiscent of a ruin. The quick, light marks of the graphite suggest a fleeting idea, recorded for further development. This hints at the intense labor involved in theater production, where numerous sketches and models are made behind the scenes. The cut-out shape implies that this fragment may have been part of a three-dimensional model, a common practice in stage design. Considering the social context, the Paris Opéra was a major site of cultural production, employing countless artisans and designers. Cicéri’s sketch offers a glimpse into this world, highlighting the crucial role of often-unseen labor in creating spectacular theatrical experiences. This work reminds us that even a seemingly simple drawing carries a wealth of information about materials, processes, and the social fabric of its time.