Design for a Court Theatre 18th century

This is an anonymous design for a court theater, rendered in pen, ink, and watercolor wash on paper. The drawing offers a glimpse into the world of European courts, where theater was a tool to display power and solidify social hierarchies. With its classical figures and ornate decorations, this design embodies the splendor that was characteristic of courtly life. The architecture seems to declare that only certain bodies, usually wealthy aristocrats, are welcome to the stage. What does it mean to perform in such a space? The design almost seems to suggest that you can't escape your assigned role. The design offers a fixed script, where everyone knows their place, both on and off the stage. But within those constraints, what possibilities for creativity and resistance might exist? What happens when unexpected identities show up on stage? This design provides a revealing look at the relationship between power, identity, and performance. It asks us to consider who gets to perform, who gets to watch, and what stories get told in the spaces we create.