Design for a Stage Set 1830 - 1890

Eugène Cicéri created this design for a stage set with graphite on paper. The artwork’s layout immediately strikes you with its broad, arching form, like an entrance to a hidden world. The composition is meticulously balanced, with flourishing foliage and figures framing what would be the stage. Above, cherubic figures drape a sinuous fabric, drawing the eye upwards and creating a sense of dynamic movement. Cicéri masterfully employs the medium's tonal range to suggest depth and texture. The varying density of the graphite evokes the softness of the fabric and the density of the vegetation, creating a vivid sense of atmosphere. This stage design reflects broader cultural codes and values. It is a formal exploration of how theatrical space can be imagined and constructed. Consider how the artwork destabilizes established meanings, inviting us into a realm where nature and the human figure merge seamlessly.