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

Editor: So, this is Eugène Cicéri's "Design for a Stage Set at the Opéra, Paris," created sometime between 1830 and 1890 using watercolor, colored pencil, and print. It feels quite fantastical to me, almost dreamlike. How would you interpret this work? Curator: What immediately strikes me is the context of its production. Consider the materials: watercolor and colored pencil are easily transportable and quick to use, reflecting perhaps the pace of theatrical production. The "print" aspect also begs questions. Was it a reproduction for wider circulation, or integrated directly into the design process, like a collage element to pre-figure how it might come alive on the actual set? Editor: That's interesting. I hadn't thought about the practical side of creating stage sets back then. Curator: Absolutely! Stage design in this period wasn't just about aesthetics. Think about the labor involved – the craftsmen building these sets, the people sourcing the materials. Were these materials sourced locally or were they imported? These choices are tied to larger systems of trade and industry during the height of Parisian opera. Editor: So, you’re saying even the choice of watercolor tells us something about the production itself? Curator: Precisely. Compared to, say, oil paints which requires much more labor. Also notice how this isn't presented as high art, carefully framed in a gallery setting. This work had a utilitarian purpose tied to labor. What can it tell us about how entertainment was produced and consumed? Editor: I never considered how much the materiality informs our understanding. It makes me think about who benefited from the final product, and how different that would have been for the people making the set design versus wealthy opera attendees. Curator: Exactly. Seeing the design as a product of its specific time and the labor behind it enriches our viewing experience beyond just aesthetics. Editor: Well, I definitely see it in a new light now, as more than just a pretty picture. Thanks!