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

This stage set design was made for the Paris Opéra by Eugène Cicéri, likely using watercolor and pencil on paper. The design gives us a glimpse into the world of theatrical production in 19th-century Paris. Look closely, and you can see the marks of the artist's hand in the expressive strokes of the brush and the delicate lines of the pencil. The relatively quick processes suggest the fast-paced and collaborative world of theater design, where ideas had to be generated and communicated swiftly. The material qualities of paper and watercolor lend themselves to this kind of work. The thin washes of color allow for quick and easy revisions, while the paper provides a lightweight and portable surface for sketching and drawing. This design may have been just one of many produced in the process of creating a full-scale stage set. It's easy to overlook the labor and skill that went into creating these elaborate productions. Designs like this one were essential to the success of the Opéra, and it is important to recognize the artistry and craftsmanship involved in their creation.