Design for a Stage Set 1830 - 1890

This is Eugène Cicéri’s Design for a Stage Set. Cicéri made stage sets for almost every theater in Paris during the 19th century. Stage designs like this reflect the cultural fascination with exotic and distant lands during the height of European colonialism. They offered audiences idealized visions of the world beyond Europe. The inclusion of tents within the set design also raises questions about how nomadic or indigenous communities were perceived and represented on stage. Were they romanticized, or were stereotypes perpetuated through these theatrical depictions? It’s worth considering that stage designs, while seemingly benign, were instrumental in shaping public perception and even justifying imperial endeavors. Ultimately, it is important to remember that theater is an emotional experience, and stage designs are a key part of creating that. They can transport us to another time and place, and they can make us feel things we never thought possible.