Design for a Stage Set 1828 - 1890

Eugène Cicéri created this stage set design using graphite and watercolor on paper. Note the grid, an important structural element that overlays the entire design. This grid acts as an objective framework, a system of control imposed upon the organic forms of the architectural and natural elements depicted. The formal design creates a tension between the constructed world of the stage and the illusion of nature. Consider how Cicéri employed a limited palette, mostly earth tones, punctuated by the occasional use of red and blue. This restrained use of color directs our attention to the meticulous details of the architectural rendering and the foliage, creating a sense of depth and space. The unfinished quality with its torn edges is particularly striking, challenging the traditional notions of a finished artwork. The semiotic relationship between the design and its purpose raises questions about the illusion and reality inherent in theatrical representation.