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

This ink and watercolor wash by Eugène Cicéri presents a design for a stage set at the Opéra in Paris. The geometric construction suggests scaffolding or architectural framework, elements that often go unnoticed, existing only to support more elaborate, visible components. Consider the arch, a fundamental motif here implied. Its evolution stretches from ancient Roman aqueducts to Gothic cathedrals, each reiteration bearing symbolic weight of strength, support, and transition. In this design, the arch is fragmented, a mere skeleton. The motif echoes the cyclical nature of construction and deconstruction. It reminds me of Piranesi’s etchings of colossal, imaginary prisons, where architectural immensity overwhelms the human figure. Here, the skeletal structure evokes a similar feeling of being dwarfed by the very systems we create. This resonates deeply, stirring primal feelings tied to the tension between stability and impermanence. These structures serve as a stark reminder of the transient nature of human endeavor and the deep-seated anxieties it provokes.