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

Eugène Cicéri created this stage set design for the Opéra in Paris using graphite on paper. A delicate grid underlies the sketch, organizing its complex architectural forms. The cool grey of the graphite lends the design a ghostly, ethereal quality, evoking the ephemeral nature of stagecraft itself. The composition emphasizes verticality, drawing the eye upward along the spires and intricate details of the building's facade. Cicéri's skillful use of line creates depth and perspective, inviting us into the imagined space of the stage. The sketch engages with ideas of representation and illusion, questioning the boundaries between reality and artifice. Notice the delicate balance between precision and spontaneity in the artist's hand. This tension reflects a broader cultural interest in capturing both the structure and the feeling of a scene. As you contemplate this drawing, consider how the formal qualities of line, space, and composition function as a framework for theatrical illusion and cultural meaning.