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

This watercolor design by Eugène Cicéri, dated between 1830 and 1890, depicts a lone tree with twisted branches and a thick trunk. Created for the Opéra in Paris, this design is an example of scenic design for stage sets. The artwork’s irregular sheet, measuring 12 3/16 x 8 1/4 in. (31 x 21 cm), reflects the artist's original sketches and additions to the stage set design. The design utilizes brushstrokes and watercolor wash to capture the texture and detail of the tree, serving as a preliminary sketch to help imagine the grandeur of the stage set. This artwork is housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.