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

Eugène Cicéri designed this stage set for the Paris Opéra using graphite and watercolor on paper. The architecture is heavy, evoking a sense of somber drama. The most striking motif is the receding archway, which lures the eye into a darkened interior. This architectural element has its roots in ancient Roman theaters, spaces designed for grand spectacle and communal catharsis. The archway's symbolic power has echoed through time, appearing in Renaissance paintings as gateways to divine encounters, and in Romantic landscapes as portals to the sublime. Consider how the archway, throughout art history, serves as a threshold— a liminal space inviting the viewer into realms both visible and unseen. It touches something deep within us, stirring subconscious associations with entrances, passages, and the unknown. As you reflect on it, sense its psychological pull.