Design for a Stage Set at the Opéra, Paris 1828 - 1890

This is a preliminary design for a stage set at the Opéra in Paris by Eugène Cicéri, created sometime between 1828 and 1890. The drawing is a delicate sketch, showing a distant landscape with hills, trees, and a body of water in the distance. The light, airy lines suggest a theatrical backdrop, and the scene is likely intended to evoke a sense of romantic grandeur. Cicéri was a prolific stage designer, known for his work on grand operas and ballets in the 19th century, and this drawing offers a glimpse into the creative process behind his impressive work. The drawing, which currently resides in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, is a wonderful example of the theatrical design of the period.