Design for a Stage Set at the Opéra, Paris: Landscape Looking Toward Rome 1830 - 1890

This stage set design was made in Paris by Eugène Cicéri, using graphite and gray wash on paper. Notice the texture and tone achieved with these simple materials. Graphite, being a form of carbon, allows for a range of silvery-grey tones, from the soft haze of the distant skyline of Rome, to the starker lines defining the ruins in the foreground. The gray wash adds depth and atmosphere, suggesting the warm, humid air of the Italian landscape. Cicéri was a master of theatrical illusion, but also deeply knowledgeable about architectural construction. Look closely at the scaffolding and the carefully rendered stonework. It speaks to the labor involved in both building and demolition, reflecting the social context of 19th-century Paris, where grand spectacles were a form of popular entertainment. The skill in this artwork lies not just in its aesthetic appeal, but also in its material and its making. By carefully choosing his media, Cicéri was able to create a convincing illusion of reality, while also hinting at the complex social and economic forces that shaped his world.