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

Eugène Cicéri’s “Design for a Stage Set at the Opéra, Paris” is a pencil drawing of a stage set for a dramatic production at the Paris Opera. This drawing demonstrates Cicéri's skill in creating dramatic, theatrical settings, with a towering castle nestled into craggy cliffs. The drawing is on a grid, marking out how the stage set would have been built. This grid is a common feature of theatrical design drawings. Cicéri was a prolific set designer in the 19th century, creating stage sets for both operas and ballets. He created sets for a wide range of productions, from grand operas to comedies, and his work is known for its imaginative use of light and shadow. The drawing, now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is an important example of his work, and highlights the important contributions of theatre design in creating immersive experiences.