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

Eugène Cicéri made this stage set design for the Paris Opéra using graphite on paper. The cool grey of the graphite lends itself well to the atmospheric perspective of the forest scene, with the gridlines suggesting the mechanics of its construction. The use of graphite, a relatively inexpensive and readily available material, highlights the practical nature of stage design. It is a medium that allows for quick sketching and easy adjustments. In the 19th century, the Paris Opéra was a grand symbol of bourgeois culture, but behind the scenes, skilled laborers were needed to realize these designs, working to translate Cicéri's vision into a three-dimensional reality. There is a social dimension at play here, contrasting the opulence of the opera house with the labor required to produce it. The sketch then, acts as a blueprint for a collaborative enterprise, linking the artist's hand to the work of many others.