Perspective view of Philadelphia. 18e eeuw
Optical View (French: Vue d'optique)
An optical view is a type of 18th-century hand-coloured engraved print to be viewed through a special optical device. It depicts architectural, city, or landscape scenes and is designed to give a strong illusion of depth and perspective when seen through a magnifying lens or viewing box. Characteristic of an optical view is the reversed inscription: The titles or captions were often printed backwards, because the viewing device used a mirror that would flip the image right-side up again. The artists enhanced depth with bold converging lines and bright colours. The optical views were used for popular entertainment and education, a way for people to "travel" visually. They originated in France and England around the 1740s and became fashionable across Europe. They were often sold by travelling print sellers or displayed in fairs and parlours.
Vue de Philadelphie.
Item Number: 28216 Authenticity Guarantee
Category: Antique maps > America > North America
Old, antique view of Philadelphia. Shows men in boats and ships along the waterfront in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Title: Vue de Philadelphie.
Philadelphia. Die Haupt Stadt in der Nord-Americanischen Provinz Pensylvanien, sie ist vom William Penn (dem Caroll II König in Engelland, die ganze Provinz geschencket hatte) im Jahr 1682. zwischen 2. Schiffreichen Flüssen angelegt und deswegen Philadelphia genen, net worde, weil die Einwohner in Brüderlicher Einigkeit daselbt lebe sollen.
Philadelphie. La Ville Capitale de Pensylvanie, Province Nord-Américaine, William Penn, à qui Charles II Roi d'Angleterre donna cette Province entière la planta en 1682 entre deux fleuves navigables et l'apella Philadelphie, parceque les habitans y vivoient dans une Harmonie fraternelle.
Se vend à Augsburg au Negoce comun de L'Academie Imperiale d'Empire des Arts libereaux avec Privilege de Sa Majesté Imperiale et avec Défense ni d'en faire de vendre les Copies.
Gravé par Balth. Frederic Leizelt.
Engraver: Balth. Frederic Leizelt..
Copper engraving, printed on paper.
Size to plate marks (not including margins, including title and bottom text): 320 x 425mm (12.6 x 16.73 inches).
Verso: Blank.
Condition: Original coloured, a few stains.
Condition Rating: B+.
Separate publication.
Optical View (French: Vue d'optique)
An optical view is a type of 18th-century hand-coloured engraved print to be viewed through a special optical device. It depicts architectural, city, or landscape scenes and is designed to give a strong illusion of depth and perspective when seen through a magnifying lens or viewing box. Characteristic of an optical view is the reversed inscription: The titles or captions were often printed backwards, because the viewing device used a mirror that would flip the image right-side up again. The artists enhanced depth with bold converging lines and bright colours. The optical views were used for popular entertainment and education, a way for people to "travel" visually. They originated in France and England around the 1740s and became fashionable across Europe. They were often sold by travelling print sellers or displayed in fairs and parlours.
