Optical view of Lisbon (Lisboa) - Royal Palace with a view of the main entrance, by G.B. Probst 18th century
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.
Vista y Prospettiva del Palacio del Rey de Portugal, en Lisbona / Vuë du Palais du Roy de Portugal, à Lisbonne / Regis Lusitanorum aula; Olisipponi sive Lixbonae / Prospect des Königl. Portugiesischen Palasts, zu Lisabona.
Item Number: 32539 new Authenticity Guarantee
Category: Antique maps > Europe > Spain and Portugal
Optical view of Lisbon (Lisboa) - Royal Palace with a view of the main entrance, by G.B. Probst.
Title: Vista y Prospettiva del Palacio del Rey de Portugal, en Lisbona / Vuë du Palais du Roy de Portugal, à Lisbonne / Regis Lusitanorum aula; Olisipponi sive Lixbonae / Prospect des Königl. Portugiesischen Palasts, zu Lisabona.
Med.Fol. N° 69 - G.G. Winckler, sc. - Cum Gratia et Privilegio Sac: Caes: Majestatis - Georg Balthasar Probst, excud. A.V.
Date: 18th century
Image size: 170 x 280mm (6¾ x 11 inches).
Sheet size: 220 x 350mm (8¾ x 13¾ inches).
Condition: Original coloured, a few small marginal tears.
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.
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