Optical view of Cadiz. ca. 1790
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.
Vuë d'un côté de la Lameda de Cadis.
Item Number: 33140 new Authenticity Guarantee
Category: Antique maps > Europe > Spain and Portugal
Optical view of Cadiz.
Title: Vuë d'un côté de la Lameda de Cadis.
Published according to Act of Parliament 1766.
à Londres chés Wichnyther Et a Paris chez J. Chereau rue st. Jacques au dessus de la Fontaine St. Severin aux 2 Colinnes. N° 257.
Date: ca. 1790.
Copper engraving, printed on paper.
Image size: 225 x 375mm (8¾ x 14¾ inches).
Sheet size: 352 x 535mm (13¾ x 21 inches).
Verso: Blank.
Condition: Original coloured, excellent.
Condition Rating: A+.
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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