Optical view of Madrid. ca. 1750
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.
Prospect des Sivade platzes zu Madrid / Vuë de la Fontaine et de la Place Sivade zu Madrid.
Item Number: 32318 Authenticity Guarantee
Category: Antique maps > Europe > Spain and Portugal
Optical view of Madrid.
Title: Prospect des Sivade platzes zu Madrid / Vuë de la Fontaine et de la Place Sivade zu Madrid.
B.F. Leizel sculp.
Se vend à Augsbourg au Negoce comun de l'Academie Imperiale d'Empire des Arts libereaux avec Privilege de Sa Majeste Imperiale et avec defense ni d'en faire ni de vendre les copies.
Engraver: B.F. Leizel.
Date: ca. 1750.
Copper engraving, printed on paper.
Image size: 305 x 410mm (12 x 16¼ inches).
Sheet size: 320 x 440mm (12½ x 17¼ inches).
Verso: Blank.
Condition: Original coloured, small piece torn off in the left margin.
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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