Optical view of the Montserrat Abbey in Catalonia, by Mondhard. ca. 1770
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.
Louis-Joseph Mondhare (alias "Mondhard") (1734-c.1799)
L.J. Mondhare was active in Paris by about 1759 as an engraver and publisher of maps and prints, especially “vues d’optique” (optical views).
Vue général du Mont Serra en Espagne.
Item Number: 32389 new Authenticity Guarantee
Category: Antique maps > Europe > Spain and Portugal
Optical view of the Montserrat Abbey in Catalonia, by Mondhard.
Title: Vue général du Mont Serra en Espagne.
A Paris chez Mondhard rue S Jacques.
Date: ca. 1770.
Copper engraving, printed on paper.
Image size: 220 x 395mm (8¾ x 15½ inches).
Sheet size: 325 x 500mm (12¾ x 19¾ inches).
Verso: Blank.
Condition: Original coloured, two printers creases, hand writing in upper 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.
Louis-Joseph Mondhare (alias "Mondhard") (1734-c.1799)
L.J. Mondhare was active in Paris by about 1759 as an engraver and publisher of maps and prints, especially “vues d’optique” (optical views).
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