Lisbon by Benjamin Cole. 1760
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.
A general view of the city of Lisbon, the capital of the Kingdom of Portugal as it stood on the North side of the river Tagus or Tajo before the late earthquakes, on November 1.st & 8.th 1755
Item Number: 32283 Authenticity Guarantee
Category: Antique maps > Europe > Spain and Portugal
View of Lisbon by Benjamin Cole.
Title: A general view of the city of Lisbon, the capital of the Kingdom of Portugal as it stood on the North side of the river Tagus or Tajo before the late earthquakes, on November 1.st & 8.th 1755
Engraved for the Geographical Dictionary.
B. Cole sculp.
Date: 1760.
Copper engraving, printed on paper.
Image size: 170 x 280mm (6¾ x 11 inches).
Sheet size: 220 x 350mm (8¾ x 13¾ inches).
Verso: Blank.
Condition: Hand-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.
