18th Century French - Vue d'Optique

Antiques : Art

 

This original, hand colored, copperplate engraved Vue d'Optique - Vue Du Garde - Meuble Prise De La Place Louis XV - was drawn by Depose and printed by Basset in Paris between 1795 and 1820. This was the period of the "Grand Tour" and these prints acted as a romanticised version of such a journey even though the accurate rendition of a city or building was secondary to the visual effect. The artists and engravers who created these prints rarely had first hand knowledge of the scenes depicted and relied on impressions and their imagination.

The increasingly affluent merchant class in England and Europe sought diversions for their after dinner soirees and this novelty served such a purpose. Publishers kept up a steady stream of new images and these were eagerly purchased. Traveling showmen provided rural populations with an imaginary voyage via the Vue d'Optique pictures.

The Vue d'Optique and its "optical relatives" were practically speaking, the first medium to bring the visible appearance of the wider world to a large European public. Their naivety and decorative content make them a fascinating addition to the repertoire of the printed picture medium --- paraphrased from: Charles Hewitt, 30 Queen Street, Woollahra, 2025, Australia

This large folio print measures 14" X 20" with the hand colored area measuring 9.5" X 15.25". It is in fair to good condition with some paper loss and tears to the margins, along with handling dirt and smudging as would be expected from its heavy use in the 1st half of the 19th century. The print "cleans up" beautifully with the addition of matting as I have suggested in one of the photos.

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Item ID: vue02