Vue of a Chinese Temple
Title on Engraving: "Vue d'un Temple
Chinois - Le Grande Kia-cheu de la Chine, ou
Teple des dieux, prepare pour le Sacrifice soemnel,
que les Chinois celebrent pour leur Ancetres,
le 14 de la Lone dÁoust, on y voit les
portraits des defunts....etc"
This handcolored copperplate engraving dates
to the late 18th Century (circa 1780 or 1790).
Perspective Views (vue perspective,
vue d'optique or in German, Guckkastenblättern)
were meant to be seen with a special viewer
to enhance the three dimensional effect. They
were very popular in the 18th and 19th centuries.
They were designed according to strict principles
of linear perspective, with a distant object
placed in the center of the print, as is the
case with this example. Viewed through a special
"machine," the three dimensional effect
was enhanced. The colors of these wonderful
old prints are often bright and naive, as for
children's illustrations. Traveling vendors
-- who went around to fairs offering views of
the images through the Optical Machine for a
few pennies -- often did the handcoloring themselves,
so it tends to be a bit rough compared with
other period engravings. In our view this adds
to the charm of these pieces!
View of A Chinese Temple --
Probably imagined by someone who had never been
in China, the architecture looks more like French
Baroque!
Dimensions: 20.5 X 14 inches
Condition: Some light soiling and spotting
of sheet.
More Perspective Views
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