Perspective View -
Morocco
Title on Engraving: Vue de la Ville de Mantralle
dans le Royaume de Maroch
SOLD
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!
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