Vue D’Optique of London.-

Winkler (George Godofried) Prospect Von Koniglichen Mauth in London…, copper engraved print showing a street view along the river thames, with numerous ships in the river and a view of the Tower in the background, for ‘Collection des Prospects’, title in German, French and Backwards, occasional slight staining, 396 x 287 mm, c.1780; Prospect der Kauffmans Halle in der Penchurch Strasse zu London…, copper engraved print showing Ironmonger’s Hall, Fenchurch Street, title in German, French and Backwards, light marginal staining, 260 x 400mm, c.1760; Prospectus Monumenti Erecti in Memoriam Funesti Incendiianno MDCLXVI Londini.…, engraved view of London with the monument commemorating the tragic seventeenth century fire, slight staining and soiling, 424 x 313mm, c.1770 (3)

***Optical prints (or vue d’optique) were made to be viewed in a special apparatus that provided the viewer with an illusion of depth (early 3D). The large mirror employed in the viewing machine showed the image reversed so many of these views have titles and information engraved forward and backwards to facilitate viewing in the machine or by hand. These prints were only produced between 1740 to 1790, before being replaced with the invention of the smaller steroviewer.