DESCRIPTION: The "third wonder of the world". That’s how Probst describes the Egyptian Pyramids in this vue d'optique, made about 1780. This colorful antique view reflects the limited knowledge of a late 18th century European and errs most egregiously in the height to width ratio of the pyramids, of which Probst obviously had no first hand experience. Really quite a theatrical setting. By Georg B. Probst. Folio no. 43.
A vue d'optique is a print was designed to be looked at through a zograscope, a device designed to give an illusion of depth using mirrors and lenses. The image and title at the top of the vue have been transposed left to right. The prints were placed into a view box and for a small price viewers could look through a lens to see the print. Zograscopes were used as entertainment in Georgian times and collections of these prints could be hired for the evening from print sellers.
Georg Balthasar Probst was the most important member of an Augsburg family of artists and publishers. Probst produced about 400 vue's d'optique on varied subject matter.
PUBLICATION DATE: 1780
GEOGRAPHIC AREA: Egypt
BODY OF WATER: N/A
CONDITION: Good.
On heavy laid paper. A tiny bit of wear from handling but without major issues. Stains to right side near margin.
COLORING: Attractive and bright original hand coloring.
ENGRAVER: Probst
SIZE: 16
" x
11 "
ITEM PHYSICAL LOCATION: 88
PRICE: $400
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