How were salons entertained in the 18th century?
Over the centuries, human beings have developed a taste for entertainment and a thirst for knowledge. The zograscope first appeared in England around 1745, and remained popular until the 19th century. This optical device, consisting of a biconvex lens, a wooden stand and a mirror tilted at 45°, enabled "spectators" to discover the world through engravings known as "optical views". Representations of exotic places and the architecture of remarkable monuments were very popular, guaranteeing an experience of discovery and escape.
These optical views were etched and then hand-colored, either by the publisher or by the owner of the engraving. To achieve the illusion of depth, engravers had to pay particular attention to straight lines, while taking care to accentuate the horizontal lines of the composition. Textural details and the play of light and shadow were generally not rendered, and only coloring could suggest certain effects.
These illustrations, some of which were printed in thousands of copies, were also sold for their aesthetic qualities alone. Titles, for example, were written both forwards and backwards, so that they could be read with or without an optical device. The publishers' aim was to ensure the widest possible distribution of their products.
Optical views are placed flat, at the foot of the device: the mirror straightens the engraving, while the lens enlarges the image. The effect is one of relief and depth, provided the engraving has been made according to the principles of linear perspective.
print, 1794, Amsterdam, Rijksmuseum. Photo ©Peccadille - Wikimedia Commons
Augsburg, Paris, Bassano and London were the main publishers of these prints. Optical views were being developed at a time of great scientific progress, particularly in the field of optics. Initially appealing to an aristocratic audience, they became part of salon games, like anamorphoses, magic lanterns and shadow puppets, and provided a means of instruction by allowing the viewer to take an imaginary journey. They quickly spread throughout the population, notably via peddlers, who demonstrated them at fairs, markets and village squares. Like cinema today, the zograscope was "a spectacle", a chance to escape from everyday life. Later, the magic lantern, and then photography, would gradually consign it to oblivion.
This unusual object is presented in the Musée Wittert's semi-permanent exhibition "Curiosités & voluptés", where it is possible to try out this device and observe one of the many optical views held by the museum.
