Framing a Vue d'optique Print

These "vue d'optique" prints, usually perspective views of city scenes, were a late 18th century version of a 3-D viewer. Of course, they weren't actually seen in 3-D, but when presented in a device with a setup of mirrors (hence the reversed title) and lenses, the viewer had the impression there was something special. Remember, this is in the days before any kind of electronics or cameras! And since these were done prior to color printing, these black and white engravings were hand-colored to make them even more realistic.

 

Note: I forgot to take my photo before putting glass over the frame and mat, leading to not only reflections, but having to skew angle to avoid worse. Things are actually straight and even.

 

Since they were produced in large numbers, scenes are numerous, and they are a 200 year old print category that was so plentiful, interior decorators used them by the dozen in the mid-20th century, not only framing them, but sometimes pasting them on screens, etc. They are still affordable today, but I hope worthy of a bit more respect.

For this one, "Vue du Ponte de la Concorde", I made a frame with applied composition ornament at the corners. After gesso and gilding, it was toned and distressed to match the age of the print.