Vue d'optique

Vue d’Optique, Mondo Nuovo, Prospect Views and Perspectives are types of engravings extremely popular in the 18th c., easy to identify thanks to their distinctive features, namely a horizontal layout, a deepened perspective and very strong colours with a special liking for bright reds, blues, greens and yellows.These features were dictated by the function of the engravings as they were meant to be viewed through an optical apparatus with synchronized lenses, magnifying glasses and mirrors. Seen though such a device, the engravings gained 3-dimentional qualities, creating an illusion of depth in the eyes of the viewers. The most popular topics of such engravings, usually made in the copperplate or etching technique, were views of famous places, panoramas of cities and depictions of well-known residences.These topics made them a type of educational and tourist attraction as they enabled the viewers to admire pictures of far-away countries and their wonders. With time they became so popular and widespread that they formed an inherent part of local festivities and markets. For a nominal fee anyone could get acquainted with the charms of the Vatican gardens or the Doges’ Palace in Venice. Most of the engravings were often full of simplicity and naivety as their faithfulness to the original gave way to visual attraction. Nevertheless, throughout the 18th c. prospect views remained a popular souvenir among travellers in Europe. Perhaps the optical illusion helped memories of the visited sights revive more clearly. Possibly the items from the Wilanów collection had also been purchased as souvenirs; if so, it is right to assume that once upon a time there must have been a viewing device in the palace premises.