ARTIST: Jean Francois Daumont
PUBLISHER: a Paris chez Daumont Rue St. Martin.
MEDIUM: Copper plate engraving
DATE: c.1765
EDITION SIZE: Image 10 1/4 x 15 5/8" (26 x 39.7 cm)
DESCRIPTION: A scarce "Vue Optique" image of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. As in just about all of the published Optique views this one is somewhat fictitious although the fort in the lower right could well be Fort William & Mary (later Fort Constitution) at the mouth of the Piscataqua River. The artist or engraver usually has scant information of the location to be engraved so they were often quite imaginative, some parts being accurate, some, not so much. The supposed artist is shown in the lower left drawing the scene.<br><br> Vue d'optique (French), vue perspective or perspective view refers to a genre of engraving popular during the second half of the 18th century and into the early 19th. Vues d'optique were specifically developed to provide the illusion of depth when viewed through a zograscope, also known as an optical diagonal machine. Often the title of the print is given in reverse above the image and in normal fashion below. When seen through the zograscope the upper title is reversed as to read correctly.<br><br> Jean François Daumont (fl. 1740-1775) was one of the most prolific creators of vue d'optique in 18th century Paris.
ADDITIONAL INFO:
CONDITION: Good condition save for some overall time-toning and occasional fix mark. Two tiny worm holes, one in lower title margin, the other in the rock which the artist is shown (lower left). Fine original hand coloring.
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