Optical toy - Optica prent - 1750-1800 - Optical view

Day and Night view of the church St Martin in the fields in London. This print dates back to around 1775 and is 250 years old. These beautiful etched or engraved prints were usually hand colored. Some of them are even made to be illuminated. The contours of the fountains were cut out and behind is an other sheet with water and fountain streams. To be viewed in Day and Night vision. When held in front of the light you get the illusion of a city or landscape by night, like a magic lantern projection. The print is set on card board and the size is 44 x 29 cm