Grand View of Tsarskoye Selo Palace St. Petersburg – Optical Print c.1780

About this sheet

Russian imperial palace view – hand coloured optical print c. 1780

Attractive 18th-century optical print (vue d’optique) depicting a grand view of the Russian Tsarskoye Selo palace near St. Petersburg, also known as the Catherine Palace. The print shows the monumental baroque façade with its richly decorated golden domes and long pink-and-white elevations, seen from across a broad parade ground with figures, elegant carriages, and gate pavilions in the foreground.

Title below in multiple languages, including German and French:
*Russischer Kaiserliches Sommer Schloss bey St. Petersburg / Savoieskofsky Palais d’Eté de l’Empereur vu dans de Petersbourg.*

These perspective views were popular in the late 18th century for use in zograscopes or peep shows to create a 3D effect. This impression is beautifully hand coloured with bright pinks, blues, and ochre, typical of optical prints of this era.

Maker: Anonymous, published in Augsburg, circa 1780
Technique: Copper engraving with period hand colouring
Paper: Laid paper, wide margins, blank verso

Condition:
Excellent impression with vivid original colouring. Some mild edge toning and small tears to outer sheet edges not affecting the image. Slight waviness near top margin from prior mounting. Overall well preserved for its age.

Framing suggestions:
Display floated with a neutral ivory or light grey archival mat to accentuate the pastel tones, in a gold leaf or dark wood moulding for a classic presentation.

Keywords:
Tsarskoye Selo optical view, Catherine Palace print, Russian imperial palace engraving, vue d’optique Petersburg, 18th century peep show print Russia, antique architectural perspective engraving