Science & Education · 18th century
€ 570
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Slight age toning and faint vertical fold marks; small margin imperfections; strong impression with bright and even hand coloring.
Pont Marie and Pont Rouge in Paris – Hand-Colored Optical View, ca. 1770
This charming hand-colored copperplate engraving titled “Le Pont Marie et le Pont Rouge à Paris” (The Pont Marie and the Red Bridge in Paris) depicts an animated view of the Seine River and the bustling quays of 18th-century Paris. Created as a 'vue d’optique' around 1770, it was designed to be viewed through a zograscope or optical box, which reversed the image to enhance its sense of perspective and depth.
The composition presents a sweeping panorama of the Île Saint-Louis, seen from the Right Bank. The graceful Pont Marie bridge spans the Seine, while lively figures stroll along the embankment, horse-drawn carriages cross the quay, and small boats and barges glide across the water transporting goods. In the distance, the distinct rooftops and church spires of Paris rise above the riverside architecture, their facades rendered with delicate precision. The clear blue sky and vivid hand coloring—in tones of turquoise, red, ochre, and blue—create a scene full of light and urban vitality.
These optical views were highly popular in Europe during the 18th century, serving both as entertainment and as visual souvenirs of great cities. This example, with its inscription “Vue du Pont Marie et du Pont Rouge à Paris,” captures the elegance of pre-Revolutionary Paris and the busy life along its waterways.
Condition: Slight age toning and faint vertical fold marks; small margin imperfections; strong impression with bright and even hand coloring.
Framing tips: A light gilt or ebonized frame with a cream mat complements the crisp architectural lines and pastel hues. Floating the print within the frame highlights the plate mark and the wide margins.
Technique: Hand-colored copperplate engraving (vue d’optique)
Maker: Daumont, Paris, circa 1770
