Jean-François Daumont (c. 1760) Print of etching of Hotel d'Evreux, full title: "46e Vüe d'Optique Representant Le Jardin et l'Hotel d'Evreux appartenant a Madame la Marquise de Pompadour - Hortus & Palatium Ebroicense Marchionissae D.D. de Pompadour." 

Condition: Spots of discoloration, creasing, foxing. 

Overall Size: 20 1/2 x 14 3/4 in. 
Sight Size: 17 x 11 1/2 in. 
#5067 . 

During the 18th Century, several renowned establishments in Paris, London, Augsburg (Germany), and Bassano (Italy) were specialized in the creation of optical views. Using copper plate engraving on laid paper with watermark heightened the watercolor at that time. These optical views could be viewed alone or through a zograscope, a wooden foot surmounted by a lens which enlarged the image and accentuated the perspective effect. They could also be placed in optical boxes so a spectator could look inside the box through the lens. This distraction was greatly appreciated in the 18th Century in the salons of the bourgeoisie and the nobility as in the countryside thanks to the hawkers, and were the distant predecessors of the zoetrope which appeared in the mid 19th Century. These etchings are nowadays exhibited in museums around the world and extremely appreciated by collectors and decorators for their historical interest and their high decorative value.

This particular view of the Hotel d'Evreux was published by Jean-François Daumont in Paris circa 1760.

Spots of discoloration, creasing, foxing.