Antique Views
Vue Perspective de la Ville de Cadiz du côté du Port
HUQUIER, Jacques-Gabriel (publisher) · Paris · Huquier fils · Mid-18th century
A vue d'optique of Cádiz seen from the harbour, published by Huquier in Paris, in contemporary colour.
FM-0295
€ 350
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Key Properties
Subject: Cádiz from the harbour
Technique: Copper engraving and etching, contemporary hand colour
Size: 272 x 450 mm, with margins
Type: Vue d'optique
Condition
Good condition, a few small tears in the margins (according to the seller).
References & Bibliography
Blake, E. C., 'Zograscopes, Virtual Reality, and the Mapping of Polite Society in Eighteenth-Century England', in: Gitelman & Pingree (eds.), New Media, 1740-1915 (2003).
Füsslin, G. et al., Der Guckkasten: Einblick, Durchblick, Ausblick (1995).
Description
Cádiz seen from the water, with its sea walls, churches and towers, and ships and boats in the harbour. In the eighteenth century Cádiz was the port through which Spain's trade with the Americas passed, and one of the richest cities of Europe.
Jacques-Gabriel Huquier (1730-1805), known as Huquier fils, was one of the Paris publishers of vues d'optique, the brightly coloured perspective views made to be seen through an optical viewer or zograscope. The mirror or lens of the viewer gave the image depth and reversed it, which is why the title is also engraved back to front above the image. Views of the great cities of Europe and the world were a popular entertainment in the second half of the eighteenth century, and Huquier issued a long series from his shop in the rue Saint-Jacques, above the rue des Mathurins.
Historical Significance
An eighteenth-century view of Cádiz at the height of its importance as Spain's gateway to the Americas.