[Optica Print or Perspective Print with light transmitting punch-holes (Illumination Print)]
Vue d'un ambassade Tartores a la Cours Persane à Isphahan.
France, ca. 1780. Broadsheet (37.5 x 27.0 cm), mounted in frame (53.0 x 44.5 cm).
This is a very rare, contemporary-coloured engraving showing a street scene in the city of Isfahan, Persia (now Iran), with numerous pin-sized punch holes, each covered by thin, coloured paper, rendering the view attractive both in daylight, as well as in darkness, if kept in front of a small light. Optica prints, or perspective prints were popular during the 18th century and early 19th century, until stereoscopes and other viewing devices replaced them. The illumination print (as this one is) is a rare variety of the perspective print. The thin, transparent paper covering several punch holes has perished, but generally a very well-preserved copy.