Optical prints (or vue d’optique) were made to be viewed in a special apparatus that provided the viewer with an illusion of depth (early 3-D). The large mirror employed in the viewing machine showed the image reversed so many of these views have the titles and information engraved forward and backwards to facilitate viewing in the machine or by hand. These prints were only produced for a short period of time (1740 to 1790) and then were replaced with the invention of the smaller steroviewer. These views are some of the most distinctive and interesting images of the eighteenth century, and their distinctive engraving style, striking perspective and bright original color makes them as visually delightful as they are historically fascinating.

This fantastical view depicts a lakeside boulevard in Mexico City. Within the lake are chinampas, artificial islands of arable land used to grow crops in shallow lake beds. Boats ferry crops to and from the floating islands. The scene also includes a plaza, church towers, a monument topped with an eagle, and a strange rock formation with a viewing platform on top, all of it more reflective of the European imagination than the reality of the city. Engraved by Huquier.

References:

Condition: A

On watermarked paper with a light dampstain at bottom right that is not visible in engraved image. There is a minor crease in the lower left blank margin.