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18th Century Optique Prints

Vue d’Optique of the King’s Cavalry and Saint Paul’s Basilica, 18th Century
Vue d’Optique of the King’s Cavalry and Saint Paul’s Basilica, 18th Century

Vue d’Optique of the King’s Cavalry and Saint Paul’s Basilica, 18th Century

Located in Savannah, GA

A pair of vue d’optiques of the Revue du Roy Cavalerie and St. Paul’s a Rome in eglomise glass frames, late 18th century. frame: 22 by 17 inches; other slighly smaller

Category

Antique 18th Century Prints

Materials

Glass, Wood, Paper

Set of 6 Vue d’Optique Prints – Story of Joseph in Egypt, Hand-Colored, c.1770
Set of 6 Vue d’Optique Prints – Story of Joseph in Egypt, Hand-Colored, c.1770

Set of 6 Vue d’Optique Prints – Story of Joseph in Egypt, Hand-Colored, c.1770

Located in Langweer, NL

Published circa 1770 in Augsburg by Georg Balthasar Probst (1732–1801), one of the leading creators of perspective prints in 18th-century Europe, these works were originally designed...

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Antique Late 18th Century Prints

Materials

Paper

Constantinople Harbor Vue d’Optique by Jacques Chéreau, c.1760
Constantinople Harbor Vue d’Optique by Jacques Chéreau, c.1760

Constantinople Harbor Vue d’Optique by Jacques Chéreau, c.1760

Located in Langweer, NL

An especially desirable feature is the reversed title printed along the upper edge, intended to appear correctly when reflected through the viewing apparatus — a hallmark of authenti...

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Antique Mid-18th Century French Prints

Materials

Paper

Batavia Castle Church Courtyard – Vue d’Optique, Indonesia c.1770
Batavia Castle Church Courtyard – Vue d’Optique, Indonesia c.1770

Batavia Castle Church Courtyard – Vue d’Optique, Indonesia c.1770

Located in Langweer, NL

Optica View of Batavia Castle Church Courtyard, Indonesia, c.1770 This is an original 18th-century hand-coloured optical print depicting the inner courtyard of Batavia Castle (Kaste...

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Antique 18th Century German Prints

Materials

Paper

Joseph and Pharaoh – Antique Vue d’Optique by Probst, c.1770
Joseph and Pharaoh – Antique Vue d’Optique by Probst, c.1770

Joseph and Pharaoh – Antique Vue d’Optique by Probst, c.1770

Located in Langweer, NL

This 18th-century optical print was produced in Augsburg around 1770 by renowned publisher Georg Balthasar Probst (1732–1801), one of the most prolific creators of such prints during...

Category

Antique Mid-18th Century German Prints

Materials

Paper

Hand-Colored Vue d’Optique of the Harbour of Havana, Cuba, circa 1770
Hand-Colored Vue d’Optique of the Harbour of Havana, Cuba, circa 1770

Hand-Colored Vue d’Optique of the Harbour of Havana, Cuba, circa 1770

Located in Langweer, NL

As you gaze upon this optical print, let yourself be transported to the harbour of Havana in the 18th century, marveling at the architectural splendor and the bustling life of this h...

Category

Antique Late 18th Century Prints

Materials

Paper

Les Murailles de Babylone – Vue d’Optique of Ancient Babylon by Probst c.1760
Les Murailles de Babylone – Vue d’Optique of Ancient Babylon by Probst c.1760

Les Murailles de Babylone – Vue d’Optique of Ancient Babylon by Probst c.1760

Located in Langweer, NL

Grand architecture, temples, towers, and monuments fill the horizon, combining ancient inspiration with 18th-century European imagination. This vue d’optique, or optical view, was p...

Category

Antique Mid-18th Century Prints

Materials

Paper

Grand View of Tsarskoye Selo Palace St. Petersburg – Optical Print c.1780
Grand View of Tsarskoye Selo Palace St. Petersburg – Optical Print c.1780

Grand View of Tsarskoye Selo Palace St. Petersburg – Optical Print c.1780

Located in Langweer, NL

Russian imperial palace view – hand coloured optical print c. 1780 Attractive 18th-century optical print (vue d’optique) depicting a grand view of the Russian Tsarskoye Selo palace ...

Category

Antique Late 18th Century German Prints

Materials

Paper

Optica Print of Joseph Sold by His Brothers to Ishmaelites, 1770 -Biblical Scene
Optica Print of Joseph Sold by His Brothers to Ishmaelites, 1770 -Biblical Scene

Optica Print of Joseph Sold by His Brothers to Ishmaelites, 1770 -Biblical Scene

Located in Langweer, NL

Keywords: Joseph and Ishmaelites, Probst optical print, 18th-century Augsburg print, vue d’optique, biblical illustration, Joseph Old Testament art, hand-colored religious engraving,...

Category

Antique Mid-18th Century German Prints

Materials

Paper

Optica Print of Joseph Relating His Dream to His Brothers, 1770 – Biblical Scene
Optica Print of Joseph Relating His Dream to His Brothers, 1770 – Biblical Scene

Optica Print of Joseph Relating His Dream to His Brothers, 1770 – Biblical Scene

Located in Langweer, NL

Keywords: Joseph biblical print, optical print, vue d’optique, Augsburg Probst, hand-colored engraving, 18th-century religious art, antique storytelling print, Baroque biblical scene...

Category

Antique Mid-18th Century German Prints

Materials

Paper

Optical Print of Joseph Thrown into a Pit by His Brothers, 1770 - Biblical Scene
Optical Print of Joseph Thrown into a Pit by His Brothers, 1770 - Biblical Scene

Optical Print of Joseph Thrown into a Pit by His Brothers, 1770 - Biblical Scene

Located in Langweer, NL

Keywords: Joseph and his brothers, optical print, vue d’optique, Augsburg print, Probst engraving, 18th-century biblical art, Joseph in the pit, hand-colored religious print, antique...

Category

Antique Mid-18th Century German Prints

Materials

Paper

Optica View The Hague Nieuwe Voorhout from the Bos, c.1770
Optica View The Hague Nieuwe Voorhout from the Bos, c.1770

Optica View The Hague Nieuwe Voorhout from the Bos, c.1770

Located in Langweer, NL

The engraving is richly hand-colored in green, red, blue, and ochre tones typical of mid- to late-18th-century vues d’optique. Optica prints (vues d’optique) were perspective engrav...

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Antique 1770s European Prints

Materials

Paper

Hand-Colored Optical View of Delft Canal, The Hague by G.J. Probst, 1781
Hand-Colored Optical View of Delft Canal, The Hague by G.J. Probst, 1781

Hand-Colored Optical View of Delft Canal, The Hague by G.J. Probst, 1781

Located in Langweer, NL

The engraving portrays people on foot, in carriages, and boats, providing a lively view of 18th-century Dutch life. "Vue d’optique" prints like this one were meant to be viewed with...

Category

Antique 1780s Prints

Materials

Paper

Recent Sales

18th Century Vue D’optique Hand-Colored Engraving of Gaapers Bridge, Rotterdam
18th Century Vue D’optique Hand-Colored Engraving of Gaapers Bridge, Rotterdam

18th Century Vue D’optique Hand-Colored Engraving of Gaapers Bridge, Rotterdam

Located in Boston, MA

18th century Vue d’Optique hand-colored engraving of Gaapers Bridge, Rotterdam. Custom frame.

Category

Antique Late 18th Century French Prints

Materials

Glass, Wood, Paper

18th Century Vue d’Optique Hand-Colored Engraving of a Vue de Pondichery
18th Century Vue d’Optique Hand-Colored Engraving of a Vue de Pondichery

18th Century Vue d’Optique Hand-Colored Engraving of a Vue de Pondichery

Located in Boston, MA

18th century Vue d’Optique hand-colored engraving of a Vue de Pondichery dans les Indes Orientales Custom frame.

Category

Antique Late 18th Century French Prints

Materials

Glass, Wood, Paper

Pair of 18th Century French Vue D'Optiques
Pair of 18th Century French Vue D'Optiques

Pair of 18th Century French Vue D'Optiques

Sold

H 15.5 in W 20.75 in D 0.75 in

Pair of 18th Century French Vue D'Optiques

Located in Doylestown, PA

Pair of late 18th century hand-colored French Vue d’Optiques, “Vue du Chateau de St. Germain en Laye,” and “Le Jardin et le Palais du Luxembourg a Paris,” framed.

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Antique Late 18th Century Directoire Prints

Materials

Paper

Suite of Twenty French 18th Century Hand Colored Vue d'Optique Etchings
Suite of Twenty French 18th Century Hand Colored Vue d'Optique Etchings

Suite of Twenty French 18th Century Hand Colored Vue d'Optique Etchings

Located in Baton Rouge, LA

A suite of twenty hand colored Vue d’Optique etchings, depicting various cityscapes and interior views of European cities. Some included are the Royal Palace of Hampton Court, Ruspol...

Category

Antique 17th Century French Prints

Materials

Paper

A Hand Colored Probst Vue d’optique Engraving of the Royal Palace in Berlin
A Hand Colored Probst Vue d’optique Engraving of the Royal Palace in Berlin

A Hand Colored Probst Vue d’optique Engraving of the Royal Palace in Berlin

By Georg Balthasar Probst

Located in Alamo, CA

A framed 18th century copper-plate hand colored Vue d'optique engraving entitled: "Veue du Palais du Roy a Berlin" (The royal palace of the Prussian Kings in Berlin as it looked in t...

Category

Late 18th Century Other Art Style Landscape Prints

Materials

Engraving

A Hand Colored Engraving Probst View d'optique of the Royal Armory in Berlin
A Hand Colored Engraving Probst View d'optique of the Royal Armory in Berlin

A Hand Colored Engraving Probst View d'optique of the Royal Armory in Berlin

By Georg Balthasar Probst

Located in Alamo, CA

These views are some of the most distinctive and interesting images of the eighteenth century. The value of these rare Vue d’optique prints have been escalating of late as collectors...

Category

Late 18th Century Other Art Style Landscape Prints

Materials

Engraving

Set of Six French Copper Engraved and Hand-Colored Vue D'optique Prints
Set of Six French Copper Engraved and Hand-Colored Vue D'optique Prints

Set of Six French Copper Engraved and Hand-Colored Vue D'optique Prints

Located in valatie, NY

Set of six mid-18th century French copper engraved and hand-colored Vue D'Optique prints.

Category

Antique Mid-18th Century French Rococo Prints

Materials

Paper

A Pair of Hand Colored Probst Vue d’optique Engravings of Berlin Architecture
A Pair of Hand Colored Probst Vue d’optique Engravings of Berlin Architecture

A Pair of Hand Colored Probst Vue d’optique Engravings of Berlin Architecture

By Georg Balthasar Probst

Located in Alamo, CA

A pair of identically framed 18th century copper-plate hand colored Vue d'optique engravings entitled: "Veue du Palais du Roy a Berlin" (The royal palace of the Prussian Kings in Ber...

Category

Late 18th Century Other Art Style Landscape Prints

Materials

Engraving

18th Century Vue d’Optique Hand-Colored Engraving of the Grand Canal, Venice
18th Century Vue d’Optique Hand-Colored Engraving of the Grand Canal, Venice

18th Century Vue d’Optique Hand-Colored Engraving of the Grand Canal, Venice

Located in Boston, MA

18th century Vue d’Optique hand-colored engraving of the Grand Canal, Venice Custom framing.  

Category

Antique Late 18th Century French Prints

Materials

Glass, Wood, Paper

Set of Twelve Framed 18th Century Vue D'Optique Coloured Engravings
Set of Twelve Framed 18th Century Vue D'Optique Coloured Engravings

Set of Twelve Framed 18th Century Vue D'Optique Coloured Engravings

Located in London, GB

A Set of 12 framed 18th century Vue D'Optiques copper plate engravings with various views of Europe to include London, Paris and The Hague. With handmade mounts in '18th century'...

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Antique Late 18th Century French Louis XV Prints

Materials

Paper, Wood

Set of Twelve 18th Century Vue D'optique in Painted Frames
Set of Twelve 18th Century Vue D'optique in Painted Frames

Set of Twelve 18th Century Vue D'optique in Painted Frames

Located in London, GB

Copper plate engravings with excellent original hand coloring. Various European views. Poland, Seville, Versailles, Rome, Boudreaux, Bilbao.

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Antique Mid-18th Century European Louis XV Prints

Materials

Paper

Set Of Twelve French 18th Century Vue D'Optiques In Painted Frames
Set Of Twelve French 18th Century Vue D'Optiques In Painted Frames

Set Of Twelve French 18th Century Vue D'Optiques In Painted Frames

Located in London, GB

Set of twelve French 18th century Vue D'Optiques in painted frames.

Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier French Louis XVI Prints

Hand-Colored Engraving Vue d'Optique, French Harbor Scene 18th Century
Hand-Colored Engraving Vue d'Optique, French Harbor Scene 18th Century

Hand-Colored Engraving Vue d'Optique, French Harbor Scene 18th Century

Located in Pittsburgh, PA

Vue d'Optique on paper of 18th century harbor scene, finely detailed and colored.

Category

Antique 1790s French Louis XVI Prints

Materials

Paper

Set of 12 French 18th Century 'Vue D'Optique' Engravings in Painted Frames
Set of 12 French 18th Century 'Vue D'Optique' Engravings in Painted Frames

Set of 12 French 18th Century 'Vue D'Optique' Engravings in Painted Frames

Located in London, GB

Copper plate engravings with good original colour. Various land, city and seascapes of Europe. (France, Italy and England). Hand framed and hand painted in gessoed timber frames.

Category

Antique Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Prints

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18th Century Optique Prints For Sale on 1stDibs

There is a range of 18th century optique prints for sale on 1stDibs. Each of these unique 18th century optique prints was constructed with extraordinary care, often using paper, wood and glass. 18th century optique prints have long been popular, with older editions for sale from the 17th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 18th Century. There are many kinds of 18th century optique prints to choose from, but at 1stDibs, Louis XV, Louis XVI and Neoclassical 18th century optique prints are of considerable interest. 18th century optique prints have been a part of the life’s work for many furniture makers, but those produced by Georg Balthasar Probst are consistently popular.

How Much are 18th Century Optique Prints?

Prices for 18th century optique prints can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, 18th century optique prints begin at $300 and can go as high as $12,250, while the average can fetch as much as $1,800.

Finding the Right Prints for You

Prints are works of art produced in multiple editions. Though several copies of a specific artwork can exist, collectors consider antique and vintage prints originals when they have been manually created by the artist or are “impressions” that are part of the artist’s intent for the work.

Modern artists use a range of printmaking techniques to produce different types of prints such as relief, intaglio and planographic. Relief prints are created by cutting away a printing surface to leave only a design. Ink or paint is applied to the raised parts of the surface, and it is used to stamp or press the design onto paper or another surface. Relief prints include woodcuts, linocuts and engravings.

Intaglio prints are the opposite of relief prints in that they are incised into the printing surface. The artist cuts the design into a block, plate or other material and then coats it with ink before wiping off the surface and transferring the design to paper through tremendous pressure. Intaglio prints have plate marks showing the impression of the original block or plate as it was pressed onto the paper.

Artists create planographic prints by drawing a design on a stone or metal plate using a grease crayon. The plate is washed with water, then ink is spread over the plate and it adheres to the grease markings. The image is then stamped on paper to make prints.

All of these printmaking methods have an intricate process, although each can usually transfer only one color of ink. Artists use separate plates or blocks for multiple colors, and together these create one finished work of art.

Find prints ranging from the 18th- and 19th-century bird illustrations by J.C. Sepp to mid-century modern prints, as well as numerous other antique and vintage prints at 1stDibs. Browse the collection today and read about how to arrange wall art in your space.

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