Probst, The Walls of Babylon, 1760, Paper

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Les Murailles de Babylone – Vue d’Optique of Ancient Babylon by Probst c.1760 This vivid hand-colored optical print titled Les … Read more Les Murailles de Babylone – Vue d’Optique of Ancient Babylon by Probst c.1760 This vivid hand-colored optical print titled Les Murailles de Babylone offers a dramatic imaginary view of the ancient city of Babylon, once one of the greatest metropolises of Mesopotamia. At the center of the scene is a circular walled fortress surrounded by a broad river, likely representing the Euphrates, while ships glide along the water and people bustle in the foreground and distant streets. 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 published around 1760 by Georg Balthasar Probst in Augsburg, Germany. Designed for use with a zograscope—a viewing device with a convex lens and mirror—such prints gave the illusion of three-dimensional depth when seen through the device. Probst’s workshop specialized in producing these perspective views, which were popular in Enlightenment Europe among audiences curious about geography, antiquity, and global wonders. Although the representation of Babylon in this image is fanciful, it captures the awe and mystery associated with this legendary city, home to the Hanging Gardens—one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World—and to architectural marvels such as the Ishtar Gate and ziggurats. Optical prints like this one were not meant to be historically precise but instead aimed to entertain and educate through exotic and theatrical visions of distant lands. Condition summary: Fine condition overall. Strong hand-coloring and clear impression. Minor age-toning and occasional light foxing, mainly in the margins. Paper remains robust with some creases in the middle, but no tears or repairs. Framing tips: Best displayed in a deep or shadowbox-style frame, ideally in dark wood or gold, to echo the grandeur of the subject. Use a neutral-toned mat to bring out the vibrant color. UV-protective glass is recommended to preserve the original pigments. See less