La perspective curieuse, divisée en quatre livres. Avec l'optique et la catoptrique du R.P. Mersenne, mise in lumiere après la mort de l'autheur. Oeuvre tres-utile aux peintres, architectes, sculpteurs, graveurs, & à tous autres qui se meslent du dessein.

NICERON, Jean François.

Published by the widow of F. Langlois, dit Chartres,, Paris,, 1651

About this Item

Richly illustrated manual on perspective in which for the first time the secrets of anamorphosis and trompe l'oeil are fully revealed by Jean François Niceron (1613-1646), Minim friar, professor in mathematics, and specialist in geometrical optics. The work also contained the first published reference to Descartes's derivation of the law of refraction and it deals with the perspective rendering of geometric objects of unusual shape, with anamorphoses and with the camera obscura. First published in 1638 with 25 plates only, Niceron's work is here heavily enlarged by Roberval, in text, more detail in the already published plates and in 25 extra plates. It is published together with the posthumously published first edition of a scholarly work on optics and catoptics by Marin Mersenne (1588-1648), who is particulary known for his Mersenne primes. In this work, also his major work, Niceron concentrates in four books primarily on the practical applications of perspective, catoptrics, and dioptrics, following the latest theoretical developments, and on the illusory effects of optics, then traditionally associated with natural magic.The added work by Mersenne contains the author s final contributions to optics, including experimental studies of visual acuity and binocular vision, but also a critical discussion of current hypotheses on the nature of light.With some manuscript notes and mathematical diagrams in black ink on the endpapers and the back paste-down, but also throughout the text, and a (later?) drawing of a pig and a gnome (?) with red-brown pencil on one of the endpapers. Also some notes in black ink and with the redbrown pencil in three (?) different hands on plate 32, 44, 45 and 48. Spine slightly rubbed. Some occasional browning, some small stains and one tear on B3 in the second work, all not affecting the plates or text. Otherwise in good condition.l Berlin Kat. 4713 (1638 ed. with 25 plates); Cioranescu 47238 (listed under Mersenne); Poggendorff II, 279; not in Fowler; for Niceron and Mersenne: DSB X, pp. 103 & 316. Contemporary calf, gold-tooled spine, gold double fillet borders on both boards and the spine. With engraved allegorical title page by Daret, full-page engraved portrait of Niceron by Michel Lasne, several woodcut diagrams in text and, bound at the end of the book, 50 engraved plates (1 double-page) with numerous illustrations showing perspective drawings, optical illusions and trompe l'oeil. Pages: [16], 191, [1]; [12], 134 pp. With: (2) MERSENNE, Marin. L'optique et la catoptrique.Paris, the widow of F. Langlois, dit Chartres, 1651. With numerous woodcut illustrations and figures in the text.

Seller Inventory # 5430

Bibliographic Details

• Title: La perspective curieuse, divisée en quatre livres. Avec l'optique et la catoptrique du R.P. Mersenne, mise in lumiere après la mort de l'autheur. Oeuvre tres-utile aux peintres, architectes, sculpteurs, graveurs, & à tous autres qui se meslent du dessein.
• Publisher: the widow of F. Langlois, dit Chartres,, Paris,
• Publication Date: 1651