Polychrome Magic Lantern
Louis Aubert (French, nineteenth century)
ca. 1880
Private collection
Precursors of modern cinema, magic lanterns rely on the interaction of mirrors and light to project images on a wall or screen. In the eighteenth century, itinerant men toting magic lanterns on their backs roamed the streets of European cities, attracting audiences who viewed them as both marvelous truth tellers and tricksters peddling empty spectacles. This multicolored lantern by the Parisian manufacturer and shop owner Louis Aubert dates from around 1880 but conjures earlier examples.
The New York Public Library believes that this item is in the public domain under the laws of the United States, but did not make a determination as to its copyright status under the copyright laws of other countries. This item may not be in the public domain under the laws of other countries.
