The Magic Lantern
In this work, figures gather in the family parlor around a scene emanating from a magic lantern, an early form of image projection that used hand-painted glass slides, a bright light source, and a lens-based device. Included in the group are three children who react with excitement, one of whom is raised up toward the projection by a nurse. At the lower left is a man with a peg leg who plays music from a serinette, a portable instrument consisting of a barrel organ, to accompany the entertainment. Above him, a young man peeks cautiously from behind the door, his features and clothing suggesting that he is a servant of African descent.
Artwork Details
- Title: The Magic Lantern
- Artist: Auguste Edouart (French, 1789–1861)
- Date: ca. 1835
- Medium: Cut paper and wash
- Dimensions: image: 9 1/2 x 13 3/8 in. (24.2 x 33.9 cm)
sheet: 10 1/4 x 13 1/2 in. (26 x 34.3 cm) - Classifications: Cut Paper, Ephemera
- Credit Line: Bequest of Mary Martin, 1938
- Object Number: 38.145.392
- Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints
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