NICERON, La Perspective curieuse, 1638

NICERON, Jean-François.

La Perspective curieuse ou magie artificielle des effets merveilleux de : L’optique par la vision directe, la catoptrique, par la réflexion des miroirs plats, cylindriques & coniques, la dioptrique, par la réfraction des crystaux.

Paris, Pierre Billaine, 1638.

Folio (350x232 mm), frontispiece, (20)-120-(4) pages and 25 plates (including a double). binding : Contemporary full calf, gilt spine in seven compartments. Copy to be restored. Joints splitted, foxings and waterstains, last plate unbound, cropped in margin.

First edition.
This work is a treatise on optical illusions and anamorphic perspectives, written by Nicéron, a monk of the order of Minims and mathematician of the 17th century. In it, he explores the principles of geometry applied to perspective, in particular the deformations of images that are only correctly revealed from a certain angle or through a mirror.
La Perspective Curieuse is a major work in the history of visual perception and art, influencing both artists and scientists of its time.
The discussion in the fourth part is particularly famous for being the first reference to the law of refraction developed by Descartes that same year.
A title-frontispiece engraved by Daret.

references: DSB [X, 104 : "The discussion contains perhaps the first published reference to Descartes's derivation of the law of refraction (1638) and thus gains some historical significance."].

Price : 2500 €

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