Opera (Peep-show)
Classification
toys & games
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Mrs. James Ward Thorne
Accession Number
1937-38-9-b
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Step into the whimsical world of 18th-century entertainment with *Opera (Peep-show, created by German artist Martin Engelbrecht (1684–1756) between 1730 and 1750. Engelbrecht, a prolific engr from Augsburg, was renowned for his intricate prints and novelty items that captured the era's popular amusements. This piece, now in the Smithsonian American Art Museum's (gift of Mrs. James Ward Thorne falls under toys and games, blending artistry with playful interactivity. Peep-shows like this one were handheld optical devices—miniature theaters viewed through a small peephole—offering a magical glim...