The Carnival of Venice (Peep-show)
Classification
toys & games
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Mrs. James Ward Thorne
Accession Number
1937-38-8-e
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Step into the vibrant world of 18th Europe with *The Carnival of Venice (Peep-show, a delightful optical toy crafted by German engraver Martin Engelbrecht (1684–1756). between 1730 and1750, this intriguing piece belongs to the Smithsonian American Art's collection of toys and games, gifted by Mrs. James Ward Thorne Peep-shows like this one invited viewers to peer through a small lens at intricate paper scenes layered for a mesmerizing illusion of depth, blending artistry with playful technology. Engelbrecht, renowned for his miniature prints and popular entertainments, captured the exuberant ...