Charles Ponti Megalethoscope

The 'MEGALITOSCOPIO' (in fully original condition) by Charles Ponti is an oversized viewer in which photographs are viewed through a large lens which creates the optical illusion of depth and perspective. The albumen photographs are lit by daylight admitted via a system of opening doors. Ponti and others produced specially prepared photographs for use in the Megalethoscope. The photographs themselves were translucent and were coloured and pierced to create dramatic visual effects, such as using backlighting to create the impression of night time. Included are 20 photographs and lithographs (France, Suisse and Italian images, for example the Louvre, Versailles, Milan Cathedral, etc.) mounted on wooden 30x40cm frames with printed captions on the back.