| Method | Copper engraving |
| Artist | Denis Diderot and Jean le Rond d'Alembert |
| Published | [A Paris. Avec Approbation et Privilege Du Roy. c.1751-1772] |
| Dimensions | Image 232 x 160 mm, Plate 255 x 185 mm, Sheet 292 x 220 mm |
| Notes |
A depiction of 'Figures of White Magic,' Plate 8 in a series of illustrations of magic tricks and illusions from the Encyclopédie, ou dictionnaire raisonné des sciences, des arts et des métiers. The 17 boxed vignettes show materials and skills needed for the execution of a variety of magic and sleight of hand tricks. Encyclopédie was a general encyclopaedia published in France between 1751 and 1772, with later supplements, revised editions, and translations. It had many writers, known as the Encyclopédistes. It was edited by Denis Diderot and, until 1759, co-edited by Jean le Rond d'Alembert. The Encyclopédie is most famous for representing the thought of the Enlightenment. According to Denis Diderot in the article "Encyclopédie", the Encyclopédie's aim was "to change the way people think". He and the other contributors advocated for the secularisation of learning away from the Jesuits. Diderot wanted to incorporate all of the world's knowledge into the Encyclopaedia and hoped that the text could disseminate all this information to the public and future generations. It was also the first encyclopaedia to include contributions from many named contributors, and the first to describe the mechanical arts. Condition: Minor time-toning to edges of the sheet. Small wormholes to top and bottom right corners, without loss to plate or image. |
| Framing | unmounted |
| Price | £50.00 |
| Stock ID | 43963 |