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Camera obscura, 1646
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Camera obscura, 1646
Camera obscura, 1646. A double camera obscura, rather out of scale, showing an image of a man burning in Hell. The image was produced by light from a lamp which travelled down the lens and through one of the movable slides to project the image onto the wall. These demonstrations eventually resulted in the birth of the magic lantern. Plate from Ars Magna Lucis Et Umbrae by Athanasius Kircher, (1646)
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Media ID 14863535
© Oxford Science Archive / Heritage-Images
Athanasius Athanasius Kircher Athanasius Kirchner Burning Camera Obscura Chimney Hell Illusion Innovation Kircher Kirchner Athanasius Lamp Magic Lantern Oxford Science Archive Projector Slide Slide Projector Trick
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures a remarkable moment in the history of technology and entertainment. Taken from Athanasius Kircher's Ars Magna Lucis Et Umbrae, this image showcases a double camera obscura that is quite out of scale. The scene depicted is both intriguing and haunting - it reveals an illusionary projection of a man burning in Hell. The process behind this mesmerizing display involved the use of light from a lamp, which traveled down the lens and through one of the movable slides to project the chilling image onto the wall. These early demonstrations served as precursors to what would later become known as the magic lantern, an innovation that revolutionized visual storytelling. Dating back to 1646, this monochrome photograph offers us a glimpse into the ingenuity and creativity of past centuries. It transports us to an era when slide projectors were yet to be invented but their concept was already taking shape. The attention to detail in capturing every element - from the lighting chimney to intricate slide mechanisms - highlights how technological advancements have always been driven by human curiosity. As we marvel at this seventeenth-century masterpiece, let us appreciate its significance in shaping our modern world. This print serves as a testament not only to Athanasius Kircher's brilliance but also reminds us that innovation knows no bounds across time or discipline.
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