Lithograph print I acquired at auction. Believe it came from a Belgian container.
Lithograph print I acquired at auction. Believe it came from a Belgian container auctioned that day. A Google search identifies the image as "antique print of the French Boarding for the Cayenne Isle Port of Rochefort. The cite is from a Bartelle Gallery. They estimated the piece they had as c. 1780. It states that the print was to be viewed through a zograscope. I also see the same print at oldprintsforsale.com. The dimensions for my image are 11 3/8 inches by 17 3/4. The total framed size is 17 1/4 in x 21 1/4.
The dimensions for my image are 11 3/8 inches by 17 3/4. The total framed size is 17 1/4 in x 21 1/4.
Auction House
Yes
Hello,
Your item is an antique French lithograph print titled “Antique Print of the French Boarding for the Cayenne Isle Port of Rochefort,” estimated to date back to circa 1780. This piece was originally intended for viewing through a zograscope, a device that enhanced depth perception in printed images. The print appears to have been sold through Bartelle Gallery, which provided the historical estimate.
Historical Context:
This print captures a moment of French maritime activity, likely documenting the embarkation or disembarkation of passengers and goods at the Cayenne Isle Port of Rochefort. Rochefort, historically a major naval port in France, was an essential hub for colonial expeditions, particularly those heading to French Guiana (Cayenne). The presence of elegantly dressed figures and barrels indicates a commercial and possibly aristocratic scene. Zograscopic prints like this were highly popular during the 18th century, especially in France and England, where they were used for entertainment and education.
