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See more objects with the tag cat, amusement, optical toy, distortion.

Object Timeline

1958

  • We acquired this object.

2015

2024

  • You found it!

Optical Toy, Les Anamorphoses (Anamorphosis), Puss in Boots

This is a Optical toy. It was designed by Walter Frères and published by Jullien. It is dated ca. 1865 and we acquired it in 1958. Its medium is hand-colored lithograph on paper. It is a part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design department.

This distorted image of Puss in Boots is an example of anamorphosis. To see the image in its correct proportions, the viewer would place a cylindrical mirror on the pink circle printed on the card. Viewed in the mirror, the cat regains his natural proportions. Mirror anamorphosis appeared as early as the 16th century. In addition to providing amusement, it was also used to conceal secret or illegal content from the discovery of lawmakers.

It is credited Museum purchase through gift of Norvin Hewitt Green.

Its dimensions are

16.4 × 20.1 cm (6 7/16 × 7 15/16 in.)

Cite this object as

Optical Toy, Les Anamorphoses (Anamorphosis), Puss in Boots; Designed by Walter Frères; Published by Jullien; hand-colored lithograph on paper; 16.4 × 20.1 cm (6 7/16 × 7 15/16 in.); Museum purchase through gift of Norvin Hewitt Green; 1958-85-1-7

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If you would like to cite this object in a Wikipedia article please use the following template:

<ref name=CH>{{cite web |url=https://collection.cooperhewitt.org/objects/18423679/ |title=Optical Toy, Les Anamorphoses (Anamorphosis), Puss in Boots |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=27 April 2024 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>