An impressive and scarce 1760's copper plate engraving, originally hand colored An historical panoramic view of the Port of Portsmouth, England from the second half of the 18th century It depicts an extensive costal landscape with two horseman in the foreground, a fleet of sailing ships in the harbor and a walled fortress in the background The title under the image is in French: "Vue Perspective du Port de Portsmout, Ville d'Angleterre, dans Hampshire, dans l'isle de Portsey" At the right corner is the reference of the publisher Daumont, rue St Martin, Paris The engraving is made after an oil painting by Augustin Menageot (c.1700-1784) Augustin Menageot (c.1700-1784) was an artist and art dealer born in France, member of the Academie de Saint-Luc in Paris. He spent years in London from 1740-1755, where he began a career as art dealer, which he continued after his return to Paris in about 1755, becoming a well known and highly thought of as an expert in the art market Vue perspective (perspective view) aka Vue d'optique (an optical view) refers to a genre of engravings popular during the second half of the 18th century and into the early 19th. These were specifically developed to provide the illusion of depth when viewed through a zograscope, aka an optical diagonal machine. Jean Francois Daumont, French (fl.1740-1775) was one of the most prolific creators of vue d'optique engravings in the 18th century Paris Circa 1760's - 1770's Printed on wove watermarked paper, fine original hand coloring Measurements: Approx. 16" x 11" the sheet Condition: Very Good overall. Please see photos. Foxing and some wear around the edges, commensurate with age. Possibly cut to around the plate marks.