Title: Débarquement des Troupes Angloises à Nouvelle Yorck – Vue d’Optique by J. Chereau, ca. 1776
This hand-colored copperplate engraving titled “Débarquement des Troupes Angloises à Nouvelle Yorck” (Landing of the English Troops at New York) was published in Paris by Jacques Chereau, rue St. Jacques aux 2 Colonnes, ca. 1776. It belongs to the popular 18th-century genre known as “vues d’optique,” perspective views designed to be viewed through a zograscope, which reversed the image for a three-dimensional effect.
The print vividly depicts the British forces arriving by ship in New York during the American Revolutionary War. Soldiers in bright red and blue uniforms disembark from boats along the bustling harbor, while grand Georgian-style buildings and church spires define the waterfront. The engraved title appears below, with its mirrored counterpart at the top, typical for optical prints intended for reflection viewing. The carefully applied hand coloring in blue, red, and ochre tones enhances the depth and drama of the composition, combining historical documentation with decorative artistry.
Jacques Chereau (1688–1776) was one of Paris’s most prolific print publishers, known for his finely detailed vues d’optique of European and colonial cities. His works catered to the 18th-century fascination with world geography and urban spectacle. Prints like this one served both as entertainment and as an educational record of global events, presenting scenes from America at a time of great geopolitical upheaval.
Condition: Minor age toning and light foxing; some marginal creasing and wear consistent with age; strong coloring and good impression.
Framing tips: Best displayed in a gilded or dark wood frame with a cream or light blue mat to emphasize the maritime tones. For authenticity, consider floating the sheet on an acid-free mount to show the plate mark and full margins.
Technique: Hand-colored copperplate engraving (vue d’optique) Maker: Jacques Chereau, Paris, circa 1776
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