Constantijn huygens and early attitudes towards the camera obscura

Abstract

J'ay chez moy l'autre instrument de Drebbel, qui certes fait des effets admirables en peinture de reflexion dans une chambre obscure; il ne m'est possible de vous en declarer la beauté en paroles; toute peinture est morte aux prix, car c' est icy la vie mesme, ou quelque chose de plus relevé, si la parole n'y manquoit. Car et la figure et le contour et les mouvements s'y recontrent naturellement et d'une façon grandement plaisante. Les Degheyns s'y plaisent merveilleusement, mais nostre cousin Carel s'y enragera. [I have at home Drebbel's other instrument, which certainly makes admirable effects in painting from reflection in a dark room; it is not possible for me to reveal the beauty to you in words; all painting is dead by comparison, for here is life itself or something more elevated if one could articulate it. As one can see, the figure and the contour and the movements join together naturally and in a grandly pleasing fashion. The De Gheyns are marvellously pleased by it but our cousin Carel will be agitated by it.]

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