CAMERA LUCIDA Meaning and
Definition
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Camera Lucida is an optical device used in the visual arts to aid in accurate and realistic drawing. The term "camera lucida" translates from Latin as "light chamber." It consists of a prism or a combination of mirrors that directs the passage of light from the subject being observed through an eyepiece to the artist's eye. The device creates a superimposed image of the subject on the artist’s drawing surface, allowing them to trace or sketch the image with precise proportions and details.
Originating during the early 19th century, the camera lucida was a revolutionary tool for artists and illustrators, enabling them to achieve more lifelike depictions of their subjects. By projecting an image directly onto the drawing surface, artists could accurately represent objects or scenes with greater ease and accuracy. The camera lucida was particularly useful for capturing and reproducing intricate details, perspective, and proportions.
However, it is important to note that the camera lucida is not a camera or a photographic device but an optical instrument that aids in observation and replication. While it facilitated the process of drawing, it still required the artist's skill and interpretation. Although the camera lucida fell out of popularity in the late 19th century with the advent of photography, it continues to be of interest to artists and historians today, both as a practical tool and as a symbol of the evolving relationship between art and technology.
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An instrument for so reflecting distant landscapes on paper, &c., as to allow them to be sketched.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for CAMERA LUCIDA
- xamera lucida
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Etymology of CAMERA LUCIDA
The term "camera lucida" is derived from Latin, combining two words: "camera" meaning "chamber" or "room", and "lucida" meaning "light" or "bright". The phrase was first used in the 17th century to describe an optical device that allowed artists to trace images from real-life scenes onto paper or canvas. The camera lucida consists of a prism or mirror arrangement mounted on a stand, which reflects the image of the subject onto a sheet of paper or canvas, enabling the artist to accurately reproduce what they see.
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