When was camera obscura used

Inventory Number: This object is quite magical. This particular one is about years old and folds away into a wooden carry case.

It would have been used by a draughtsman for making sketches of scenes, such as landscapes or architecture, and was especially useful for capturing perspective.

Above a rather theatrical-looking curtain that encloses the darkened chamber is a large lens mounted in a wooden panel. This captures light from the scene, projecting it onto a mirror which is held at a degree angle behind it.

The mirror reflects the rays of light onto a piece of paper or canvas laid out horizontally on the base inside the wooden box. First one to do so was Alhazen also known as Ibn al-Haytham in 11th century. He was a scientist, mathematician, astronomer and philosopher, he wrote the Book of Optics and, among other things, he invented camera obscura and pinhole camera.

At about the same time, Chinese scientist Shen Kuo experimented with a camera obscura. He described it geometrically and even used it explain some effects that were mentioned couple centuries ago but were attributed to the geographic characteristics of the area.

As described by Roger Bacon, English philosopher, camera obscura was used in 13th century for safe observation of sun eclipse. Arnaldus de Villa Nova, an alchemist, astrologer and physician, used camera obscura at the same time as a projector for entertainment. Artists started using camera obscura in 15th century. The subject could then be traced. This mechanical means of recording images is known to have been employed by Canaletto. The Delft artists Fabritius and Vermeer may also have experimented with it.

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