Palatium Pamphilu et area Navona in Romea , 17 Vue D’Optique Representant, Le Palais de Pamphilius et la Place de Navone a Rome.

Vue Optic of Piazza Navona, Rome with Fontana del Nettuno in the foreground, Fontana dei Fuimi in the centre and the church of Sant’Agnese in Agone to the right.

The Fontana del Nettuno as it exists today was completed in 1878 by Antonio della Bitta, who added the sculpture of Neptune fighting with an octopus, and Gregorio Zappalà, who created the other sculptures, based on the mythological theme of the “Nereids with Cupids and walruses”.  

During the C18th vue d’optiques became extremely popular in England and Europe. They capitalised on a market eager for the latest novelty. They were specifically designed to create the illusion of perspective when viewed with a zograscope or perspective glass. These viewing devices used a series of reflecting mirrors to enhance the illusion of depth in the print, creating a veritable “view” for the onlooker.