The Claude Glass: A Historical Perspective

The Claude Glass was a compact tool used by 19th-century British tourists, allowing them to view landscapes through a reflective black surface, turning natural vistas into artistic images. Similar to modern social media filters, this device were used to simplify color palettes and create an idealized representation of the landscape, enhancing the viewer's perception of it. The craze for such devices emerged as people's appreciation for landscape paintings grew, prompting them to desire a picturesque experience of real landscapes that often fell short of the artistic ideal. This historical example highlights the enduring human inclination to seek out augmented or filtered realities, a trend that continues with today's technologies.