Synonyms
Definition
The camera obscura was a simple astronomical tool that evolved into an important optical instrument in the seventeenth century. During its development, the camera obscura generated various philosophical discussions about perception and image formation.
The Camera Obscura
The term “camera obscura” can refer to any dark place in which a projected image is visible. In its simplest form, the camera obscura is merely a dark room with a single aperture. When light falls through this aperture, it will project an image on the opposite wall of the room. This phenomenon can take place naturally, and descriptions of its accidental occurrence go back to antiquity. The camera obscura became intentionally used as an instrument by Renaissance astonomers. Leonardo da Vinci, for example, described it and the first known illustration of the camera was published by Gemma Frisius. Astronomically, the camera was used to produce images of the sun, especially...
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
References
Chen-Morris R (2016) Measuring shadows: Kepler’s optics of invisibility. Penn State University Press, University Park, PA
Dupré S (2008) Inside the camera Obscura: Kepler’s experiment and theory of optical imagery. Early Sci Med 13:219–244
Kemp M (1990) The science of art: optical themes in western art from Brunelleschi to Seurat. Yale University Press, New Haven
Lefèvre W (ed) (2007) Inside the camera Obscura – optics and art under the spell of the projected image. Max Planck Institute for the History of Science, Berlin
Malet A (2005) Early conceptualizations of the telescope as an optical instrument. Early Sci Med 10:237–262
Pantin I (2008) Simulachrum, species, forma, imago: what was transported by light into the camera Obscura? Early Sci Med 13:245–269
Shapiro AE (2008) Images: real and virtual, projected and perceived, from Kepler to Dechales. Early Sci Med 13:270–312
Steadman P (2001) Vermeer’s camera: uncovering the truth behind the masterpieces. Oxford University Press, Oxford
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Section Editor information
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2020 Springer Nature Switzerland AG
About this entry
Cite this entry
van Besouw, J. (2020). Camera Obscura. In: Jalobeanu, D., Wolfe, C. (eds) Encyclopedia of Early Modern Philosophy and the Sciences. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-20791-9_51-1
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-20791-9_51-1
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-20791-9
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-20791-9
eBook Packages: Springer Reference Religion and PhilosophyReference Module Humanities and Social SciencesReference Module Humanities