Castel, Louis BertrandL'optique des couleurs,... Lot 617

Castel, Louis BertrandL'optique des couleurs, fondée sur les simples observations, & tournée surtout à la pratique de la peinture, de la teinture & des autres arts coloristes. With 2 (1 folded) copper plates. Paris, chez Briasson, 1740. XVIII, 487 p., 3 pp. HPgt. d. (somewhat rubbed). Physik - Farbenlehre - Musik Castel, Louis Bertrand L'optique des couleurs, fondée sur les simples observations, & tournée surtout à la pratique de la peinture, de la teinture & des autres arts coloristes. With 2 (1 folded) copper plates. Paris, chez Briasson, 1740. XVIII, 487 p., 3 pp. HPgt. d. (somewhat rubbed). First edition. - DSB III, 114-115 - Poggendorff, I, 394 - Important early book on the combination of color and music by the French mathematician Louis Castel, whose greatest achievement is the invention of the "Clavecin oculaire". His harpsichord had 60 small glass plates that were made to glow when the keys were pressed. Castel hoped that thanks to his instrument's ability to paint sounds, even a deaf listener would be able to enjoy music. - Pp. 300-334 in the lower centerfold. Centerfold waterstained, overall good copy. Physics. Color theory. Music. - First edition. With 2 copper plates. Cont. boards, vellum spine with inked manuscript title. An important early book linking color and music by the French mathematician Louis Castel, whose main claim to fame is the clavecin oculaire. He claimed that thanks to his instrument's capacity to paint sounds, even a deaf listener could enjoy music. - Pages 300 to 334 with water stain in lower white margin.