Cosmorama

A cosmorama is an exhibition of perspective pictures of different places in the world, usually world landmarks. Careful illumination and lenses are used to give the images greater realism.

Cosmorama was also the name of an entertainment in 19th century London, at 207-209 Regent Street, at which the public could view scenes of distant lands and exotic subjects through optical devices that magnified the pictures. It was later converted into an exhibition of curiosities named the Prince of Wales Bazaar. Exhibits included a sea lion, a sea serpent and L. Bertolotto's Flea circus.

Adjective: Cosmoramic. Source: Rowe's Illustrated Cheltenham Guide 1845 (sic, not 1850) which, describing Pittville Pump Room, invites visitors at first floor level "to inspect a series of Cosmoramic Views arranged with considerable effect in a separate apartment."

Note: Vanderlyn's painting, shown below, has always been considered a panorama, not a cosmorama.

Cosmorama of Chateau Versailles (1819-1818), once in City Hall Park, New York City, now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art
Cosmorama of Chateau Versailles (1819-1818), once in City Hall Park, New York City, now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art
Cosmorama of Chateau Versailles (1819-1818), once in City Hall Park, New York City, now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art

See also