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ArtistThis vintage scientific illustration titled "LICHT" (German for "Light") is a full-page print from a historical textbook, likely from the late 19th or early 20th century, depicting various optical and wave phenomena related to light, polarization, and interference through ten labeled diagrams arranged in a grid layout on a cream-colored background. The top row (Figures 1–3) shows concentric, rainbow-colored axis patterns from birefringent materials: “Achsenbild des Doppelspates” (double spar), “des Quarzes” (quartz), and “des Aragonites” (aragonite), with symmetric interference rings and black cross patterns. The second row continues with more birefringent axis images (Figure 4), and stylized black-and-white interference patterns in polarized glass: “Gekühltes Glas” (cooled glass) and “Gepresstes Glas” (compressed glass) viewed through a polarization apparatus (Figures 5–6), each displaying symmetric loops. Below them (Figures 7–8) is a horizontal color spectrum bar showing light polarization through chromatically polarized gypsum at varying thicknesses, with bands transitioning from violet through yellow to red. At the bottom left (Figure 9), two vertical strips labeled A and B show diffraction patterns: A shows interference stripes from a wire, while B shows a screen with an unbounded right edge. The bottom right (Figure 10) features an elaborate black-and-white moiré-style diagram titled “Interferenz zweier Wellenzüge” (interference of two wave trains), showing intersecting concentric rings radiating from two points to visualize constructive and destructive wave interference. The print credits “F.A. Brockhaus geogr.-artist. Anstalt, Leipzig” at the bottom, identifying the publisher and artist studio behind this refined and scientifically educational artwork.
A vintage scientific illustration in an educational textbook, titled "LICHT" (light) at the top center. The image features a grid of diagrams related to optics and wave phenomena.
The top row presents three circular diagrams, each showing concentric rings in the colors of the rainbow (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet) with a central white dot and black crosshairs. From left to right, these are labeled "Achsenbild des Doppelspates" (axial image of Iceland spar), "des Quarzes" (of quartz), and "des Aragonites" (of aragonite).
Below these, there's a second row of three diagrams. On the left, another rainbow-colored concentric ring diagram similar to the top row, labeled "Gekühles Glas" (cooled glass). To its right, a square diagram with a complex pattern of swirling black and white shapes, featuring a central target-like design, labeled "Gepresstes Glas" (pressed glass). To the far right, a circular diagram with black and white concentric rings, also labeled "Gepresstes Glas" (pressed glass).
Below this row, a long horizontal bar displays a continuous spectrum of colors,
