Myriorama
Myriorama of Italian scenery, 1824.
The Myriorama was invented in France in c.1823 by Jean-Pierre Brés. The idea is that many different panoramic landscapes may be created by laying a set of illustrated cards in any order. The publisher Samuel Leigh employed artist John Heavside Clark (c. 1771–1863), to create Myrioramas for the English market. The example shown here is of Italian scenery.
Above: Myriorama of Italian scenery, produced by John H. Clark, published by Samuel Leigh, 1824. 24 elongated cards in box. Images courtesy Shirley Ashman.
The game was known under the name of Myriorama; it consisted of up to thirty-two cards presenting fragments of landscapes drawn in such a way that the various pieces could connect indiscriminately with each other; after scrambling the pieces, compositions more or less pleasing could be made at random. As all the parts of trees, rocks, and clouds fitted together perfectly, each person could create a scene according to their taste. Thus it was a form of patience.
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By Simon Wintle
Member since February 01, 1996
I am the founder of The World of Playing Cards (est. 1996), a website dedicated to the history, artistry and cultural significance of playing cards and tarot. Over the years I have researched various areas of the subject, acquired and traded collections and contributed as a committee member of the IPCS and graphics editor of The Playing-Card journal. Having lived in Chile, England, Wales, and now Spain, these experiences have shaped my work and passion for playing cards. Amongst my achievements is producing a limited-edition replica of a 17th-century English pack using woodblocks and stencils—a labour of love. Today, the World of Playing Cards is a global collaborative project, with my son Adam serving as the technical driving force behind its development. His innovative efforts have helped shape the site into the thriving hub it is today. You are warmly invited to become a contributor and share your enthusiasm.
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