ANAMORPHOSCOPE (Fr., Anarnorphoseope ; Ger., Anamorphoskop) A cylindrical convex mirror for reflecting the image of a distorted drawing and restoring it to its proper proportions. Concave or convex mirrors distort images in a singular manner, and produce very interesting effects. Anamorphoses constitute particular objects belonging especially to the lass of experiments relating to cylindrical mirrors. They are images made according to determined rules, but so distorted that, regard ing them fixedly, only confused strokes can be distinguished. When they are seen reflected in the curved mirrors, they present, on the contrary, a perfectly regular appearance. In other words, an anamorphose is a distorted diagram, the cor rected image of which can be seen in the mirror of the convex anamorphoscope. It may be said that distorted copies of photographs suitable for inspection in an anamorphoscope may be pre pared in the following manner : Procure an optically worked cylindrical concave mirror large enough to reflect a half-plate photograph. Place the photograph in a horizontal position upon a table, and place the mirror at right angles thereto, keeping it vertical. On looking into the mirror from a given position, a distorted image of the photograph will be seen. This image may
now be photographed by placing a camera lens at the point previously occupied by the eye, a position to be discovered by experiment, and which will, of course, depend upon the curvature of the mirror in use and the focal length of the camera lens. The resultant photograph will bear no apparent resemblance to the original ; but if viewed in a convex cylindrical mirror whose curvature corresponds to the curvature of the concave mirror, a true copy of the original photograph, in miniature, will be seen. The order of things may be reversed with equally true results. In taking photographs of this character it is important so to arrange the lighting that the original photograph receives full illumination, while the mirror is well shaded.
A curious effect may be produced by taking a photograph with a plate placed very obliquely to the axis of a lens or pinhole, the latter being preferable. The image is of course terribly distorted, but upon being viewed from a position similar to that occupied by the lens it will appear correct. A portrait painted in this style may be seen in the National Portrait Gallery, London.