Visual archaeology

The projector used in the Laterna Magica Galantee Show was made around 1880, during the great era of magic lantern shows. Its basic technology dates back to the 17th century, and possibly even earlier.

In the 18th century, the magic lantern performer was a familiar figure in almost every European city. This itinerant "savoyard" carried a magic lantern on his back, often accompanied by an assistant with a hand-organ. His show, called the "Galantee Show," was named after his cry, “galante so!” or “galante show,” meaning “fine performance.” In response to this call, local people would invite him into their homes to perform, offering a hot meal or a few pennies in return. The slides, often primitively painted, depicted popular stories. When projected by the lantern, the images appeared as if by magic on the wall, while the lanternist or his assistant provided the necessary commentary.

The period from 1840 to 1910 is considered the heyday of the magic lantern. Toy shops sold a wide variety of lanterns and slides for home projection in the drawing room. As the magic lantern's popularity and commercialization grew, the figure of the galantee showman gradually faded from view.

Larger and more sophisticated devices were introduced, and stronger light sources made it possible to project in large auditoriums. By using lanterns with two or three lenses, performers could dissolve one image into another. In the 19th century, with the rise of popular entertainment, magic lanterns became precursors to cinema. Slides with moving parts created special effects. Popular novels were presented through narrated slide shows, and science was taught to both professionals and amateurs using projected images. Musicians often accompanied these popular entertainments, which could include surveys of historic places, short parables, religious spectacles and Gothic horror shows.

The magic lantern remained popular well into the 20th century, only fading as cinema took over. It persisted in the form of school slide shows and is still the inspiration behind modern PowerPoint presentations.

In summary, the magic lantern played a crucial role in shaping the landscape of visual media. It influenced cultural practices, educational methods, and political communication, paving the way for future technological advancements in image projection and storytelling. The magic lantern was not just an entertainment device but also a powerful tool that changed how people perceived and understood the world around them.

The Laterna Magica Galantee Show successfully turns back the clock, delivering performances that continue to amaze even modern audiences.