In the 17th century, scientists, educators, and philosophers used the magic lantern—a device that can project images on a wall or screen—as an instrument. But when the device got into the hands of showmen and conjurers, it became a form of popular entertainment, frightening and thrilling audiences for hundreds of years. To learn more about this proto-cinematic instrument, an actual magic lantern show was given by collector Richard Balzer. Extraordinary images from hand-painted glass slides were projected onto a 40-foot screen by a 19th-century magic lantern. This program was offered in conjunction with the special exhibition “The Philosophy Chamber: Art and Science in Harvard’s Teaching Cabinet, 1766–1820” (May 19–December 31, 2017). TAKE A CLOSER LOOK: + SPECIAL EXHIBITION/The Philosophy Chamber: https://www.harvardartmuseums.org/philosophychamber + Magic Laterns in the Richard Blazar Collection: https://www.dickbalzer.com/Magic_Lanterns.201.0.html + VIDEO/"Inside the Richard Balzer Collection," Museum of Fine Arts Boston: https://www.mfa.org/exhibitions/phantasmagoria/inside-the-richard-balzer-collection --- Major support for the exhibition was provided by the Terra Foundation for American Art and the Henry Luce Foundation. Recorded June 13, 2017, Menschel Hall, Harvard Art Museums. © President and Fellows of Harvard College. Video: Casey Preston. For questions related to permission for commercial use of this video, please contact the Department of Digital Imaging and Visual Resources at am_divr@harvard.edu.