Art gallery

Explore some of the paintings and decorative items in the British Optical Association Museum...

  1. The 'inventor' of bifocals?

    The 'inventor' of bifocals?

    US statesman Benjamin Franklin has long been credited with the invention of bifocal spectacle lenses ...

  2. An optical puzzle

    An optical puzzle

    There seems little consensus as to what kind of object is shown as the centrepiece.

  3. A medical professional?

    A medical professional?

    An old man reads the palm of a young soldier in partial armour...

  4. The heaven gazer

    The heaven gazer

    Is everything as it should be in this history painting?

  5. Patron saint of spectacle makers

    Patron saint of spectacle makers

    Saint Jerome, translator of the bible into Latin and accepted since Medieval times as the patron saint of spectacle makers ...

  6. Everyone dies

    Everyone dies

    Pause to reflect on the brevity of life

  7. A negative or positive image?

    A negative or positive image?

    The misers who practise what they preach

  8. Seen this one before?

    Seen this one before?

    Two men are seen counting money, but who are they and why do they look strangely familiar?

  9. A curtain fell upon him

    A curtain fell upon him

    When is a self-portrait not a self-portrait?

  10. A cure handed to you on a plate

    A cure handed to you on a plate

    The patron saint of sufferers from eye disease

  11. Antiques in use

    Antiques in use

    A long-lived eyewear style

  12. This man is short-sided

    This man is short-sided

    Who exactly is this spectacle wearer?