In Carter's version of the sawing illusion, the stage was set as an operating-theatre and the attendants were dressed as nurses. Charles Joseph Carter performed the sawing illusion in this surgical setting on his world tours, playing Australia, India and China. The Otis Lithograph Company of Cleveland, Ohio produced Carter the Great posters. The Chinese script on this sheet points to one of his Asian engagements.
On the poster
A smiling female assistant in a short blue satin costume stands full-length against a deep cobalt-blue ground. To her right, three compact vignettes show the surgical staging: a woman reclining on an operating-table attended by figures in striped uniforms, and the separated lower body on a second table below. Six Chinese characters in amber gold sit at the top right. The lower panel reads "NOT A MOVING PICTURE.
AFTER THE OPERATION. 100 OTHER MODERN MIRACLES."
About this print
A digitally restored reproduction, printed on 200gsm Enhanced Matte Fine Art paper with pigment inks.





