Paper peepshows were an early eighteenth-century form of entertainment. A miniature theater set, each card acts as a backdrop, creating a dynamic, detailed composition. Martin Engelbrecht (1684-1756) was a German artist and publisher credited with popularizing these works. Though peepshows were heavily influenced by stage design, non-theatrical subjects were regularly presented in a theatrical way. Common depictions were scenes of everyday life, biblical imagery, and most popular, works depicting eighteenth-century catastrophes. La Fortress et villa de Havane depicts a naval battle scene. Six cards are attached to a board base, and likely would have been viewed with a peep-box. 

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Major treatment concerns: 

• The unoriginal paper tabs connecting each card are beginning to detach. Some tabs are causing the cards to delaminate. 

• To view the peepshow, the back card has to pulled back, causing stress on that particular part of the peepshow. Alternative ways to view the object are being considered. 

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The purpose of this treatment is to stabilize the cards of the peepshow, and ideally, to restore functionality to the object.