This cultural history traces the evolution of the mirror from antiquity to the present day, illustrating its journey from miraculous wonder to commonplace object. Drawing on rich sources of history, art, literature and philosophy, the author recounts the story of the mirror as one of discovery and invention, commerce and intrigue. Melchior-Bonnet reveals our enduring fascination with reflection by looking at the works of a wide variety of writers and painters including Dante, Flaubert, Henry James, Durer, Van Eyck, Leonardo and Magritte.

This engaging and witty cultural history traces the evolution of the mirror from antiquity to the present day, illustrating its journey from wondrous object to ordinary trinket. With its earliest invention, the mirror allowed us to gaze upon ourselves, bestowing a power both fascinating and terrifying.