Paris, 1747. Before an astonished crowd, a tree blossoms, grows, and bears fruit before the eyes of the public... and Jean-Jacques Rousseau himself. A few years later, the illusionist almost completely disappears from history. Who was he really?
This investigation, conducted through Parisian, Dutch, German, and English archives, traces the thread of his pseudonyms—the Peasant, the Polish Master, Mr. Zucker—to unmask, with supporting evidence, one of the most elusive magicians of the 18th century: the peasant from North Holland.
✓ Years of research compiled into a single work
✓ Over 80 richly illustrated pages
✓ Previously unpublished documents released for the first time
The investigation that finally reveals the identity of one of the greatest forgotten illusionists of the 18th century.
Documents released for the first time
Through numerous unpublished documents (manuscript archives, engravings, books, etc.), delve into the life of this renowned artist, now completely forgotten: the peasant of North Holland.
Behind this name, almost erased from memory, lies one of the most famous illusionists of his time. This book finally restores him to his rightful place in the history of magic.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau himself attended one of the performances of The Peasant of North Holland...
A fascinating repertoire
Imagine a tree that grows, flowers, and bears fruit in an instant. A decapitated bird that comes back to life. Automatons capable of captivating crowds. A learned horse defying all logic.
Much more than a book tracing the life of an artist, it is an immersive dive into the world of 18th-century fairs (Paris, Amsterdam, London, ...).
This book is not merely the biography of a forgotten illusionist.
It is a journey into the heart of 18th-century fairs, theaters, and cabinets of curiosities, encountering a magic that already captivated all of Europe.
Why is this book unique?
For nearly three centuries, no one had been able to accurately reconstruct the identity of the mysterious Peasant of North Holland.
This investigation brings together, for the first time, French, Dutch, English, and German archives.
It finally reveals the complete story of one of the greatest illusionists of his time.
