PERSPECTIVEPERSPECTIVE: Outline of Topics

• Definition of perspective

• Empirical linear perspective: Duccio

• One-point perspective: Railroad track; Alberti diagram

• One-point perspective: Masaccio’s Trinity; other Renaissance examples

• Venetian box perspective

• Atmospheric perspective

Definition of PERSPECTIVE:PERSPECTIVE:

Any systematic technique that creates an illusion of depth on a two-dimensional surface.

Techniques could include the use of:

- receding lines (as in linear perspective)

- changes in color

- changes in clarity

(as in atmospheric perspective)

DUCCIO, Annunciation of the Death of the Virgin, from the Maesta altarpiece, 1308-11.

Empirical Linear Perspective

DUCCIO, Annunciation of the Death of the Virgin, from the Maesta altarpiece, 1308-11.

Empirical Linear Perspective

1-point Linear Perspective: parallel lines appearing to converge in distance

1-point Linear Perspective: parallel lines appearing to converge in distance

Alberti on One-point Linear Perspective

Masaccio, The Trinity, c.1425Sta. Maria Novella, Florence

Click here to activate orthogonals:

Review orthogonals:

Donatello, The Feast of Herod, c.1425

Donatello, The Feast of Herod, c.1425

Leonardo da Vinci, Last Supper, c.1495-98 Milan, Sta. Maria della Grazie

Leonardo da Vinci, Last Supper, c.1495-98 Milan, Sta. Maria della Grazie

Raphael, The School of Athens, 1510-11 Vatican Palace, Stanza della Segnatura

Raphael, The School of Athens, 1510-11 Vatican Palace, Stanza della Segnatura

Titian, Venus of Urbino, c.1535

Venetian Box Perspective

Titian, Venus of Urbino, c.1535

Venetian Box Perspective

Venetian Box Perspective

Venetian Box Perspective

Venetian Box Perspective

Alberti on One-point Linear Perspective

Horizon line

Alberti on One-point Linear Perspective

Vanishing point

Alberti on One-point Linear Perspective

Orthogonals

Alberti on One-point Linear Perspective

Orthogonals

Vanishing point

Horizon line

Atmospheric Perspective

Atmospheric Perspective (in addition to 1 - pt. Perspective)

Perugino, Christ Delivering the Keys to St. Peter, c.1481 Sistine Chapel, Vatican

Atmospheric Perspective (in addition to 1 - pt. Perspective)

Perugino, Christ Delivering the Keys to St. Peter, c.1481 Sistine Chapel, Vatican