Linear perspective for Year 10.

1. The Theory of Perspective
Year 10
“This perspective is a sweet and noble
thing.”
Paolo Uccello, 15th century Italian artist.

2. Without a knowledge of linear perspective
pictorial space is irregular …
Medieval painting www.wikiart.org

3. … including the relationship of figures
to their context.
Medieval painting www.wikiart.org

4. Linear perspective is an invention of
the Italian Renaissance.
In the early 15th century Filippo Brunelleschi
developed the principles of linear perspective
based upon experiments which he conducted
in front of Florence Cathedral.
The painter Masaccio put these to use in his fresco
of the Holy Trinity in the nearby church of
Santa Maria Novella.
www.wikiart.org

5. One-point perspective … almost completely.
Raphael’s School of Athens www.wikiart.com

6. Two-point perspective by Giorgio de
Chirico.
www.wikiart.org

7. Three-point perspective gives very
dramatic effects.
www.comicvine.com

8. Linear perspective is an illusion.
Linear perspective is an illusion, a trick
useful to artists.
It shows three dimensions
on a two-dimensional surface.
It’s magic! As you can see here, left.
That’s two-point perspective by the way

9. Because it is not real it can be made to
show non-real things.
Escher’s watermill seems to be
in correct perspective but could
not exist –
water does not flow uphill.
www.wikiart.org

10. Correct perspective has been an aim of
animators since the earliest days …
Steamboat Willie
Disney, 1928
www.moma.org www.wikiart.org

11. … and is equally important to modern
video games.
www.princeofpersia.wikia.com