Perspective is a technique used to represent three-dimensional objects and depth on a two-dimensional surface. It was developed during the Renaissance period by artists like Brunelleschi who invented linear perspective. Perspective uses techniques like relative size, converging lines, and vanishing points to create the illusion of depth on a flat surface. There are different types of perspective like one-point, two-point, and three-point perspective that use varying numbers of vanishing points depending on the scene.