(Florence Baptistery)
The building in this picture is the Florence Baptistry and is iconic of liner perspective. It’s octagonal shape and the decorative striping provide many opportunities for perfecting the art of perspective. This building was used as a model for Fillippo Brunelleschi to create theories and procedures for perspective drawing (Brunelleschi’s Peepshow and the Origins of Perspective).
"‘The Presentation at the Temple’ by Gentile di Fabriano (1423). Although the depth evocation is effective, the projection lines fail to converge to a single vanishing point in any area of the picture.” (Leon Battista Alberti) In the painting The Healing of Cripple and Raising of Tabitha we see a sophisticated advance in perspective by Masolino (Science and art of perspective). Here, one can see the careful way in which Masolino brings this two part image together with excellent perspective, all converging to one vanishing point on the horizon (Science and art of perspective).
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Early perspective art and its painters
Even after Brunelleschi’s findings and Alberti’s book, perspective still eluded even some of the best of painters. For example, Gentile di Fabriano, a talented and respected artist was unable to use one point perspective (the central theme of linear perspective). In The Presentation at the Temple, Fabriano uses several points as vanishing points, as demonstrated by the lines on the image (Science and art of perspective). This shows a basic lack of understanding of liner perspective. "'The Healing of the Cripple and the Raising of Tabitha’, by Masolino (1425). Note the accurate central convergence of structures from the front of the canvas to the far distant background.” (Masolino)
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Some of our most beloved and most recognizable paintings are models for early perspective panting. The Last Supper by Leonardo Da Vinci is a wonderful example of the subtle importance of correct perspective. The hall that Christ and his disciples dine in retreats into the background bringing the viewer's attention to the center of the table where Christ sits with his head at the center of the vanishing point. Thus creating the effect of rays streaming from him. That is, everything in the painting is coming from and ending with him (Getlein, Mark).
(Leon Battista Alberti) |
Another iconic image that uses one point perspective cleverly is The School of Athens by Raphaello Sanzio. It symbolizes the revival of the Greek classics, art, and science during the Renaissance. It has images of some of the greatest minds of that time. In the center Plato and Aristotle are framed by arches and all around are others from their schools of thought (Getlein, Mark). In a huge hall with flawless perspective, crowds of philosophers, poets, scientists, and with statues of gods above them form a school that spans time and space. This is a beautiful representation of the ideals of the Renaissance, combining the new fresco style, perspective and light techniques for the new appreciation of the classical world (Ancient Worlds).
(Leon Battista Alberti)