Worksheet 6: Renaissance perspective 2 - Provides Information and activites relating to the use of perspective in Renaissance Art.

Ten years later, Masaccio applied the new method of mathematical perspective even more spectacularly:

1. In this fresco of the "Holy Trinity", where the barrel vaulted ceiling is incredible in its complex, mathematical use of perspective.
2. Lines following Masaccio's actual geometric framework are overlaid to make clear the structure of the perspective itself.
3. From the geometry it is actually possible to work backwards to reconstruct the full volume in measured accuracy of the 3-dimensional space Masaccio depicts

1. 2. 3.

Masaccio. Holy Trinity.

The rules of perspective

One point perspective

The simplest form of perspective is one point perspective. It presumes a single Point, which all others move towards. It Is like looking down a straight road as far as you can see, lines which we know are parallel seem to converge on a single point known as the Vanishing Point. We can see this in the picture of the Agora in Athens. (Below)

View of the Agora

To draw in one point perspective, draw a horizon line and draw a vanishing point anywhere on the horizon. Lines which are parallel in real life are drawn to intersect at the vanishing point.

All lines travel to the vanishing point in both these drawings.

Distant figures appear smaller but have the same shape and proportions as they would close up.

Two point perspective

This is all very fine if you are looking at a thing face on down a corridor, but what if you are facing the edge of something? This is where 2 point perspective comes in.

We are now looking at an object from slightly above and we can see more of the object in question, giving an even stronger sense of its 3-dimensional form.

By lowering or Horizon Line, we can alter our view of the object to make it seem to loom over our viewers. It is important to remember that the horizon line is always at the level of your eyes, regardless of whether yo are looking from above or below an object.

Piranesi used this technique to great effect in his drawing "Fantasy on a Magnificent Triumphal Arch"-1765.

Giovanni Battista Piranesi, Fantasy on a Magnificent Triumphal Arch, 1765

Can you find where the horizon and vanishing points are?

Exercises

1. Find 4 Renaissance paintings which show single point perspective as their dominant construction element. Sketch the pictures and show where the horizon line is as well as the vanishing point. Discuss what the image Is about. Why do you think the artist has chosen one point perspective to show this?
2. Examine 4 paintings with 2 point perspective as their dominant construction element. Do the same.
3. What other elements gives a sense of depth to a Picture? Think about color, how can it be used to show distance?
4. Sketch a scene from your environment, pay close attention to your use of perspective. Use construction lines to show where your vanishing points and horizon are. We will copy this in the Art room and render It as a completed work later.

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