By DARLA MCCAMMON,
Lakeland Art Association
A perfect example of perspective in artwork. (Photo provided)
Perspective is the rein and rudder of painting,” is a quote attributed to Leonardo da Vinci. But first we need to know — what is perspective?
Perspective is what gives art realism. For instance, when an artist creates a view on a flat surface of a painting which appears three dimensional to your eye, perspective may be the explanation for this effect.
Prior to 1400, artists partially captured realism, but there was still something missing. Lines did not converge to a single point on the horizon. After perspective was invented and understood, painting improved. Imagine a set of railroad tracks disappearing into the distance. The tracks would be wide on our drawing surface near us and would converge to a point above our starting view that aligned with the horizon.
What happened to educate artists to the value of using perspective? Filippo Di Ser Brunellesco (1377-1446), sculptor, architect and artisan-engineer, is given credit for the invention of perspective. Brunelleschi likely had help from the mathematician Toscanelli but did not publicize the geometry and math that also led to his success.
Antonio Manetti wrote a biography about this brilliant inventor and included this: “Brunelleschi had made a hole in the panel . . . which was as small as a lentil on the painting side . . . and on the back it opened pyramidally, like a woman’s straw hat, to the size of a ducat or a little more.” People were encouraged to look through this hole where a mirror reflected a painting, but then the mirror was removed and they found they were looking at the actual building and could see the accuracy of this first real perspective painting.
According to Wikipedia, “ Brunellesco formulated his theory based on planar projections, or how the rays of light, passing from the viewer’s eye to the landscape, would strike the picture plane (the painting). He was then able to calculate the apparent height of a distant object using two similar triangles. The mathematics behind similar triangles is relatively simple, having been long ago formulated by Euclid.” Artists following Brunellesco, such as Donatello, learned and adopted his method of creating accurate work.
The above painting (photo provided) by Sargent called “A Street in Venice,” 1882, is a good example of using perspective. Although we know the alley is the same width to the end, the artist uses perspective to make it narrow at the end and the painting becomes very realistic to our eye.
So, for those students in school, think about the value of those math classes when you are considering becoming an artist!
Upcoming and Current Events:
- The John Streeter exhibit of his absorbing and amazing pastels is open at Warsaw City Hall. Visit this gallery from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. Main Floor.
- Honeywell photography competition in Wabash closes Nov. 10 with reception
- A.J. Ellsworth exhibit is open at LAA through Nov. 1.
- 7 p.m. Oct. 26, A.J. Ellsworth presents program on printmaking at LAA Gallery.
- Nov. 4 Fall Member Show entries. Contact LAA for information.
Visit LAA at 107 N. 1st St. Pierceton, www.lakelandartassociation.org or via Facebook. Contact your author/artist Darla McCammon at mcdar7@gmail.com.