Art Education

2 Point Perspective Resources

  • To appreciate how to create the illusion of space with lines.
  • To appreciate the great change in pictorial representation once renaissance artists formulated the rules for linear perspective
Circles in Perspective

Art Historical References

Robert Campin“The Merode Alterpiece”

Filippo Brunelleschi – inventor of linear perspective, architect of The Dome of the Florence Cathedral

Masaccio – “The Trinity”, 1st painting using linear perspective

Leon Baptista Alberti – author of treatise on linear perspective

Leonardo da Vinci’s “Last Supper”, “Adoration of the Magi”

Jan Vermeer (Dutch)  - Used linear and elliptical perspective

Linear Perspective Vocabulary

  • Angular perspective – Synonym for two point linear perspective; the illusion of a box-like form seen at an angle in which the edge is seems closest to the viewer, while the two sides recede to one of two vanishing points on either side.
  • Frontal perspective – Synonym for one point linear perspective; the illusion of a box like form seen head on in which the top or bottom plane recedes to one vanishing point.
  • Frontal plane – the plane of a box closest to the viewer in a one point perspective drawing.
  • Horizon line – The line, often at eye level, which contains the vanishing points for receding planes in a perspective drawing.
  • Nearest edge - The closest edge of a box in a two point perspective drawing.
  • One point linear perspective – A mechanical system for creating the illusion of space of frontally positioned box, in which only the front and either the top or bottom of a box is seen.  The top or the bottom recedes towards a vanishing point vertically aligned with the box.
  • Linear perspective – The general term used to describe a mechanical method of achieving the illusion of space of box-like objects by making some of their lines angle toward a vanishing point on a horizon line.
  • Two point linear perspective - A mechanical system for creating the illusion of three dimensional space on a two dimensional surface in which box-like forms seen from an angle have the two visible sides recede to one of two vanishing points on a horizon line.  The top or bottom of that box is made by the intersection of the lines extending from a corner of the box angled to the opposite vanishing point.
  • Vanishing point - A dot or dots on the horizon line towards which receding lines angle.