Mohamed  Hirji

Fine Art

Geometric Perspective

May 18, 2021

Perspective in art refers to “the representation of three dimensional objects on a two dimensional surface so as to give the correct impression of their height, width, depth and position”. Essentially allowing us to perceive a two dimensional object in three dimensions, hence creating an illusion of depth. 


There are two major forms namely, geometric or linear perspective and atmospheric perspective. In this blog I will tackle the geometric perspective while atmospheric perspective will be covered in a subsequent blog.


Geometric Perspective (Linear Perspective): This phenomenon evolved from early architectural drawings by two architects Brunelleschi and Alberti, in Florence Italy in 1400 A.D. 


The geometric perspective refers to same objects as it appear to get smaller in the distance. The further the distance, the smaller the perceived size of the object and the distance between two objects also diminishes. This phenomenon is governed by strict mathematical formulae. 


The following are some examples.

Parallel Train Tracks , Telephone Poles,  Rows Of Trees

A classic example is a set of train tracks which gradually get close together and smaller in size and seem to meet at a single point in the horizon. This is also similarly seen as the sides of a river or road converges to a single point in the distance. The electricity/telephone poles on the left of the image also demonstrate the same principle as the get slender and shorter as they regress into the distance. Similar changes are perceived in the rows of houses, trees , the path besides the tracks etc.

Tuscan Vineyard

The Painting, Tuscan Vineyard, above portrays the value of geometric perspective elegantly. The rows of vines converge away from us, providing a sense of distance (depth). Without these, the landscape would appear very flat.

Wavelets In Water

The wavelets in water, the waves in the ocean all follow the same laws of nature, namely, getting smaller and closer together as they extend into the distance.

People Are No Exception

This hold true also to people out in the open. There are absolutely no exceptions.

This phenomenon of geometric perspectives depending on the objects being drawn (viewed)  is also subdivided into a one point, two point and three point perspective. but those are beyond the scope of this discussion.

Stay tuned, we will discuss atmospheric perspective on the next blog.

Hope this was informative.

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Mohamed Hirji