Innovations in Linear Perspective
During the Italian Renaissance, changes in paintings and sculptures begun to become very apparent. With artists starting utilizing linear perspective, the illusion of space and distance on a flat surface became much more visually clear.
Linear Perspective Broken Down
Linear perspective is broken down into three different types of lines:
The horizon line or “eye level” refers to the line/boundary that separates the sky from the land or water.
The vanishing point, usually located near the center of the horizon line, is the point in which all parallel lines run together to turn into one, allowing them to all end at the same point.
Orthogonal lines are straight lines that represent parallel lines receding into the distance and connects lines to the vanishing point.
The Holy Trinity
Masaccio displayed the new method linear perspective in his piece the Holy Trinity. This was one of the first pieces to display this method in order to fully create the proper illusion of architecture. The archway is a great display of the use of linear perspective. Lines were strategically drawn to give the illusion from the viewers point of view, including the proportion of the human anatomy.
The Adoration of the Magi
This piece by Sandro Botticelli is also a great example of the use of linear perspective due to the obvious horizon line a viewer would find at the break of the sky when the hills begin. This picture also displays the use of human proportion in regards to depth as well as the simple accurate depiction of each individual’s realistic proportion.
Connection to Humanism
Though humanism involves a great deal of religious belief, there are other aspects that can be easily depicted from these pieces. Humanist beliefs stress the emphasis of common human needs. To me, that could be a relation of development in artistic aspects, allowing those with an emotional depth of attachment to art to emotionally expand. Humanism also elaborates on the importance of the Study of Human Proportion, which is implemented in these pieces as well.
Works Cited
“Basic Perspective: Eye Level and Horizon Line.” ART 110. Brigham Young University-Idaho, 2010. Web. 18 Sept. 2016.
“Exploring Linear Perspective.” Museum of Science. The Museum of Science, 1997. Web. 18 Sept. 2016.
“Key Innovations and Artists of the Italian Renaissance.” Eyecon Art. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Sept. 2016.
“Science: Knowing and Understanding the World.” The Renaissance Humanists. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Sept. 2016.
“Visual Arts During the Italian Renaissance.” The Interrelation of Art, Music, Theater & Aesthetic Appreciation. ARTMUSTHR F200, 24 Apr. 2009. Web. 18 Sept. 2016.
Tina - ART 200 
I really admired how you broke down the linear perspective and explained the process in detail, accompanied with wonderful examples of art. I do agree with your aesthetic appreciation on how the emotional depth helps to contribute to the humanist view that is being portrayed but I also think that certain colors and posture were used to assist in that as well. There was a lot of religious aspects in art during the Italian Renaissance, which is awesome, but humanism was a little more focused on the individual’s potential and worth. In your example of The Adoration of the Magi, you can see how beautiful the pastel colors give a feeling of peace and how everyone is in the worship position towards the newborn Christ, which is the main focus.
I tried going to your websites but I had a hard time finding them since they weren’t included after your MLA citation. Also, I was curious when the beautiful paintings were created and where.
I found a great website that has some useful information about humanism and the Italian Renaissance: https://www.britannica.com/topic/humanism/Humanism-and-the-visual-arts
Thanks for sharing those beautiful works of art!
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I found it interesting that you did not focus on a painting that had linear perspective but rather you focused on linear perspective that was included in a painting. what I mean is that with humanism, there are many ways to apply it to art. From such aspects like the detail of a person’s face to the shading of their skin. how ever, when applying a single concept to humanism (such as linear perspective) its easy to miss the point and just focus on the painting as a whole. so instead you gave a couple of examples which showed the application of the method you were describing. I brought this up because even as basic as it is, it’s something that I would have never have though of. great job!
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