Definitions
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Perspective
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Perspective is a method of painting three-dimensional objects on a two-dimensional
surface so they appear real. For an excellent detailed explanation, see page
62 in Eyewitness Art: Perspective.
Linear Perspective
The artist defines a three-dimensional object on the painting surface in terms of parallel
receding planes. Generally, this means defining the painting using 1 or 3 vanishing points.
Vanishing Point
The vanishing point is the point on the imaginary horizontal line which appears to be the
far distance or horizion. All lines headed "into" the page converge on this point.
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Trompe l'oeil
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A French phrase which means "fools the eye" or "deceives the eye". It was also a school of
painting in the late 1600's in Holland. These artists continued to experiment with Leonardo
di Vinci's principles and made paintings which were meant to be viewed from different angles
or through holes in constructed boxes.
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