Esther M. Zimmer Lederberg
Axial Perspective

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axial perspective at Pompeii Pompeii plubius2 Met perspective

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Panofsky * refers to "axial perspective" or "fishbone perspective", as a form of perspective in which parallel lines converge to a vertical axis in lieu of the vanishing point of "linear perspective". Axial perspective was used in ancient Greece as well as in ancient Rome, and was discussed by Vitruvius. Plato opposed the use of (axial) perspective in art, as proportions were not consistent. Plato favored mathematical "truth" as he understood it, over the "truth" that could be depicted in art using perspective. The paintings above depict axial perspective found in a paintings from Pompeii.

* Erwin Panofsky (1892-1968)was an influential German art historian, specialising in iconography (including cultural history as context).

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