Perspective in Art and Life

Each of us sees the world through our own unique perspective. Fine art allows us to glimpse the world through another's perspective, which can enhance, challenge and even change our own view.

Artistically perspective deals with the rendering of distance – the expanse of space that is portrayed in a painting; this mirrors the idea of individual perspective. Some people seem to be flatly focused on themselves, while others enjoy a broader and far reaching world view.

During the Renaissance fine art dramatically changed in perspective and also became more realistic and less stylized and flat. At the same time, Europeans were rediscovering the writings and works of the Greeks and Romans. As city states emerged and the hold of the Holy Roman Empire waned, a new freedom was reflected in the perspective and rendering of the art of the time.

A great artist can encourage one to change one's perspective. Larger works of great artists have made me want to position myself differently. For instance, although I stand back and view Monet's Water Lillies or Picasso's Guernica as a whole, invariably, I need to move closer and move along the painting, usually “strolling' from left to right. More than once I have moved slightly to the right or left of one of Rembrandt's works, feeling that that was somehow the rightful place for the viewer, for my perspective of the piece.

A few years ago when I returned to painting, I positioned myself and the viewer in front and center of a painting. Many great artists have painted works to be viewed front and center, including the above mentioned Monet, Picasso and Rembrandt. As I worked on the Genesis: Sunset- Sunrise series I became fascinated with how the sun or moon's reflection along the water “follows” the viewer. As a passenger in a car one evening, the reflection over the bay to my side speedily followed me for several miles including after we took the curve around to the other side of the water.

I began experimenting with paintings that have the setting sun's reflection over water slightly to the right or left of center. Sure enough, when viewers stand before those works, they shift slightly until they are standing directly in front of the reflection over the water. So the path of light comes directly to them, as it would in real life.

Sometimes is seems that art imitates life. Sometimes it seems as if life imitates life. I suppose it is based on one's perspective.

July 25, 2006