ClipArt ETC
Illustration of the picture plane and the ground plane.

Perspective terms

Illustration of the picture plane and the ground plane.

Illustration of the vanishing point and the horizon line.

Single Point Perspective

Illustration of the vanishing point and the horizon line.

Illustration of the vanishing point and the horizon line.

Perspective

Illustration of the vanishing point and the horizon line.

Who is the biggest? The policeman, most people would say. But the policeman is really the smallest, and the little girl is the biggest.

Visual Illusion: Perspective

Who is the biggest? The policeman, most people would say. But the policeman is really the smallest,…

"That point in which a right line drawn from the eye parallel to another given right line cuts the picture of plane."-Whitney, 1902

Accidental Point

"That point in which a right line drawn from the eye parallel to another given right line cuts the picture…

"The main rib or arch-band which crosses a vault at right angles and separates adjoining bays from each other. Image: Arcs in vaulting, perspective and plan. A B, C D, arcs doubleaux; A D, C B, arcs ogives; A C, B D, arcs formerets."-Whitney, 1902

Arc Boutant

"The main rib or arch-band which crosses a vault at right angles and separates adjoining bays from each…

Famous author and poet.

John Ruskin

Famous author and poet.

Illustration of the proper position for the horizontal line.

Horizontal Line

Illustration of the proper position for the horizontal line.

In this figure <em>BB</em> is the base line; <em>HH</em> the common horizontal or vanishing line; <em>C</em> the centre of view in that vanishing linel <em>LL</em> the vanishing line of the ascent; and <em>C1</em> the centre of view in that vanishing line.

Horizontal Line Diagram

In this figure BB is the base line; HH the common horizontal or vanishing line; C…

A diagram of the down-hill view to the eye.

Down-Hill View

A diagram of the down-hill view to the eye.

Perspective of the face.

Face Perspective

Perspective of the face.

Perspective of the face.

Face Perspective

Perspective of the face.

A face turned to the side.

Face

A face turned to the side.

A face turned up.

Face

A face turned up.

A face looking down.

Face

A face looking down.

Visual perspective of the human body.

Body Perspective

Visual perspective of the human body.

A human's perspective of a statue.

Perspective

A human's perspective of a statue.

This figure represents the whole of the points and lines requisite for working out a drawing in "parallel perspective." 1) The point of sight; 2)The horizontal line; 3) The point of station; 4) The points of measurement.

Parallel Perspective

This figure represents the whole of the points and lines requisite for working out a drawing in "parallel…

This figure comprises the whole of the points and lines preparatory to beginning a drawing in "angular perspective." 1) The point of sight; 2)The horizontal line; 3) The point of station; 4) The nearest corner of the object to be drawn; 5) The ground line of the building or object, lying on that side, and produced from the nearest corner up to the horizontal line, in order to determine the vanishing point marked 5; 6) A line taken from the vanishing point 5, to the point of station 3; 7) A line drawn at right angles to 6, and extending from the point of station to the horizontal line, at its junction with which the vanishing point, marked 8, is determined; 9) A point of measurement obtained by the use of the vanishing point 8; 10) The other point of measurement, obtained by vanishing point 5; 11) The geometrical scale of the building or object upon a base line drawn through the nearest corner.

Angular Perspective

This figure comprises the whole of the points and lines preparatory to beginning a drawing in "angular…

The perspective shown in this plate is parallel perspective; and the subject here intended to be represented is a flat and perfectly square surface, such as the floor of a room, a chess board, or any other such object. 1) The front edge of the given square; 2) One side of it receding to the vanishing point, which also is the point of sight; 3) The other side receding to the same point; 4) A line taken from one corner of the front edge, to the point of measuremen on the opposite side, and giving the perspective width or depth of the square at the intersection of the line 3; 5) A line drawn at the above intersection, and parallel to the front edge; this will give the back of the square. The lines 1, 2, 3, and 5 may then be strongly marked, and the figure will be thus completed. 6) This line is taken from the corner of the front edge to the opposite point of the measurement, showing how exactly either this line, o that marked 4, will give the perspective width of the square. It serves also to find the centre.

Parallel Perspective

The perspective shown in this plate is parallel perspective; and the subject here intended to be represented…

The perspective in this plate is "angular perspective," and the figure it represents is a flat square surface; its dimensions are supposed to be either twenty feet or twenty inches. 1) Two lines drawn from the nearest corner of theboard, to the horizontal line, and at a distance from each other equal to the thickness of the board; this fixes the vanishing point at 1. 2) A line drawn from the above vanishing point to the point of station. 3) A line taken at right angles to 2, from the point of station, and fixing on the horizontal line the position of the vanishing point 3. 4) Two lines drawn from the nearest corner of the board to the vanishing point 3, similarly to the previously drawn lines 1. 5) One point of measurement, obtained in the usual way, by the distance of 3 from the point of station. 6) The point of measurement. 7) The line of the geometrical scale, being a line drawn across the base of the nearest corner, and marked according to scale, twenty feet or twenty inches. 8,8) Lines taken from either end of the geometrical scale towards the point of measurement, but extending no farther than where they meet the lines 1,1, and 4,4. 9,10) Small perpendicular lines drawn at the above intersections, by which the width of the board is ascertained. 11) The side of the board opposite and really parallel to that marked 4, and therefore tending to the same vanishing point. 12) The back of the board, opposite and parallel to the front marked 1, and consequently tending to the same vanishing point. The lines 1,1; 4,4; 11 and 12, being strongly marked, the figure will be completed.

Angular Perspective

The perspective in this plate is "angular perspective," and the figure it represents is a flat square…

Two upright oblong figures are here represented in parallel perspective. They may be imagined to resemble the sides and fronts of houses, or their blank walls. One of the figures has two others attached to it of equal dimensions; and these additions might be similarly multiplied to any extent, by the numbers, 7, 8, 9 and 10, in the followig rules. 1) Lines forming to complete fronts of two separate and detached oblongs. 2) The geometrical scale at the base, marked twenty feet. 3) The ground lines of the fronts running to the vanishing point. 4) The top lines tending to vanishing point. 5) Lines from the geometrical scale, to the points of measurement, determining the perspective depths of the oblongs. 6) Perpendicular lines raised at the intersection of the lines 3 and 5, and giving the farthest upright corner lines of the oblongs. The two figures will thus be completed. The remaining lines inserted in the figure are intended to give two other oblongs (or rather their retiring sides) attached to the first, and supposed to be of the same dimensions. They are determined first by finding the centre 7 of the near corner line 1. From 7 a line is drawn to the vanishing point. A line marked 8 is then drawn from the near extremity of 1 through 6, where it is cut by 7; at its intersection with the bottom line 3, the perpendicular line 9 is raised, and another oblong front is completed. A line 10 is drawn, and determined as the line 8 was, from the top of 6, and by crossing the lines 7 and 3. The lines 13, 14, and 15, are inserted merely to show the inner side and back of the other oblong, as they would be seen were the object made of glass. Thus 13,13 are lines for the top and bottom of the back; formed by drawing them to the vanishing point; 14,14 are the top and bottom lines of the farthest side, found by straight lines being drawn from both ends of , until they meet 13,13; at which point of meeting the upright corner of the oblong are completed.

Parallel Perspective

Two upright oblong figures are here represented in parallel perspective. They may be imagined to resemble…

This object is a cube, having therefore all its faces of equal dimensions; and as both sides recede, "angular perspective" is employed. The point of sight, horizontal line, and point of station, having been fixed upon, the line A is first to be drawn, touching the bottom of the nearest corner, and is for the geometrical scale or height of the cube, which, in this instance, will be called twelve feet; that is, twelve feet must be marked on the scale from the corner on either side. 1) The ground line of the square, taken from the centre of the geometrical scale line to the horizontal line; by its junction with which is determined the vanishing point or that side. 2) A line drawn from the above vanishing point to the point of station. 3) A line drawn at right angles at the point of station to the line 2, as far as the horizontal line, its intersection with which will give the correct vanishing point to the other side. 4) The ground line of the cube running to the last vanishing point. 5) The nearest corner of the cube, twelve feet in height, being equal to the width. The points of measurement are next to be ascertained, and to be marked in the usual way; and the lines B drawn from the ends of the geometrical scale towards the point of measurement give the perspective width or depth of both sides. This is found at their cutting of the ground lines 1 and 4. The line 6 represents the top line of one side of the cube, and runs from the nearest corner to the vanishing point. 7) The other top line; and it is drawn to the other vanishing point. 8) The far corner line raised vertically from the crossing of the lines B and 1. 9) The other corner line raised vertically from the intersection of the lines B and 4. The lines 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, being strengthened, the figure is complete.

Angular Perspective

This object is a cube, having therefore all its faces of equal dimensions; and as both sides recede,…

This cube has four additional cubes of equal dimensions. This is effected by first drawing the cube in the order and then finding the centre of the upright line 5, that being the nearest corner line of this first cube. The centre being found at 10, take the line 10 to the vanishing point for that side of the cube; this will give the centres of all the other upright lines of that side of all the added cubes. The line 11 is drawn from the top of the corner line 5, through the intersection of 8 and 10, until it meets the ground line 1, at its junction with which the upright line is raised for the far corner line 12 of the second cube. The three other cubes are described precisely in the same manner, being found by the diagonal lines traversing each pair of the cubes, through the intersection of the centre line 10, with each perpendicular line raised from the meeting of the previous diagonal line with the ground line 1. It will be perceived that a further distance of twelve feet is added to one side of the geometrical scale, and marked A. This is done merely to prove the correctness of the first diagonal line 11, passing through the centre line 10, to determine the perspective depth of the second cube. For if a line be taken from the end of the geometrical scale A to the point of measurement on the horizontal line, it will be found to meet the ground line 1 at exactly the same point; thus proving the truth of both modes of drawing. The former mode, however, is more convenient where a number of cubes are to be drawn; as the geometrical scale might extend far beyond the limits of the paper, and consequently give much more trouble.

Angular Perspective

This cube has four additional cubes of equal dimensions. This is effected by first drawing the cube…

This figure differs from the others because they are solid cubes. Further, the geometrical scale is used for the two cubes, because, being only two, it will be found in this way that fewer lines will be necessary, leaving the figure less intricate and confused. The two frnt sides of the cubes are produced in the same way as far as line 10, which is the farthest corner line of the second cube. 11) The line is drawn from the extremity of 10 to the vanishing point of 7, the two lines being really parallel. 12) Is drawn from the top of 9 to the vanishing point of line 6, these also being parallel. 13) Is drawn from the top of the upright centre line 8, to the vanishing point of 11 and 7, these being all really parallel to each other. 14) Is the far ground line taken from the lower extremity of 9 to the vanishing point of 1, these lines being also parallel. 15 and 16) Are lines drawn from the corner end of 10 and 8 to the vanishing point of 4, the three lines being really parallel. 17 and 18) Are upright lines raised at the intersection of the lines 16 and 15, with the ground line 14, being the far corners of the cubes; they respectively will meet the intersections of lines 11 and 13 with 12. These lines will complete the figure.

Angular Perspective

This figure differs from the others because they are solid cubes. Further, the geometrical scale is…

"A landscape is supposed to be viewed from the spot marked E; and that the spectator is desirous of representing on the plane of his paper a certain portion of the scene as seen by him fom this point. That portion constitutes his real picture. The distance of this picture,- or distance of the eye from the plane of the picture (which is the same thing), -means the distance intervening between the spectator's position, and that point on the ground directly in front of him, where the picture, which he is about to make, ought properly to commence. Upon the choice of a proper and judicious distance the beauty of his work will in a great measure depend. Suppose the landscape to be viewed from the point E, then that portion of the scene which the eye can easily take in, without moving the head, and without the slightest strain upon the optic nerve, will constitute the picture from that point. Now, under this condition the spectator will find that he does not distinctly see the ground immediately before him, but that he obtains a perfectly easy view of it only at some distance from his position at E. It is the space included between the point E (where he is placed), and the supposed point alluded to, and here marked S, that establishes the required distance of the picture, that is, the distance of the eye from the proposed picture. For instance, let S be that point on the ground immediately in front of the eye, and if through S a straight line be supposed to be drawn, perpendicular to the distance ES, this line will pass through and determine the foremost objects of the proposed picture, and therefore at this line the picture must commence."

Distance

"A landscape is supposed to be viewed from the spot marked E; and that the spectator is desirous of…

That an accurate notion of the vertical line may be obtained, the plane of the picture must be supposed to be perpendicular to the horizontal plane. If a straight line be drawn from the spectator's eye, perpendicular to this plane of the picture, that line will fall upon the plane at a point in the horizontal line directly opposite to the eye. This point, C, is called the centre of the picture, or centre of view. In reference to the eye of the spectator, every straight line perpendicular to the plane of the picture appears to converge towards this point or centre. The line which, drawn from the eye of the spectator, determines this centre C, is called the vertical line. It is a straight line through S, perpendicular to the horizontal line, and the base of the picture; and is represented by the line EC.

Vertical Line

That an accurate notion of the vertical line may be obtained, the plane of the picture must be supposed…

A landscape drawing showing the proper position for the horizontal line.

Horizontal Line

A landscape drawing showing the proper position for the horizontal line.

A drawing of a landscape positioning a horizontal line.

Horizontal Line

A drawing of a landscape positioning a horizontal line.

A landscape illustration demonstrating proper positioning of a horizontal line.

Horizontal Line

A landscape illustration demonstrating proper positioning of a horizontal line.

A drawing of a landscape showing the proper position for the horizontal line.

Horizontal Line

A drawing of a landscape showing the proper position for the horizontal line.

Illustration depicting horizontal landscape.

Horizontal Line

Illustration depicting horizontal landscape.

One of the most distinguished masters of the Floretine school of painting, born at Savignano, in Tuscany, in 1469. His subjects are mostly religious, and the greater part belong to the later period of his life. He was a warm adherent of Savonarola, after whose tragical end in 1500 he took the habit of the cloister. He imparted to Raphael his knowledge of coloring, and acquired from him a more perfect knowledge of perspective. He died in Florence in 1517.

Fra Bartolommeo

One of the most distinguished masters of the Floretine school of painting, born at Savignano, in Tuscany,…

"Pascal's Law finds an important application in the hydraulic press, in the more common forms of which the pressure of a piston operated by a lever is transmitted through a pipe to a piston of larger area." -Avery 1895

Hydraulic Press, Perspective

"Pascal's Law finds an important application in the hydraulic press, in the more common forms of which…

"Method of using a grounded metallic comb near the driving belt to relieve the belt of static charges." &mdash;Croft 1920

Using a Grounded Metallic Comb to Reduce Static Charge, Perspective View

"Method of using a grounded metallic comb near the driving belt to relieve the belt of static charges."…

An illustration showing how to use isometric perspective. "This kind of perspective admits of scale measurements the same as any ordinary drawing, and gives a clear representation of the object. It is easily learned. All horizontal rectangular lines are drawn at an angle of 30&deg;. All circles are ellipses of proportion, as shown."

Construction Using Isometric Perspective

An illustration showing how to use isometric perspective. "This kind of perspective admits of scale…

"Morphology of a typical dicotyledonous plant. A, leaf, pinnately-netted veined; B, portion of stem, showing concentric layers of wood; C, ground-plan of flower (the parts in 5's); D, perspective of flower; E, longitudinal section of seed, showing dicotyledonous embryo." -Gager, 1916

Dicotyledonous Morphology

"Morphology of a typical dicotyledonous plant. A, leaf, pinnately-netted veined; B, portion of stem,…

"Perspective- Place roofs and tree tops above the horizon line, and the tree trunks and main part of the houses, below." -Foster, 1921

Landscape Perspective

"Perspective- Place roofs and tree tops above the horizon line, and the tree trunks and main part of…

A vanishing point is a point in a perspective drawing to which parallel lines appear to converge.

Vanishing Point

A vanishing point is a point in a perspective drawing to which parallel lines appear to converge.

A vanishing point is a point in a perspective drawing to which parallel lines appear to converge.

Vanishing Point

A vanishing point is a point in a perspective drawing to which parallel lines appear to converge.

A vanishing point is a point in a perspective drawing to which parallel lines appear to converge.

Vanishing Point

A vanishing point is a point in a perspective drawing to which parallel lines appear to converge.

&quot;Repair-link for round-link chain. A, section by a meridian plane; B, perspective elevation showing the completed link with both halves in place; C, top view of one half-section; D, top view of the other half-section, showing the break of the joint. The interrupted side is open wide enough to pass the stock of the solid link adjacent to the repair-link on either side.&quot; -Whitney, 1911

Repair Link of Chain

"Repair-link for round-link chain. A, section by a meridian plane; B, perspective elevation showing…

In 1959 an international donations campaign to save the monuments of Nubia began: the southernmost relics of this ancient human civilization were under threat from the rising waters of the Nile that were about to result from the construction of the Aswan High Dam. This image gives a perspective view of the entrance hall, in which are seen eight standing colossal statues 33 feet high, supported by square piers.1

Entrance to the Great Temple at Abu Simbel

In 1959 an international donations campaign to save the monuments of Nubia began: the southernmost relics…

The parallel fret band is a pattern that is parallel in perspective that was found in a Roman mosaic pavement.

Parallel Fret Band

The parallel fret band is a pattern that is parallel in perspective that was found in a Roman mosaic…

The entrance to this house is labeled a vestibule, to elicit a sense of grandeur. The round tower can be clearly seen from this perspective. A fireplace is situated at the base of the tower in the parlor room. The sitting room contains a large bay window, as well a fireplace. The dining room also has a bay window, although this one is much rounder. The kitchen is situated at the back of the house and exits to a small back porch. An elegant stair case can be found at the front of the house that leads all the way to the third floor. A smaller staircase is located in the kitchen and stops at the second floor. On the second floor there are four large chambers, three with closets, and a single bathroom. In 1917, this large house cost between $4,000 and $4,250 to build depending on the locality.

"The Badenoch" Floor Plans

The entrance to this house is labeled a vestibule, to elicit a sense of grandeur. The round tower can…

Illustration showing the intersection of a plane with a cone. The solid is shown in perspective and the triangles that are to be located in the projections are represented in the drawing.

Intersection Of A Plane And Cone

Illustration showing the intersection of a plane with a cone. The solid is shown in perspective and…

Illustration showing the development of a sphere by the perspective of its resolved cones.

Development Of Sphere

Illustration showing the development of a sphere by the perspective of its resolved cones.

The Palace of Versailles, or simply Versailles, is a royal château in Versailles, the île-de-France region of France. In French, it is known as the Château de Versailles."It was principally the above-mentioned system of Roccoco decoration and architectural detail which characterized the architecture of the time of Louis XV.; it is, consequently, sometimes designated as the style of Louis XV. [This image] gives a portion of an interior drawn in perspective.""Internal arrangement and decoration are the main characteristics of the style of this period, and in this direction the best results were doubtless produced. Large and lofty rooms, as well as scope for display, were indispensable; consequently this style of embellishment was most happily carried out in each state apartments, especially in the princely castles and palaces, or, as the French call them, the "Hôtels" of the aristocracy."

Saloon in the Palace of Versailles

The Palace of Versailles, or simply Versailles, is a royal château in Versailles, the île-de-France…

This piece of furniture was designed to hold a mattress fixed with side swiveling wheels for easy mobility. This bedstead includes four vertical posts holding adjustable sleeves adapted to support a bed bottom frame.

A Perspective View of a Bedstead

This piece of furniture was designed to hold a mattress fixed with side swiveling wheels for easy mobility.…

A kitchen cabinet is a type of cupboard popular in the first decades of the twentieth century. Named after the Hoosier Manufacturing Co. of New Castle, Indiana, they were also made by several other companies, most also located in Indiana.

Perspective View of Kitchen Cabinet

A kitchen cabinet is a type of cupboard popular in the first decades of the twentieth century. Named…

An illustration of perspective drawing using a picture plane to create a vanishing points of the image.

Perspective Outline of Object

An illustration of perspective drawing using a picture plane to create a vanishing points of the image.

"Holding the pencil in a plane perpendicular to the line of sight, marking with the thumb the length of pencil which covers a line of the model rotating the arm, with the thumb held in position, until the pencil coincides with another line, and estimating the proportion of this measurement to the second line." &mdash;French, 1911

Estimating Lines using Pencil

"Holding the pencil in a plane perpendicular to the line of sight, marking with the thumb the length…

"An object in parallel perspective with one face in the picture plane is shown. At B is shown the top view of A with the cone of rays. C shows the picture plane detached and set forward in order that it may not interfere with the plan when revolved. D is the top view of C after the picture plane has been revolved." &mdash;French, 1911

Parallel Perspective

"An object in parallel perspective with one face in the picture plane is shown. At B is shown the top…

A series of illustration of the image showing the different perspectives showing vanishing points and picture plane.

Angular Perspective

A series of illustration of the image showing the different perspectives showing vanishing points and…

A display drawing showing a ruled outline of a house on tracing paper.

Ruled Outline of House

A display drawing showing a ruled outline of a house on tracing paper.

A perspective view of the shoreline illustrated by using contour lines.

Perspective View of Shoreline

A perspective view of the shoreline illustrated by using contour lines.

An exercise problem to create a vanishing point using lines. The line is drawn by placing a dot into the middle of the paper, then draw the lines angled into the middle. This creates an illusion that the lines are continuing for a long distance.

Vanishing Point Using Lines

An exercise problem to create a vanishing point using lines. The line is drawn by placing a dot into…

"The intersection of the principal rays lies in front of the object, and consequently objects in front of the plane focused for will be projected on E magnified and the objects lying behind it diminished ("hypercentric" transmission). It produces a perspective representation entirely opposed to ordinary vision." &mdash;Encyclopaedia Britannica, 1910

Hypercentric Transmission in Microscopic Objective

"The intersection of the principal rays lies in front of the object, and consequently objects in front…

This is a perspective illustration of common tool handles, here is displayed the side view, front view, and top view

Tool Handle

This is a perspective illustration of common tool handles, here is displayed the side view, front view,…

A perspective of a potato warehouse.

Potato Warehouse

A perspective of a potato warehouse.