Perspective in the Visual Culture of Classical Antiquity

This book investigates theories of linear perspective in classical antiquity.

Rocco Sinisgalli (Author)

9781107025905, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 17 September 2012

208 pages, 106 b/w illus.
22.9 x 15.2 x 1.6 cm, 0.42 kg

Linear perspective is a science that represents objects in space upon a plane, projecting them from a point of view. This concept was known in classical antiquity. In this book, Rocco Sinisgalli investigates theories of linear perspective in the classical era. Departing from the received understanding of perspective in the ancient world, he argues that ancient theories of perspective were primarily based on the study of objects in mirrors, rather than the study of optics and the workings of the human eye. In support of this argument, Sinisgalli analyzes, and offers new insights into, some of the key classical texts on this topic, including Euclid's De speculis, Lucretius' De rerum natura, Vitruvius' De architectura and Ptolemy's De opticis. Key concepts throughout the book are clarified and enhanced by detailed illustrations.

Introduction
1. The ancients and mirrors
2. Lucretius
3. Vitruvius
4. Perspective at the center of power
5. Perspective in the area of Vesuvius
6. Ptolemy.

Subject Areas: History of ideas [JFCX], Classical history / classical civilisation [HBLA1], Ancient history: to c 500 CE [HBLA], Literary studies: classical, early & medieval [DSBB], History of architecture [AMX], History of art: ancient & classical art,BCE to c 500 CE [ACG]