1 linear perspective | Definition of linear perspective

linear perspective

noun

Definition of linear perspective

: a system of creating an illusion of depth and distance in drawing, painting, relief sculpture, etc., by depicting parallel lines as converging Consider the way in which modernist painting calls attention to the flatness of the two-dimensional canvas rather than employing the rules of linear perspective in order to generate an illusion of depth.— Roger Copeland

Examples of linear perspective in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Completed in 1427, it is believed to be the first work to fully apply the laws of linear perspective. Allesandra Pagano, National Geographic, "The painter behind 'Birth of Venus' invented a new kind of art," 24 July 2019 But the true genius of using linear perspective is that its elements—a vanishing point and a horizon line—express the painting’s scriptural message. Robert E. Gordon, WSJ, "A Multi-Layered Drama," 13 July 2018 The invention paved the way for telescopes and revolutionized art, allowing the Italian painter Filippo Brunelleschi to discover the linear perspective in 1425. Doug Main, The Atlantic, "Humankind’s Most Important Material," 7 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'linear perspective.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of linear perspective

circa 1656, in the meaning defined above

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More from Merriam-Webster on linear perspective

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about linear perspective