Figure 3 The triangle or pyramidal composition is used to draw the viewer’s attention to a figure or to give an impression of stability. To construct a pyramidal composition, an artist places objects and figures within the outline of an imaginary triangle or pyramid on the picture plane. It was very popular with Renaissance artists.
Figure 4 The Golden Mean, also known as the Golden Section or Golden Ratio. Based on a mathematical ratio, the Golden Mean is used to achieve beauty, balance and harmony in art. It creates flow and movement by directing the eye around the space in a balanced manner. It comes back on itself in an almost circular motion. The Golden Mean was used extensively by Leonardo da Vinci and other Renaissance artists.
Perspective – Is there perspective in the painting?
l Linear perspective: Does it suggest depth or distance and give the impression of three dimensions on a flat, two-dimensional surface (Fig. 5)? Are objects reducing in size over distance?
l Atmospheric or aerial perspective: Has the artist created the impression of distance by reducing clarity, colour and tone as objects fade into the distance (Fig. 6)?
Vanishing point
Horizon Horizon
Railway line
Figure 5 Linear or single-point perspective. A method of representing three- dimensional objects on a two-dimensional picture plane. In linear perspective, all parallel edges and lines converge toward a single vanishing point.
