Lost Perspective
A Historic Guide to Finding Some
Unlike many of my prior articles, the history of perspective has proven to be a bit more straightforward. The term is Latin in origin and equates to “look at through”. By the late 14th century, it was known as perspectiva ars or the science of optics. In the 1590’s, perspective became synonymous with techniques in art. By 1762, it was also used to describe one’s mental outlook.
We could label this an evolution but it is really more a process of maturing. A process that starts with conception, develops into science, progresses into art, and finally expands its scope. The story of perspective is a story of changing perspective.
Conception
The origin of perspective is tied to the origin of optics — from the Greek for “look or appearance”. The Greeks, as often the case, invented the theories associated with both light and vision. These early theories had two very distinct points of view. All puns intended.
The first, offered by Ptolemy was very influential on the near-term future of optics. Ptolemy’s History of Optics, while possibly premature, would heavily influence the coming science. Whether it inspired the creators of Superman is an interesting question, but serves here to illustrate the way this very direct point of view worked. Ptolemy modeled vision as an emission from our eyes used to see the surrounding world.
The second, offered by Aristotle was ultimately more accurate. Aristotle benefited from a more indirect point of view. He actually built an early camera device to view the sun. His differentiated perspective allowed him to understand that the eyes were the receivers and not the emitters of light rays.
Both of these great philosophers had two things in common which will help us further develop this story. They were astronomers and they spent time in Alexandria. The former is important to any number of sciences but hinges on a science that forces perspective. Man’s love of astronomy initiated the growth of mathematics, physics, printing, and yes, optics.
The Science of Optic
The Science of Optics probably begins in Alexandria around 750BC. Here early lenses were being crafted for use in both astronomy and navigation. The Egyptian, as often their case, were busy putting the theories of Greece to practical use.
The creation of a lens is also important to our story for two reasons. First, it changed the perspective on optics, moving it from a process that was only perceived to one that could be tested and observed. This, in turn, changed optics from a theory into a science, but would also require a change of location.
Enter Alhazen. Well, actually we need to wait roughly a millennia and travel to Basra. There the man known as Second Ptolemy would utilize a copy of his namesakes writings and a little help from a physician named Galen to create the science of optics. Galen, for the record, was a student of Aristotle, though not directly, who spend a good deal of time understanding the human eye.
Personally, I would liken Alhazen more to a Second Aristotle. He was a master teacher and analyst.
The duty of the man who investigates the writings of scientists, if learning the truth is his goal, is to make himself an enemy of all that he reads, and … attack it from every side. He should also suspect himself as he performs his critical examination of it, so that he may avoid falling into either prejudice or leniency. Alhazen
Alhazen’s work would be published in the Book of Optics. This, as often the case, was translated into Latin in the 12th Century as Perspectiva. This work would be the inspiration for dozens of later scientists and inventors, of whom I will only mention Roger Bacon. Not because he was more influential than the others, only because everything is better with Bacon.
Perspective in the Art
The history of perspective in art is a cluster. This is often the case. A phrase I like to use when referring to some of history’s recurring themes. Like the theories of Greece, the inventions of Egypt, the mass translation that occurred in 12th century Italy, the Renaissance is predictable for our inability to properly attribute much of anything. So I won’t try…
What is important to our story is somewhere between 1350 and 1570 perspective became very popular in Renaissance art. It is also worth noting that this popularity was likely enabled by a handful of architects. Architecture being one of those disciplines that often cross between science and art is a natural facilitator for this sort of change.
With this expansion in perspective the term continued to mature and evolve. Seeing little need to worry about causality, it is safe to say that this evolution created quite a positive feedback loop in both science and art. Artists began to leverage unusual perspectives in their work and scientists quickly realized that many of these perspectives were more of a reality than originally thought.
Expanding Perspective
By the late 1700's, the term perspective was now being used figuratively. It was used to describe one’s mental outlook. With political, religious, and economic philosophy so prevalent at that time, it might have been a natural extension. It is arguable that this final change brought perspective back to its origins.
Today, perspective retains all of its many incarnations. Unlike many other terms, its development did not involve many severe shifts. It is certainly not unique in this, but it is very apropos or possibly even a bit poetic. Regardless, there is much to learn from its maturation over time. It is a model of perspective.
For deeper reading, consider going to the source.
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For more information on the author visit his profile on LinkedIN — George Earl
