Computer-aided illusions: Ambiguity, perspective and motion

Abstract

The use of distorted perspective and an understanding of optics by Renaissance artists resulted in the creation of unique illusions in their work. Today, the need to translate satellite pictures into a rectilinear format and to project, record and adapt images to the different aspect ratios of film and video, is causing new algorithms to be written into software. These programs simplify and automate the task of converting distorted perspective into a proper linear perspective and the reverse. While investigating the use of these technologies to create new illusions in art, I rediscovered unique phenomenona in two different Renaissance paintings.