noun

perspective

The representation of depth and distance on a flat surface.

The artist uses perspective to make the road appear to recede.

Etymology

The Latin verb means to look through or examine. The artistic technique organizes a flat image so the viewer sees an apparent depth extending through it.

More examples

  • We practice drawing boxes in perspective.
  • The perspective looks wrong because the distant windows are too large.
  • Careful use of perspective gives this mural a sense of depth.

Forms

perspective

Similar words

foreshortening
Specifically shortens depicted objects to suggest their extension into depth.
depth
Names the apparent dimension rather than the method of representation.