Depth Perception in Linear and Inverse Perspective Pictures

The range of pictorial depth perception was tested with four pictures from the repertoire of European art, rather than the customary line drawings or photographs. These pictures included those rendered in linear perspective and inverse perspective, as well as those with different degrees of depth. Using Pandora’ Box, the subjects were asked to place a lamp at the same apparent depth as objects in the pictures. The subjects did so without regard to the depiction technique. The results suggest that depth is seen in pictures both where the rules of linear perspective hold and where they have been violated.