linear perspective

American  

noun

1. a mathematical system for representing three-dimensional objects and space on a two-dimensional surface by means of intersecting lines that are drawn vertically and horizontally and that radiate from one point one-point perspective, two points two-point perspective, or several points on a horizon line as perceived by a viewer imagined in an arbitrarily fixed position.

---

linear perspective British  

noun

1. the branch of perspective in which the apparent size and shape of objects and their position with respect to foreground and background are established by actual or suggested lines converging on the horizon

---

Etymology

Origin of linear perspective

First recorded in 1835–45

Example Sentences

He based his naturalistic art on the mathematically calculated theory of linear perspective.

From New York Times • Mar. 23, 2023

Avery composed with large areas of flat color, creating depth with color contrasts and harmonies instead of shifts in scale and linear perspective.

From Washington Post • Mar. 16, 2022

The artist, Lorenzo Monaco, painted during the Renaissance period, but the work was created before linear perspective had replaced the “two-dimensional” style of Gothic painting.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2020

Here, Brunelleschi was unquestionably influenced by a medieval Arab thinker, Ibn al-Haytham, whose Book of Optics laid out theories of light and sight perception that described linear perspective.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2020

The conditions of linear perspective are somewhat rigid.

From The Theory and Practice of Perspective by Storey, G. A. (George Adolphus)