The aim of this research is to highlight the architect’s creative skills while designing an artefact that refers to the divine model. Perspective representation is the means by which everything is seen in proportional relationships, producing an artificial image that filters reality through another system of metric relations. After a brief investigation of the historical context of the Holy Conversation, the paper focuses on the study of proportion and perspective. Piero’s painting is a rectangle composed of 6x10 square modules, whose sides are equal to 8/10 of the Urbino foot (38.3541 cm). The horizon line is placed at a height of 4 modules, and the square 6x6 acts as the basic unit for a Latin cross church plan whose nave’s area is equal to three 6x6 squares, and whose transept is composed of one 6x6 square and two 4x6 rectangles. An additional 4x6 rectangle produces a space containing the apse with lacunars. The viewpoint of the perspective is 15 modules away from the picture plane. The study of the geometrical construction and its relationship with the measure of the architecture and its perspective representation, allows us to formulate hypotheses and discuss some doubtful conclusions previously set by historians. The research is a part of the National Research project PRIN “Architectural Perspectives: digital preservation, dissemination and study”
Perspective and proportion in the Montefeltro altarpiece of Piero della Francesca
Giampiero Mele
2017-01-01
Abstract
The aim of this research is to highlight the architect’s creative skills while designing an artefact that refers to the divine model. Perspective representation is the means by which everything is seen in proportional relationships, producing an artificial image that filters reality through another system of metric relations. After a brief investigation of the historical context of the Holy Conversation, the paper focuses on the study of proportion and perspective. Piero’s painting is a rectangle composed of 6x10 square modules, whose sides are equal to 8/10 of the Urbino foot (38.3541 cm). The horizon line is placed at a height of 4 modules, and the square 6x6 acts as the basic unit for a Latin cross church plan whose nave’s area is equal to three 6x6 squares, and whose transept is composed of one 6x6 square and two 4x6 rectangles. An additional 4x6 rectangle produces a space containing the apse with lacunars. The viewpoint of the perspective is 15 modules away from the picture plane. The study of the geometrical construction and its relationship with the measure of the architecture and its perspective representation, allows us to formulate hypotheses and discuss some doubtful conclusions previously set by historians. The research is a part of the National Research project PRIN “Architectural Perspectives: digital preservation, dissemination and study”I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
