This gallery demonstrates the use of vanishing points in pieces of art and those demonstrated in photos. A vanishing point is the point at which different parallel lines intersect at a point in the picture plane.The use of vanishing points help show a sense of depth in the photo or piece of art. I have different pieces that show the different ways that vanishing points are depicted. Some are incorporated into landscapes and others that involve moving parts and objects. For most pictures that have vanishing points they are quit obvious, but others aren't so clear.
The Abduction of Europa, Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn, 1632, From the collection of: The J. Paul Getty Museum
Our eyes are first drawn to the women at the front of this piece, but then drift off into the back ground to the left middle.I think this is a great piece because you slowing end up in the distance where the buildings are in the vanishing point.
Forest path near Spandau, Carl Blechen, around 1835, From the collection of: Alte Nationalgalerie, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin
This one is different from the last because your eyes are immediately drawn to the background where you find the building. The vanishing point acts as the light at the end of the tunnel of forrest.
The Grand Canal from Palazzo Balbi towards the Rialto, Antonio Canal detto Canaletto, c. 1722, From the collection of: Ca' Rezzonico - Museum of the 18th century Venice
The amount of detail in this tremendous, but you still end up working your way back into the distance until you can't make out the difference between buildings and objects. A great example that demonstrates the depth of the canal.
Southern Railway Systems, Oil Train, Francis Miller, 1948-01, From the collection of: LIFE Photo Collection
I like this example of a vanishing point because it is one of the more basic. We have a set of parallel lines leading us back to the point. The classic example of a train coming at us from afar.
Road To Notre Dame, Bob Landry, 1944-08, From the collection of: LIFE Photo Collection
This road with the tanks vanishes in the distance, almost making it seem as if there are and unlimited number of tanks following the ones we see.
Arthur Schatz, 1967, From the collection of: LIFE Photo Collection
We can easily see ourselves in one of these cars slowly but surely driving into this big city, becoming one of many. Getting lost in the crowded city. Realizing that there is no one going out of the city gives this vanishing point an eerie feel. I like it a lot.
Peking, China, John Dominis, 1972-03, From the collection of: LIFE Photo Collection
This photo is another good example of a vanishing point. The eyes drift from the left to the right, into the foggy distance, demonstrating the distance perceived in this photo. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cs26kILwv-U this is just a basic intro into vanishing point, buts is similar to this photo because I can definitely see this photo being easily sketched.
Jacob's Dream, Sir James Thornhill, 1675–1734, British, 1705, From the collection of: Yale Center for British Art
This painting is similar to the others because of the distance that is depicted here. The ladder fades away into the distance but instead of the earthly, into the heavens. For the most part we can guess what the environment and surroundings are where the vanishing point leads, but this one leads to the truly unknown, Heaven.
Credits: All media
This user gallery has been created by an independent third party and may not represent the views of the institutions whose collections include the featured works or of Google Arts & Culture.
