Historical Overview of Perspective Techniques in Geometry

This lecture provides an in-depth examination of the evolution of representation techniques from Antiquity to the Renaissance, focusing on the development of perspective. It begins with a discussion of the historical context, highlighting the lack of perspective knowledge in Antiquity and the gradual advancements made during the Middle Ages. The instructor presents three main theses regarding the understanding of perspective: the cautious thesis, which argues that perspective was not known in Antiquity; the bold thesis, which claims that some form of perspective was indeed recognized; and the cultural thesis, suggesting a different, more naturalistic approach to representation. The lecture emphasizes the contributions of key figures such as Brunelleschi, Masaccio, and Alberti, detailing their experiments and theoretical advancements in perspective. The discussion also touches on the significance of optical principles and how they influenced artistic practices. By the end of the lecture, students gain a comprehensive understanding of how perspective techniques evolved and their implications for architecture and art.