Within the Medieval Perspectival Image: New Methods Old Art

Abstract

The premise of this paper is that the application of new visualization methods to the study of medieval perspective will reveal features, qualities, characteristics, patterns and typologies that would otherwise not be visible, and that these newly envisioned elements will provide the basis for a new set of questions as to the nature of the medieval spatial construct. Case studies will include an analysis showing the amount of area shown as Heaven and as Earth in Giotto’s Arena Chapel compared to the same in the frescos in the Upper Basilica in Assisi. The quantities will be measured using AutoCad and the data will be visualised with scatter plots using Viewshare. Another case study also using AutoCad and Viewshare will show the consistency of lines of sight measured as angles in the same frescos.

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