A painting that changes when you move

That strange smear at the bottom of this painting is a skull.

The National Gallery demonstrates how the distorted shape resolves into a skull — National Gallery. Twenty-second excerpt of its perspective demonstration, played at twice the original speed.

Look from the side and it snaps into shape. Holbein painted this distorted perspective in 1533.

The whole of Holbein’s The Ambassadors, painted in 1533 — Hans Holbein the Younger; National Gallery collection image. Original painting photograph resized.

Sometimes understanding a picture means changing where you stand.

The catalogue’s perspective diagram shows the skull from its intended viewing angle — National Gallery, Susan Foister catalogue, Figure 48. Original explanatory diagram resized.

That strange smear at the bottom of this painting is a skull.
Look from the side and it snaps into shape. Holbein painted this distorted perspective in 1533.
Sometimes understanding a picture means changing where you stand.

A painting that changes when you move

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