At the bottom of this painting, a strange smear is actually a skull. Viewed from the side, the distorted shape snaps into focus.

Holbein painted this unusual perspective in 1533. The skull becomes recognizable when you change where you stand and look at the painting from the side.

A painting that changes when you move

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.

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

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

A painting that changes when you move

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