Artists have always used exaggerated perspective to add drama to their images. During Renaissance times in Italy they were amongst the first to use perspective to create more more realistic or naturalistic images. Prior to that, artists used a completely different code of 'perspective' based on the relative importance or relative seniority of the people in the paintings and natural perspective was not employed at all.
This phenomenon can be seen in religious iconography where the Madonna will be, proportionally much bigger than the Christ child or any other mere mortals being depicted.
I have chosen some photographs and paintings as examples of the use of exaggerated perspective for you to examine. Each image is trying to create a different dramatic effect or convey a different message.
Anthony Green RA
Artist unknown
This seems to a story about 'biting the hand that feeds you' The focus is on the hand and the food that was being offered. The hand is almost as big as the whole figure of the lion tamer becasue of the exaggerated perspective.
The photographer from this wedding company is using the railway lines to focus in the the groom.
Exaggerated perspective of small fishing boats is a common way of depicting wooden boats. This device shows off the graceful curves of the little boat and emphasises its wooden construction.
This cartoonist has used exaggerated perspective to emphasise the speed at which Yogi Bear is rushing along with a ladder in hand.
This depiction of the crucifixion gives the viewer a real sense of Christ's ascension and his vehicle is the wooden cross. The very manliness of Christ is the focus of our attention with his arms and shoulders in the foreground. Below him, life is still carrying on as usual on the shores of Lake Galilee.
