The Art of Illusion: Leonardo da Vinci
SKETCH OF ST. ANNE: Leonardo da Vinci
From the simple to the complex "art of illusion" Leonardo da Vinci seems to provide an endless source of skill and methods of hiding images throughout his art. Let's start with a fun and simple illusion by simply flipping this sketch upside down.
Sit back and stare at the area outlined in green.
The area outlined above becomes the eye of a man, looking to the left, with a white beard. See him?
Face outlined.
Closer view with a white out effect: Face of a man.
Removing color may help some see better, but it's not necessary.
Shifting my focus to the areas circled in green suddenly two eyes appear forming the face of an animal. (A baby deer, perhaps?)
Once you really grasp the concept of this illusion you should begin to see many other faces; human and animal, as well as numbers and letters.
For an amazing, though more complex illusion...
If I may ask you to stand up in front of your computer screen about a yard/meter or further (think of this as the 6 O'clock position.) Then if you'll simply position yourself at 7 o'clock and then 8 o'clock, staring dead center at this sketch as you move, you should see an amazing; yet, far more complex illusion take place. (Outlined below.) For anyone limited in mobility click on image for a smaller view.
If you view from a distance and staring from an angle to the left of your computer screen (as described above) the areas outlined in green look like the eyes and mouth of what looks, to me, as the face of an APE. There are several similar illusions within this sketch if you just give it some distance, try different angles and a little time and patience!
The longer I stare at this sketch the more illusions of hidden faces, both animal and human, I begin to see.
You may also notice simple, yet cleverly hidden mages of snakes within ST. ANNE'S head covering.
If you stare at the area outlined in green you should begin to get the distinct impression of a large, full set of lips! Then back away from your computer screen, as described above, trying different distances and angles.
Reverse image and remember to try standing to the right (4 o'clock position) and to the left (8 o'clock position) of your computer screen viewing from different distances.
Removing color may help.
Rotated left.
Rotated right. With the smaller views try simply moving your head to 8 o'clock and... Well, I see another face or two!
Eyes and mouth outlined. Looks like the face of a gorilla/ape and then it seems to morph into what looks like the head of a snake.
If you're not seeing anything, please take a look at some of the other examples given below. If you're not on my main page click here: www.n2davinciandbeyond.com/
N 2 DA VINCI AND BEYOND...
Hi La Jan! I think you are a "illusion virtuoso"..Have you ever spoken to an artist about hidden images? Of course I mean modern artists,not Da Vinci! But it would be interesting to hear his views all the same. Looks like us going through a medium perhaps!
Keep up your fine work, it's always great to read your observations.
Mark (one of the names I've been known to answer to..)
Posted by: Mark Antony | February 03, 2008 at 04:31 AM