Blog Post #3

Leonardo da Vinci, Virgin of the Rocks, 1483-1486, Oil on Panel, 78.3 in × 48.0 in

An implied line is a line that is not actually in the work but that the viewer "makes" by filling in the blanks and, essentially, "connecting the dots." In Virgin of the Rocks by Leonardo da Vinci, the implied lines are sight lines, which is one of the strongest kinds of implied lines. Here, the angel in the red cape at the right is looking out toward the viewer while pointing, and then points at the infant  on the left, now known to be John the Baptist.  The infant John, in turn, looks at the infant on the right, known to be Jesus, who is, in turnm looking back at him. Above, the Virgin Mary looks down at Jesus and gestures toward him with her hand. Basically, the work brings the viewer into a cycle of movement and action. However, this is only possible by following the sight lines of each of the people in the work.

Henri Matisse, Blue Nude, 1952, Gouache-painted paper cut-outs on paper, 45.7 in x 35 in



An outline in art is when the edge of a shape or figure is depicted by an actual line. This

silhouete in Matisse's Blue Nude is perhaps one of the best examples of an outline. The body of the woman in this work is represented merely by lines that shape her figure. There is no detail further than just lines representing the edge of the figure in a crouched position. Thus, Matisse has provided a great example of outline in this wor.

Raphael, The School of Athens, 1509-1510, Fresco, 200 in × 300 in

 One-point linear perspective is a version of perspective in which there is only one vanishing point in the work. A vanishing point is the spot in the work in which all of the lines meet. In The School of Athens, the vanishing point is positioned directly behind the work's main subjects: Plato, the teacher, and his pized pupil Aristotle. Thus, the one-point linear perspective in this work is very useful insofar as it funnels the eye deeper and deeper into the work until it finally leads to the main point of the work. Thus, the technique is very useful.

Edward Hopper, The Mansard Roof, 1923, Watercolor, 13.75 in x 19 in

 Two-point linear perspective is a version of perspective in which there are two or more vanishing points present in the work. This work by Edward Hopper is a great example of two-point perspective as the lines from the work meet at two different and distinct vanishing points. While this does not funnel in the eye as well as the aforementioned one-point perspective technique did, it is still very useful.


Caravaggio, Supper at Emmaus, 1601, Oil on Canvas, 56 in × 77.2 in

Foreshortening is a technique that creates the appearance that the object of a work is extending into space by shortening the lines with which that object is drawn. This work by Caravaggio is a great example of foreshortening. The extended arms of the people in the work seem to be almost three-dimensional, extending past the frame and inviting the viewer into the scene. This is only achieved by the technique of foreshortening as the extended arms are made of shortened lines to make this work.

Vincent van Gogh, Road with Cypress and Star, 1890, Oil on Canvas, Exact dimensions unknown



An expressive line reveals the personaliity of the artist who draws them. These lines show the same personality, emotions, and feelings of the artist who drew them and can be even be autographic, which means that mere lines, like a signature, identify with the artist. Vincent van Gogh is one of the few artists whose lines have this quality. In this work, one can see these autographic qualities on show. The lines in the work are free and loose. It seems as if the lines are about to lose control. However, they are clearly controlled and drawn with masterful precision. These autographic qualities make the lines in this work great examples of expressive lines.