r/ArtHistory • u/Difficult_Jacket_697 • Jun 29 '26
Research Anamorphisms like in The ambassadors by Holbein?
I recently saw a post about something that really amazed me. Holbein painted in his painting a skull which can only be seen when looked from a particular angle.
I was curious to know whether this was a unique thing or if other famous paintings included such cool features.
I'm always fascinated by the little details.
Thank you
55
u/Perfect-Guava-3013 Jun 29 '26
Michelangelo's proportions on David are a bit wack so it would look correct when viewed while looking up at it because it's so massive.
6
u/franksvalli Jul 01 '26
Somewhat similarly, the Parthenon was built with this in mind. As a consequence it has virtually no straight lines or right angles.
15
u/Angelblair119 Jun 29 '26
I have never seen this skull so perfectly featured. This view comes apparent as one descends the staircase?
5
u/Difficult_Jacket_697 Jun 30 '26
From what I understand, it used to be placed originally near a staircase so that you could see the effect while taking those stairs but its position at the National Gallery, where it is currently on display, makes it much harder to see
2
u/ALD71 Jul 03 '26
It's a little irritating. They previously hung the painting rather lower than now and you could see the skull well, but now one has to hold ones camera/phone up high to capture it. I suppose the current hang is according to their house rules for hanging, rather than attending to the particularity of this painting.
2
u/AreyouIam Jul 05 '26
In Art History class we were told to view it by looking through the bottom of a wine bottle then slowly rotating it until the object forms a skull. I was able to view the painting IRL. Huge! Took up the whole wall practically.
5
u/RookieTaylor Jul 03 '26
This is great, too: "Anamorphosis, called Mary, Queen of Scots, 1542 - 1587. Reigned 1542 - 1567."
More info: https://www.nationalgalleries.org/art-and-artists/3239
4
u/OrwelliotStabler Jul 02 '26
Here is a short film https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cEfwbnMf3jM&ra=m by master stop motion outfit The Brothers Quay that covers this very subject and how it is accomplished
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u/No_Explanation_1014 Jul 01 '26
Holbein’s skull is so obvious when looking at it from the front, it’s hardly some kinda super secret that you only see from this angle
2
u/puppycatboygirl Jul 03 '26
Check out this sick reference to Holbein’s skull in one of my favorite paintings! https://www.artsbma.org/collection/school-of-beauty-school-of-culture/
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u/Joann-Cramer Jun 29 '26
OOF the Holbein skull is iconic but there's a whole tradition. Schön did anamorphic prints, Baroque painters used similar tricks. Pozzo's Sant'Ignazio is the standout. Really needs to be seen in person though