Scale and Proportions - Chapter 4

Proportion is best compared to

The Mathematical system of numerical ratios

Scale is another word for size. True or False?

True 1

In past centuries the size of a figure was often based on the symbolic importance in the subject being presented. This is also known as:

Hieratic Scaling

We don’t think of the artistic scale of the work itself as it stands in relation to other art or human size. True or False?

False

The scale of an artwork has no impact on our attention because our focus is always on subject matter. True or False?

False

Scale within a work of art provides meaning, context and often a clue to how it is made or meant to be interpreted.

True 2

One of the least important considerations in scale and proportion is the study of the size and scale of elements within the design.

False

When we alter the proportional relationships between the parts of a design, we:

Change the total effect

When small objects are magnified or large ones reduced, this is called:

Unexpected or Exaggerated scale

When we combine both large and small scale in a composition the result is:

A dramatic contrast

An art form based on a paradox that intentionally uses scale changes to intrigue or mystify us is:

Surrealism

The ancient Greeks in their desire to discover ideal proportions in architectural design used this mathematical ratio.

The golden rectangle

This ratio of width is to length as length is to length plus width (w:l as l:l + w) is also known as the golden mean.

True 3

Other rectangle formulas are derived from the square but almost never make sense.

False

Root rectangles are derived from the square and proportions that follow these rules are often used in art and design work.

True 4

Contemporary artists and designers still conform to the Roman canon of proportion.

False

The sheer size of an artwork sometimes impresses us. Examples include:

Both frescoes and earthworks

Unusual scale in art can be justified by:

Theme,Function and Purpose

Proportion is linked to ratio

True 5

In this enigmatic painting by Magritte, he challenges the viewer with ______________.

Confusion of Scale