Masters of Illusion [VHS]

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Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Binding: VHS Tape
EAN: 9786303304298
Format: Color, NTSC
ISBN: 630330429X
Label: Homevision
Manufacturer: Homevision
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: Homevision
Release Date: June 13, 2000
Running Time: 30 minutes
Studio: Homevision
Theatrical Release Date: 1991


 

Editorial Review:

Amazon.com:
This documentary hosted by James Burke is a fascinating examination of the concept of how we see things, specifically how images that appear to our eyes to be three-dimensional are rendered convincingly on flat surfaces. Starting out in a movie studio special effects lab, Burke explains how visual illusions practiced today actually began during the Renaissance, when painters first mastered the skills of incorporating the idea of depth into paintings. The principle of "linear perspective," in which parallel lines all diverge to a common vanishing point, sounds complicated, but the examples shown in this documentary make the idea perfectly clear to the layperson. By way of contrast, paintings completed before the Renaissance are shown, and it's immediately clear to the viewer that artists who hadn't mastered perspective drew scenes that appear flat on the canvas. But when artists such as Brunelleschi and Michelangelo practiced using perspective, art suddenly jumped forward. Quotes from Leonardo da Vinci's writings, in which he talked about perspective and the effects of light, are offered along with examples of his paintings that illustrate beautifully how a master used a scientific principle to create great art. This is an unusual documentary that makes fascinating a subject that most people have never considered, though it relates to things we see everyday. --Robert J. McNamara

Description:
The extraordinary special effects we enjoy in films today are based on principles established more than 500 years ago by Renaissance masters such as Brunelleschi, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli, and Raphael. This film examines artistic and scientific discoveries of the Renaissance, provides new insight into a remarkable visual revolution, and uses modern technology to analyse the old masters in amazing new ways.

Average Rating:

Rating: - Must buy!
I'm an art teacher and use this video every year for my perspective unit. It's a must have video for all art teachers. I'm waiting for the dvd version to be produced.

Rating: - OVERPRICED!!!!
I am an educator and am highly insulted that someone out there is pricing a thirty minute "educational video" at such an absurd price! I would have been interested in having this video to help my students learn about perspective drawing, but I guess my students will just have to miss out on watching this video due to money hungry sellers on Amazon.

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Rating: - Excellent, but beware of errors
I enjoyed watching the video and have used portions of it in the university classes that I teach. Technically, it is quite good and the story line is captivating. But the slick production value of the video doesn't guarantee that they got all the facts right. I've heard grumblings about the National Gallery focusing on famous artists, giving them more credit for innovations than they deserve. For instance, Durer was a great artist, but the makers of this film give too much credit. Durer's contributions ... Read More

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Rating: - Great film for Renaissance History Class
I teach World History and this film is a very good introduction to the art of the Renaissance and the technology behind it. Beautiful examples of art with many of the Masters of the Renaissance included. It is also short, which helps to keep students engaged and interested! I really like this one!

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Rating: - Interesting But Not Outstanding
I bought this because it was used in a class I am taking and I wanted to review it. The price seems high for such a short (about 30 minutes) tape. Nevertheless, it is enjoyable and educational. It summarizes how the painters of the Renaissance developed mathematical models that enabled them to create realistic-looking perspective in their work, so that a flat painting could appear three-dimensional. The past is linked with the present, since these same principles are still being used today to create realistic ... Read More