Anamorphic art is an art of illusion. Artist needs to know how to modify the perspective in order to obtain the best results. More realistic one’s art is, better illusions one can create. To exercise anamorphic art it is not obligatory to draw, paint, or sculpt realistically, but it is the only way to better and stronger imitate illusionary 3D effects of reality.

In our days skilled artist can modify the perspective faster by using computer software to create anamorphic illusion, but historically speaking artists were using mathematic calculations to deform perspective in such a way that they could create desirable 3D effects. Some of the most know artworks from the past are William Scrots’s anamorphic portrait of king Edward VI, and the painting “Ambassadors“ of Holbein the Younger. Baroque represented a period in art where artists were interested in dynamic representations of their compositions. It was exercised mostly in decorative paintings of ceilings, where the knowledge of perspective and how to modify it was rather necessary in order to get the best results in 3D illusions of represented stories.

In our days few artists explore the anamorphic possibilities in art in very interesting way. Noah Scalin is composing large-scale portraits in situ from garments of various colors and papers. Jonty Hurwitz creates anamorphic sculptures to produce 3D illusions. Thomas Medicus works with pieces of glass that from different position one can see different forms in 3D. Bernard Pras creates from various objects anamorphic compositions. Portuguese artist Odeith does excellent 3D illusions with letters in a form of graffiti. I just mention those few who represent a kind of innovatory approach in anamorphic art according to my perception of it.