National Gallery of Art | Videos

The set design by Vincenzo Scamozzi for Palladio's covered theater draws us in. This segment shows how perspective is used to create space that isn't really there.

Palazzo Spada's Corridor in Rome demonstrates the use of forced perspective. Special effects reveal how Borromini used an optical trick to create the illusion of depth.

St. Francis of Paola, Performer of Miracles, one of the largest anamorphic paintings in existence today, is located in Santa Maria dei Monti at the top of the Spanish Steps in Rome. Computer animation illustrates how this extraordinary use of foreshortening creates an image that fools the eye.

Palazzo Spada's Corridor in Rome demonstrates the use of forced perspective. Special effects reveal how Borromini used an optical trick to create the illusion of depth.

St. Francis of Paola, Performer of Miracles, one of the largest anamorphic paintings in existence today, is located in Santa Maria dei Monti at the top of the Spanish Steps in Rome. Computer animation illustrates how this extraordinary use of foreshortening creates an image that fools the eye.

Using forced perspective in the apse of the small Church of Santa Maria presso San Satiro in Milan, Bramante created the illusion of a much larger space.

Sant'Ignazio's Ceiling in Rome is an amazing demonstration of illusionism on a monumental scale. This segment demonstrates that when the viewpoint of the fresco changes, the illusion is destroyed.

Using forced perspective in the apse of the small Church of Santa Maria presso San Satiro in Milan, Bramante created the illusion of a much larger space.

Sant'Ignazio's Ceiling in Rome is an amazing demonstration of illusionism on a monumental scale. This segment demonstrates that when the viewpoint of the fresco changes, the illusion is destroyed.

Over the course of seven hours, on June 5, 2008, Martin Puryear and 12 art handlers installed Ladder for Booker T. Washington at the National Gallery of Art in the East Building, Rotunda. This time-lapse movie demonstrates the process of hoisting the 36-foot-long ash and maple sculpture into the Rotunda in the West Building of the National Gallery of Art. Produced in conjunction with the exhibition Martin Puryear.

Over the course of seven hours, on June 5, 2008, Martin Puryear and 12 art handlers installed Ladder for Booker T. Washington at the National Gallery of Art in the West Building, Rotunda. This time-lapse movie demonstrates the process of hoisting the 36-foot-long ash and maple sculpture into the Rotunda in the West Building of the National Gallery of Art. Produced in conjunction with the exhibition Martin Puryear.

The Magic of Illusion—presented here in a seven-part podcast series—is a film about how we see, what we see, or what it is we think we see. Al Roker guides us on a journey into the secrets of illusion, utilizing special effects to illustrate the artistic and visionary discoveries of the Renaissance. While Copernicus and Columbus were changing our understanding of the world, the Renaissance masters were dramatically changing the way we see that world. The film uses recent technology to look at old works in new ways. Each segment of this podcast presentation unlocks new secrets of illusion and perspective as seen in the works of old masters.

In 1427 inside Santa Maria Novella, Florence, Masaccio created the masterpiece The Trinity using linear perspective for the first time. This segment explains how he was able to make the wall behind the work seem to disappear so that the painting becomes an extension of the room the viewer is in.

In 1427 inside Santa Maria Novella, Florence, Masaccio created the masterpiece The Trinity using linear perspective for the first time. This segment explains how he was able to make the wall behind the work seem to disappear so that the painting becomes an extension of the room the viewer is in.

The Magic of Illusion—presented here in a seven-part podcast series—is a film about how we see, what we see, or what it is we think we see. Al Roker guides us on a journey into the secrets of illusion, utilizing special effects to illustrate the artistic and visionary discoveries of the Renaissance. While Copernicus and Columbus were changing our understanding of the world, the Renaissance masters were dramatically changing the way we see that world. The film uses recent technology to look at old works in new ways. Each segment of this podcast presentation unlocks new secrets of illusion and perspective as seen in the works of old masters.