In the Renaissance in Florence the city fathers forbade under pain of prison to throw any waste matter such as urine and feces out of the windows. That was not only for sanitary and hygienic reasons, aesthetic reasons existed too. Sprigs of rosemary, sage. mint, laurel and lavender hung from every door. The smell emanating from these streets inspired others to imitate clean habits. Inevitably, young artists who hoped to gain an apprenticeship with a great Maestro used the sidewalks as canvases and displayed their work in this way. It is said that the young Donatello, Cellini, Michelangelo, and Leonardo used this medium when they were but children.
Today a talented English painter, Julian Beever paints splendiferous works on everyday themes on pavements, on sidewalks and on streets.
His technique is known as anamorphism. One side of his painting is deliberately distorted. Viewed from a certain angle, he creates an incredible and breathtaking optical 3D effect. Yes indeed! Beever is a Master Illusionist. If I were the DOD - the Pentagon I would run to see his works.
Remember how Potemkin used optical illusions and cardbord and wood to fool the vicious enemies of the Russians during the period of Catherine the Great?
Bravissimo Julian Beever!!!
For more information about Mr. Beever and his work go to: http://users.skynet.be/J.Beever/pave.htm
