Scale & Proportion

I. Terms:

Scale & Proportion

II. Definition of the terms:

Scale and Proportion are related concepts.

• Scale is the size of an object compared to other objects.
• Proportion is the size of a part of an object compared to the rest of the object.

III. Examples of the terms:

SCALE:

We usually judge scale by the dimensions or amount of space occupied.

Jasper Johns Three Flags 1958

• These three flags demonstrate differences in scale.  Each flag increases in scale from the smallest to largest.

DIMINISHING SCALE:

The relative sizes of things can be adjusted to create the illusion of spatial depth. Figures/objects appear farther away if they are smaller in scale their proportions remain the same. Higher placement on the picture plane and overlapping add to this visual effect.

Edvard Munch The Dance of Life 1899-1900

• In this painting, some figures seem closer as a result of their larger scale.  The women on the far sides of the piece (in white and black) and the couple between them (in the black suit and red dress) are the largest figures and seem to be nearer than the smaller figures.

HIERARCHICAL SCALE:

Scale can be used to demonstrate the relative importance of figures

detail from Palette of Narmer c. 3000 BCE

• The most important person shown here is Narmer.  He united upper and lower Egypt so he is the largest figure.  The guys who helped him are smaller scale because they are less important. The other figures continue to decrease in scale and relative importance.

PROPORTION:

Proportion refers to the size relationships of parts to a whole. The human body is a familiar example of this concept. Since ancient times human beings have held beliefs about the ideal human proportions (the relationship of body parts to the whole body).

Warrior A 460-450 BCE

• This sculpture represents the ideal according to the ancient Greeks.

(figure 2.  Leonardo da Vinci Vitruvian Man c. 1492)

• The Ancient Egyptians and Leonardo da Vinci both used mathematics to calculate ideal human proportions.

• If you laughed (or even smiled) when you saw this picture, you ALSO have a concept of the ideal body!

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