Introduction What is Art History questions

1.Why does this building look natural when the top and bottom lines of this building are not parallel?
The building looks natural because the lines create the illusion of the viewers perspective directing their sight to the sunset in the background.

2.Why is this boat in the foreground much larger than the sailing ship in the background?
The boat in the foreground is much larger than the sailing ship in the background because the artists wanted to show the depth perception in the painting. Objects that are further away from the viewer tend to get smaller and smaller.

3.Why would a 17th century French painter set a biblical story in a contemporary harbor with a Roman Ruin?
The artist Claude Lorrain spent most of his life in Italy and was best known for his landscape paintings. He most likely set the biblical story based on the beauty of the buildings and landscapes he saw during his time in Italy.