The Effect of Ibn al-Haytham’s Vision Theory on the Prevalence of Linear Perspective in the Renaissance Painting

Linear perspective provides a pattern to represent a space which relates to some of the rules of Vision Science. This type of perspective has become popular in Europe since 15th century on the basis of Ibn al- Haytham’s Vision Theory. According to a historical- Analytical research, the effects of this theory have been considered from two aspects: Firstly, the translation of the “Book of Optics” in Latin made it possible that European artists become familiar with Ibn al- Haytham’s Vision Theory. In this theory, he describes how image is created in the eye. Secondly, through transferring his dark room to Europe, the European artists were able to use it to transfer pictures exactly to the canvas. As a result of this acquaintance, linear perspective became prevalent in Europe. Moreover, it is technically and scientifically possible for artists to make pictures on the basis of the focus point of the observer, which is in fact his inverted vision cone.