Mathematical perspective is the realistic representation of a three dimensional object on a two dimensional surface. In a perspective drawing, vertical lines in an image are drawn as vertical lines on the paper or canvas. Parallel horizontal lines, however, are drawn as oblique lines that converge to a single point, known as the vanishing point. A projection is a mapping of a geometrical figure onto a plane according to certain rules. The history of perspective and projection is an interesting one whose origins lie not in the field of mathematics, but in art.

Medieval paintings are noted for their lack of visual depth. Artists from those times focused on themes, using symbolism within a painting to convey a message. They did not attempt to create visual realism. The third dimension--depth--was not recreated. As a result, figures in medieval paintings looked flat. As the middle ages gave way...