Thursday, April 7, 2011

Environmental Psychology: Tiepolo and Wurzburg Palace

In the mid-1700's, an Italian fresco painter was asked to paint the ceiling of a German palace.  In the planning of the fresco, the artist considered the viewers point of view, so much that the results were chilling.
 
 When entering the palace and approaching the stairs, the viewer would only be able to see part of the ceiling.

 As the viewer climbed the stairs, more of the ceiling would be revealed.

 At the landing, the viewer would turn and see more of the ceiling.

 ...until the whole ceiling would be revealed.

 Tiepolo's use of approach and revelation by time-space interaction of the viewer, allow him to create a sense of narrative and surprise.  The viewer is told a story that unfolds with each step up the stairs and culminates in a glorious experience resolved in the last steps of the climb.  Be the Missing Link!!!

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