In 1415, Linear Perspective Was Rediscovered

Perspective in a painting creates the illusion of depth and distance on a flat surface,

The earliest art did not show perspective.

Reproduction of Lascaux artwork in Lascaux IIJack Versloot - originally posted to Flickr as Lascaux II

It is believed that around the 5th century B.C.E in ancient Greece, a system of perspective was developed in theatrical scenery and then lost.

The ancient Romans also developed linear perspective. For example, Roman Frescoes from Room M of the Villa of Publius Fannius Synistor, c. 50-40 B.C.E., originally Boscoreale, creates a convincing 3D illusionism, due to the use of linear perspective.

Roman; Cubiculum (bedroom) from the Villa of P. Fannius Synistor; Date    ca. 50–40 B.C

The Gardenscape from Villa of Livia, from Italy c. 30-20 BCE, uses a technique called atmospheric perspective, by blurring the most distant forms.

Villa of Livia - Garden fresco from Italy c. 30-20 BCE, Gleb Simonov -

However, it was not until the year 1415 that the artist and architect Filippo Brunelleschi rediscovered linear Perspective using a mathematical approach.

When creating a painting, Filippo Brunelleschi determined the vanishing point, the point on the horizon where parallel lines converge, and then drilled a hole.

Perspective drawing for Church of Santo Spirito in Florence ilippo Brunelleschi Date: c.1428; Italy 

By using converging lines leading towards this central point (the hole), the vanishing point creates an illusion of depth.

It is believed that Brunelleschi developed the technique by studying classical architecture.

Brunelleschi used mathematical calculations to scale objects within a painting to make them seem more realistic.

Soon many artists were using Brunelleschi's technique to create an accurate illusion of space that seemed natural.

This change, from the flatness of Medieval art, was integral to the development of Renaissance art.

The Delivery of the Keys fresco, 1481–1482, Sistine Chapel, by Perugino (1481–1482), features both linear perspective and Brunelleschi's architectural style
Pietro Perugino -