The effect of inaccurate perspective on impression of paintings - the protocol analysis of observers’ free talking

This study examined the effect of inaccurate perspective on the impression of paintings by means of the protocol analysis of observers’ free talking. Participants observed two paintings by renowned artists used as stimuli in two conditions, either simultaneously (Exp.1) or with 1-week interval (Exp.2). In the original condition, they were presented in their original form drawn in inaccurate perspective. In the modified condition, reproduced paintings in which some objects and lines were modified to fit accurate perspective were presented. Participants observed these paintings and were asked to talk freely what they felt and thought. The results showed that inaccuracy of perspective in paintings was difficult to be spontaneously noticed by general observers. Participants’ talk was not limited to the objective description of the paintings, but ranged over subjective impression such as imagined time, place, and person. The qualitative and quantitative analysis of the protocol data suggested that there were certain objects to which participants commonly paid attention and certain processing of impression formation commonly held by participants.