The stage front of Teatro Olimpico, with miniature perspective streets visible through its openings.

Architectural illusions / 1585 — perspective scenery

A City Hidden behind the Stage

Short stage streets appear to run deep into an ancient city.

TRY THIS

Look through the central arch, then the side openings. Compare the apparent street lengths with the space occupied by the stage front.

ORIGIN / ATTRIBUTION

Vincenzo Scamozzi; theatre designed by Andrea Palladio

1585 — perspective scenery

Teatro Olimpico, Vicenza, Italy

The story behind it

Palladio designed the Teatro Olimpico in 1580. After his death, Vincenzo Scamozzi created its perspective streets for the 1585 inaugural production of Sophocles’ Oedipus the King. Seven streets representing Thebes are visible through the stage openings; the wooden scenery became a permanent part of the theatre.

What’s happening?

The streets narrow and their buildings shrink rapidly as they recede. This accelerated perspective makes the limited depth behind the stage seem extensive. Multiple street axes offer views through different openings rather than requiring one single central sightline for the whole audience.

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VicenzaItalytheatrestage designforced perspectiveScamozziPalladio

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History, evidence & image credit

THE IMAGE IN THIS ARCHIVE

Didier Descouens

Original file & attribution · CC BY-SA 4.0

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