Groundline

/ˈɡraʊndlaɪn/ noun

Definition

In art and perspective drawing, the baseline at the bottom of an image that represents where objects sit on the ground; the horizon line at ground level.

Etymology

Compound word from 'ground' plus 'line,' a technical term in art history and drawing that appears in Renaissance treatises on perspective.

Kelly Says

Renaissance artists obsessed over groundlines—getting them right was essential for creating the illusion of depth and realistic space, which is why perspective drawing was considered almost magical.

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