Why does each region come forward as the figure rather than staying as ground? Sort by the cue that decides it.
Groups: Because it is the smaller of the two regions · Because it is enclosed by the other region · Because its contour bulges outwards rather than inwards
- Bulging convex region
- Small pale patch
- Contained inside ring
- Convex lobe seen over hollow
- Enclosed space in block
- Narrow bright sliver
Hints
- Two of the six are decided purely by which region occupies less of the field.
- Two are decided by which region is inside the other.
Show the answer
Because it is the smaller of the two regions: Small pale patch, Narrow bright sliver
Because it is enclosed by the other region: Contained inside ring, Enclosed space in block
Because its contour bulges outwards rather than inwards: Bulging convex region, Convex lobe seen over hollow
The three cues can be set against each other, and Rubin's vase does exactly that: make the two regions equal in area, mutually enclosing and equally convex, and the reading flips back and forth because nothing decides it. A composition with an accidental tie of that kind is unstable in a way its painter usually cannot see any more.
Practise The Principles of Visual Perception
The app has 6 more questions on this lesson, and keeps your place in the course. Painting I is free to start.
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