Aerial perspective

[1] With varying degrees of accuracy, explanations of the effects of atmospheric perspective were written by polymaths such as Leon Battista Alberti and Leonardo da Vinci.

Art historians note that it is lacking in works by some artists of the same period, such as Raphael,[2] although he adopted the use of sfumato that was introduced by Leonardo at the same time.

Scattering occurs from molecules of the air and also from larger particles in the atmosphere such as water vapour and smoke.

The ability of a person with normal visual acuity to see fine details is determined by contrast sensitivity.

This technique was introduced in painting by Leonardo da Vinci to portray what was observed in nature and evident in his interest in optics.

The technique allows a painter to capture the effect that atmosphere has on the appearance of an object as viewed from a distance.

In this picture, the aerial perspective effect is emphasized by a range of mountains at different distances, photographed in a nearly contre-jour condition.
Aerial perspective as viewed towards a sunset, with the colour shifting toward red as a result of rayleigh scattering
Dai Jin , "Landscape in the Style of Yan Wengui", early Ming Dynasty (1368–1644); a Chinese landscape painting using atmospheric perspective to show recession in space
Frans Koppelaar , Landscape near Bologna , 2001; a painting featuring atmospheric perspective: distant objects appear paler, of lower contrast, and bluer than nearer objects.