Final answer:
The term 'flat' accurately describes a piece of canvas stretched over a wooden frame to imitate vertical walls, frequently used in theater to create space. This form of art illustrates the effective use of the picture plane to present a convincing illusion of space, a concept explored in various art movements, including the Italian Renaissance.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement is true: A flat is the term used to describe a piece of canvas that has been stretched over a wooden frame and then painted to imitate vertical walls, generally used to define spaces in theater productions. This technique is an example of creating a convincing illusion of space, where the artwork on the flat panel can portray depth on a two-dimensional surface.
Throughout art history, different cultures and movements have approached the representation of space in various ways. For instance, the Italian Renaissance was a period that demonstrated great interest in portraying convincing illusions of three-dimensional space within two-dimensional media, using tools such as linear perspective. In contrast, other cultures, especially Eastern traditions, have traditionally used a flatter pictorial space, utilizing techniques such as overlapped shapes or size differences to suggest depth.
Panel paintings and paintings on canvas are both forms of artwork where the artists manipulate the concept of picture plane—the conceptual surface of a work of art. The picture plane can create an illusion of deep, three-dimensional space or emphasize the two-dimensional flatness of the canvas. The application of gesso and artist's mastery in painting techniques can then add texture, depth, and realism to the painted surface.