Final answer:
The purpose of proportion/ratios in art is to maintain visual harmony while changing the size of elements within the artwork. Proportion ensures that the relative sizes of parts to each other and to the whole are aesthetically pleasing, while scale involves the size of the art in relation to its environment or to other objects within the artwork. Both are used to create rhythm, movement, unity, and variety.
Step-by-step explanation:
The purpose of proportion/ratios in art is to keep the same harmony while changing the size. Proportion in art refers to the relationship of parts of a body or form to one another and to the whole, ensuring a pleasing balance within the artwork. As an element of design, proportion helps achieve a sense of realism or can be intentionally used to create more abstract or exaggerated effects. On the other hand, scale refers to the size of an object in relation to other objects within the artwork, or to the artwork's overall size within its physical surroundings. Artists like Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen manipulate scale to create impactful public art that resonates with audiences through its unexpected size.
Correct proportions and scale can provide a focal point, emphasize parts of the artwork, or help establish the illusion of depth on a two-dimensional surface. For example, artists can adjust the scale of figures within an artwork to make them appear closer or further away, enhancing the feeling of rhythm and movement. By manipulating proportions and scale, artists also play with concepts such as unity and variety, creating a cohesive yet engaging visual experience.