What is Proportion in Art — Definition and Examples

What is Proportion in Art and Composition?

First, let’s define proportion in art

Proportion is often confused with other principles of art. To distinguish it from other art principles, let’s take a look at the proportion definition in art.

What Does Proportion Mean in Art vs Scale?

Proportion vs. scale

In art, scale refers to the size of one whole object in relation to another whole object. Artists use large scale art and small scale art to create different effects on a viewer through their perception of size. 

Scale, while often confused with proportion, is different. Human beings have an innate perception of size. Because human beings often use themselves as a baseline of comparison, artists use scale to create different effects through their art. 

Proportion, on the other hand, is the relationship of size between various components within one whole object.

Here's a video that explains these concepts nicely.

A great example of this is Mount Rushmore. While all of the heads within the composition of the sculpture are in standard proportion to each other, the scale of the sculpture is large when compared to the viewer.

Scale and proportion often work together within a work of art. However, it’s important to understand the differences between the two. 

What is Proportion in Art Used For?

Principles of art proportion 

Proportion meaning in art cannot be distinguished by one type. It can be used purposely to create specific effects within a work art. However, it can also be used incorrectly and lead to unintentional effects. Let’s dive into the different types of proportions that exist within art. 

Standard Proportion

Standard proportion refers to proportions that are created correctly when compared to proportions that exist within reality. Standard proportion is important for artists looking to create realistic compositions. Take, for example, the “Vitruvian Man” by Leonard Da Vinci. Da Vinci’s focus on standard proportion within the illustration is based on anatomical proportions from physical reality. 

Altered Proportion

Altered proportion artwork refers to the manipulation of proportion to achieve a specific visual effect. Altered proportion is often used intentionally, typically to create more stylized and expressive compositions.

Hierarchical Proportion

Hierarchical proportion is the intentional use of proportion to depict a hierarchy within a composition. Hierarchical proportion denotes levels of power, status, or importance based on the proportions the artist chooses. The hierarchy created through proportions can be used to depict social classes, tell a story, or document historical facts visually. 

Out of Proportion

Out of proportion entails one or more elements of a subject to be too large or too small in proportion to the rest of the subject. The extent to which something is out of proportion depends on the artist's choices. Sometimes artists create a severely out of proportion subject as a means of stylistic exaggeration.