Maybe the actual table (or whatever you would call it - I am thinking in hindsight now) itself was curved in real life? Weathered over time or a flaw in the carpentery. I was surprised they never considered this theory.
Absolutely fascinating documentary. Restored my interest in art.
Hi,
That is an interesting observation and theory, however I went back after reading your post here and looked at the exact part of the documentary where he tilted the print so that the camera was viewing it from the side. I noticed, yes, there are these definite curved (yet nearly exactly parallel) edges on the virginal...but then my eye moved to the top of the instrument and down close to the camera one can see this is NOT straight at all. In fact, after a second -pausing- and inspection of this particular set of frames in the documentary, one can very well see that nearly none of the "straight" edges are straight. The crookedness is definitely not to do with aging or handworked material. These are simply flaws. What is interesting is that the concavity Tim pointed out on the virginal only appears in that one section of the instrument and not on its other edges, from what I can tell after a second inspection. So then this particular 'evidence' of lens use has 'shaky' basis...Pun intended. But my, I am in awe, what an incredible experiment! I bow to this Tim guy. This is one of the most amazing examples I've seen documented (if all is truly as the camera shows) of what one can do to make a dream reality if one wishes for it enough. Just,...wow. Forget the Vermeer. I want to see Tim's painting in person! :)
Edit: A third inspection of the paused frame of the print on near axis reveals that in fact the bottom of the instrument and all associated decoration are also 'bent' in the same fashion. Hmmm. The top of the instrument (for the most part) is straight, albeit with minor unavoidable imperfections.
Another thing (evidence to support technological aid theory? perhaps) to analyse is the sheer time it took Tim to do what he did (as far as the actual painting part is concerned). I cannot imagine the time it would take for one to do the same with the same detail back in the 17th century.. Temperature and other conditions like steadiness of lenses and meticulous placement of faces probably was not so easily managed/controlled either. These can truly be called masterpieces, regardless.