Brunelleschi’s Mirror, Perspectival Drawing and the Artful Prevention of Crime

Filippo Brunelleschi (1377-1446), a Florentine architect and Renaissance polymath, not only invented mirror that allowed artists draughtspersons to capture linear perspective, he was also the first beneficiary of modern patent. Governments grant patents as time-limited, monopoly exploitation rights over inventions in exchange for full disclosure details invention. On expiry monopoly, anyone can use develop Perspectival drawings have been used centuries both prove disclose inventions. Patents are items personal property but patent infringement is technically theft. However, appropriating trade secrets could lead registration does constitute theft under Crimes Act 1961. This presentation flips symposium theme preventing art crime consider how may prevent certain crimes. The considers Brunelleschi’s role perspective permitting construction plausibly represent three-dimensional objects. These instrumental proving inventiveness purposes, therefore creation rights. They evidence contribute secrets. Furthermore, they be copyright, registered designs or marks.