John Winter
Hero Member
- #1
Thread Owner
I have always been interested in illusions and recently came across some amusing examples of images in a book by Al Seckel (AL SECKEL - About Al) that contain secondary interpretations depending upon the orientation of the image. I was particularly interested with images of people on coins.
Inverted images became popular on coins during the Reformation (BBC - History - An Overview of the Reformation) and these early types of topsy-tuvy portraits usually contained hidden or political statements. The coin below (or is it a token?) is from some time after 1530 and an early example and depicts an image of the then current Pope that, when inverted, turns into the Devil. Presumably, this example is the work of a disgruntled Protestant! Because it may prove difficult to up-end your monitor or perform difficult contortions, I have (metaphorically) turned the image for you.
Inverted images became popular on coins during the Reformation (BBC - History - An Overview of the Reformation) and these early types of topsy-tuvy portraits usually contained hidden or political statements. The coin below (or is it a token?) is from some time after 1530 and an early example and depicts an image of the then current Pope that, when inverted, turns into the Devil. Presumably, this example is the work of a disgruntled Protestant! Because it may prove difficult to up-end your monitor or perform difficult contortions, I have (metaphorically) turned the image for you.
