ABSTRACT
Abstract This paper examines empirical evidence pertammg to perception of pictures by human beings. It is particularly concerned with the evidence that within the species differences are found between culturally disparate groups; and within such groups between subgroups differing in age and between men and women. It is stressed that whether a stimulus can be regarded as a picture depends on both the nature of the stimulus and the nature of the observer; in addition the task which a subject is requested to perform is a crucial determinant in any assessment of pictorial perception. In consequence stimuli which are seen as pictures by some observers may appear to other observers as mere meaningless lines and blotches or may evoke responses which would be appropriate if the stimulus were the depicted object or scene but not a picture; an infinity of intermediate responses is also available. Two characteristics of pictures, their ability to evoke perception of depth where none is present (eidolicity) and their ability to represent objects (epitomy) are described and their relationship to the skill of pictorial perception is briefly discussed.
