Anamorphosis before 1583. "The Ambassadors" (c. 1533) by Hans Holbein the Younger is well known for the prominent oblique anamorphic transformation in the painting. In this artwork, a distorted shape lies diagonally across the bottom of the frame. Viewing this from an acute angle transforms it into the plastic image of a human skull. The painting is regarded as a "vanitas" - a meditation on the transience of life - with the skull a symbolic "memento mori". The altered perspective required to see the image reflects the contemporary practice of painting skulls on the reverse of otherwise tranquil paintings. Four centuries
The Fruit at the Bottom of the Bowl () It was adapted as an episode of the television series "Ray Bradbury Theater" (January 23, 1988) as "The Fruit at the Bottom of the Bowl" with Michael Ironside and Robert Vaughn. The Fruit at the Bottom of the Bowl "The Fruit at the Bottom of the Bowl" is a short story by Ray Bradbury. It was first published in "Detective Book Magazine" in November 1948 (cover date: Winter) as "Touch and Go". The story was re-titled and published as "The Fruit at the Bottom of the Bowl" in "EQMM" in January 1953. (Cover image: ) Mr. Acton begins the