Perspective

From BonsaiWIKI

Perspective is a relational idea between objects that is defined by size and position and color. A small object may appear to be farther from the viewer than a larger object of identical shape. Using this visual cue, it is possible to trick the eye into the perception of distance, or using the opposite idea (the large object in the background) compress the distance between near and far objects.

The idealized representation of a bonsai is based on the human perspective. For example, a tapering trunk on a bonsai is considered aesthetically pleasing, but the taper is usually exaggerated beyond what one might expect to see in a scaled version of the tree. This exaggeration satisfies an artistic emphasis.