The key figure behind this development was Filippo Brunelleschi, an architect and engineer. He is credited with discovering linear perspective, a system that uses converging lines to create the illusion of depth and space on a flat surface.
While Brunelleschi's discoveries were groundbreaking, it was Leon Battista Alberti who formalized and documented the principles of linear perspective in his influential treatise "On Painting" (c. 1435-1436). This book provided a clear and concise explanation of the mathematical rules governing perspective, making it accessible to other artists and contributing significantly to its widespread adoption.
It's important to note that while Brunelleschi and Alberti laid the groundwork for perspective in painting, the development of the system continued throughout the Renaissance. Artists such as Masaccio, Piero della Francesca, and Leonardo da Vinci refined and expanded upon the techniques, resulting in the iconic and realistic paintings that are characteristic of the period.