Linear perspective and the Renaissance

Initial discovery is attributed to architect Filippo Brunelleschi (1377-1446) 

Leon Battista Alberti ( 1404 - 1472)

 published a book " On Painting", 1435, outlining the rules of linear perspective, introducing the grid system and becoming renowned around Europe as essential reading for painters. 

Masaccio (1401-1428)
First artist to demonstrate full command of the rules of perspective in his work.
He became the father of the new style of Florentine Realism. 

Alhazen's book of optics, available in the italian translation " Deli Aspecti" heavily inspires the work of Lorenzo Ghiberti. 

By the late 15th cent artists such as Leonardo, Michelangelo, Raphael, Botticelli, Donatello, Titian, Hugo Van Der Goes and Jan Van Eyck had taken full control over the laws of perspective.

Sokushinbutsu

 Images courtesy of various sources

Japanese Monks that successfully underwent the process of self mummification. 

A full explanation of the concept and procedures used can be found here.