Why are sculptures placed high on buildings often made larger at the top?

Sculptures placed high on buildings are often made larger at the top to compensate for the effects of perspective and distance, a practice known as optical correction.

When a viewer looks up at a sculpture from a distance, the height and angle of the object can cause it to appear distorted or smaller than intended. By intentionally enlarging the upper portions of the figure, the sculptor ensures that the proportions appear correct and natural to the eye of an observer on the ground. This technique is a form of optical correction, which involves making slight modifications to geometrically correct lines to achieve a desired visual effect.1

This approach is related to the broader concept of anamorphosis, a technique in the visual arts where an image is intentionally distorted so that it appears normal only when viewed from a specific angle or vantage point. While architectural sculpture must often be designed to be intelligible from a limited range of frontal views, these adjustments ensure that the work maintains its intended expressive character and structural clarity despite its elevated position.2345