Field of view, or FOV, is the angular extent of a scene visible through a camera, display or optical system at one time.
Think of it as a window
A virtual artwork can be larger than the part a display shows at once. The viewer may need to turn their head or move the device to reveal the rest. In AR glasses, the area available for digital imagery may be smaller than the person's overall view of the real room.
Compare like with like
A specification may describe horizontal, vertical or diagonal FOV. These are different measurements. Camera capture FOV and the display's apparent FOV also answer different questions, so one headline number cannot describe the whole experience.
Why it matters for art
A narrow visible area can crop a large animation or make labels harder to discover. Essential instructions should remain easy to find, and an important detail should not depend on the visitor knowing to look outside the current view.
A practical exhibition check
Try the artwork at its intended viewing distance on the actual device. Test whether the visitor can see the physical reference and the key digital content comfortably. Moving closer may reveal detail while making the complete artwork harder to fit into view.
Related concepts and further reading
Choosing XR glasses for AR art