Week 2 Blog

 Au Vo 

DESMA 9 

Dr. Vesna

11 April 2024

Week 2 Blog: Mathematics Driving Art

Math and art, at the surface, seem very disconnected and separated from one another. Numbers, drawings, equations, design, they seemingly have nothing to do with each other right? 

But upon a deeper analysis, it can be recognized that art is driven by math. The study of mathematics is one of the fundamental concepts behind the notion of perspective that is used in almost every art piece. Marc Frantz explains that perspective and vanishing points are dependent on mathematical thinking and perspectives (Frantz). Furthermore, in his book “The Golden Ratio: The Story of Phi, the World’s Most Astonishing Number”, Mario Livio conveys how the mathematical concept of the golden ratio has been historically and contemporarily used to create balanced and objective beauty in art (Livio). Martin Kemp, in “The Science of Art” elaborates on this idea, discussing how artists from the Renaissance to contemporary times all use scientific methods within their art. He asserts that observations, measurements, and proportionality are both critical in science and art (Kemp). 

    Leonardo da Vinci’s “Vitruvian Man” and “Mona Lisa” as well as Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel ceiling exemplify how artists have used mathematics in their magnum opus. The “Vitruvian Man” directly applies the theories about the proportions of the human body. This was only able to be created through Da Vinci’s diligent and meticulous studies in anatomy and mathematics. Da Vinci used theories of math to draw the perfect man such as positioning the navel as the center of a circle that outlines the figure’s body.  

Vitruvian Man and Math

    In "Mona Lisa," Da Vinci's techniques such as blending colors and shading proves his understanding of

math and optical science. Most convincingly, Da Vinci utilizes the golden ratio in many elements of the

"Mona Lisa," showing that he intentionally integrated mathematics into art.

Mona Lisa and Math

    Lastly, Michelangelo's work on the Sistine Chapel ceiling is another example of the integration of mathematics into art. In these pieces, Michelangelo utilized Fibonacci's sequence as well as his understanding of geometry to create a compelling artistic piece. The proportions of the figurers were clearly meticulously planned-just like Da Vinci's "Vitruvian Man." The application of mathematics in the planning and execution of his piece enabled Michelangelo to create advanced, technical artwork.

Sistine Chapel and Math

    Through these art pieces, it is clear that artists, like mathematicians or scientists, use math as a way to

express their ideas and explore more complex topics. The juxtaposition of mathematics, art, and science is

an interdisciplinary convergence where each topic enhances the others. Together, math and art can form a

synergy that increases aesthetic appeal as well as technical understanding. Just like in "Flatland," different,

seemingly disconnected things collaborate with each other to form a greater, more compelling whole

(Abbott).

   

Works Cited

Abbott, Edwin Abbott. Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions. Princeton University Press,

1991, ibiblio, http://www.ibiblio.org/eldritch/eaa/FL.HTM, Accessed 11 Apr. 2024

Frantz, Marc. “Vanishing Points When Looking at Art-.” 2000. 

Kemp, Martin. Science of Art: Optical Themes in Western Art from Brunelleschi to Seurat. Yale

U.P., 1992.

“Leonardo and Mathematics.” The Mona Lisa Foundation, 9 Aug. 2018,

monalisa.org/2012/09/12/leonardo-and-mathematics-in-his-paintings/.

Livio, Mario. The Golden Ratio: The Story of Phi, the World’s Most Astonishing Number.

Broadway Books, 2008. 

Tann. “Michelangelo Likely Used Mathematics When Painting the Creation of Adam.” The

Archaeology News Network, 23 Aug. 2022,

archaeonewsnet.com/michelangelo-likely-used-mathematics/. 

“Vitruvian Man.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 29 Mar. 2024,

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitruvian_Man.