Week 2 - Math + Art

WEEK 2 - MATH + ART

M.C. Escher's "Relativity". The use of
linear perspective and multiple vanishing
points creates a realistic impossible image.

The intersection between science and art evidently appears when considering mathematics. In fact, the history of mathematics often coincides with the history of art. Concepts like perspective, proportion and symmetry root themselves in math and science, but were originally explored for artistic motivations.

Leonardo Da Vinci's "Vitruvian Man"
The proportion and symmetry of a human
body is exemplified by this drawing.

Consider the famous Leonardo da Vinci – he is often remembered for his incredible work as an artist, yet he considered himself more a scientist than an artist. His work heavily utilized the concepts listed above. Annunciation demonstrates Leonardo’s understanding of linear perspective and vanishing points, allowing him to simulate depth and proportions on a two-dimensional canvas. Moreover, Vitruvian Man, was Leonardo’s attempt to solve the geometric problem of “squaring a circle”. In doing so, he explores ideas of how the human body is in proportion and symmetry. Finally, the illustrious Mona Lisa  inherently contains the golden ratio as seen on the below.

Leonardo Da Vinci's "Mono Lisa"
Overlayed are rectangles that show
the implicit use of the golden ratio.

The magnificence of Leonardo’s work heavily derives from his ability to use the language of mathematics to create his art. One could even go as far to say that the underlying mathematics gives his art its beauty. In my opinion, the juxtaposition of mathematics, art and science lays exactly with what Leonardo was attempting to realize. In attempting to replicate the beauties of reality, he uses mathematics, the language that describes the nature of reality, to reproduce these fascinations.  After all, “The merit of painting lies in the exactness of reproduction. Painting is a science and all sciences are based on mathematics.” – Leonardo da Vinci.  

References

- Ancell, Matt. “Leonardo’s Annunciation in Perspective.” Leonardo Da Vinci: Between Art and Science, Mar. 2014, http://faculty.virginia.edu/Fiorani/NEH-Institute/essays/ancell.
- “Mathematics.” Www.Leonardo-Da-Vinci.Net, http://www.leonardo-da-vinci.net/mathematics/. Accessed 14 Apr. 2019.
- Mathnasium. “Mathematics In The Art Of Leonardo Da Vinci.” Mathnasium, 16 Apr. 2018, http://blog.mathnasium.com/mathematics-in-the-art-of-leonardo-da-vinci.
-Natasha, Glydon. “The Mathematics of Art.” Math Central, http://mathcentral.uregina.ca/beyond/articles/Art/art1.html. Accessed 14 Apr. 2019.
- Vesna, Victoria. Mathematics-Pt1-ZeroPerspectiveGoldenMean.Mov. 2012. YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1728&v=mMmq5B1LKDg.