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Week 2 | Math + Art

This week, Professor Vesna provided insights on how mathematics and science has influenced art. I found the Vanishing Point, developed by Brunellesci, particularly interesting since it relates mathematics to the real world. As a Math major, I have been taught that any pair of parallel lines never intersect and any pair of nonparallel lines always intersect. The Vanishing Point Theorem provides a unique perspective to the previous statement by applying it to the real world. Essentially, it explains that a pair (or more) of parallel lines in the real world are not necessarily parallel in the picture plane, and for that reason, they share a point of intersection in the picture plane called a vanishing point. This picture provides an example of a vanishing point:


I also learned that the golden ratio appears in many forms of art, including paintings, sculptures, as well as architecture. One of the most world renown polymaths, Leonardo Da Vinci, used the golden ratio extensively in his work. While it is not apparent at first glance, the golden ratio appears in “The Last Supper” as well as “The Annunciation” which are two of Da Vinci’s most popular pieces. The proportions of the golden ratio in these works can be seen here:




Many artists used mathematics as well as science in their work in order to improve the quality of their art. Specifically, many Renaissance artists were influenced by Ibn al-Haytham’s Book of Optics, which ultimately transformed the way vision, light, and color were perceived.
Overall, mathematics has been crucial to the evolution of art throughout the course of history.


Works Cited
“Book of Optics.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 3 Apr. 2019, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Optics.
Frantz, Marc. “Lesson 3: Vanishing Points and Looking at Art.” Vanishing Points, 2000, www.cs.ucf.edu/courses/cap6938-02/refs/VanishingPoints.pdf.
“Leonardo Da Vinci.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 8 Apr. 2019, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonardo_da_Vinci.
Meisner, Gary. “Golden Ratio in Art Composition and Design.” The Golden Ratio: Phi, 1.618, PhiPoint Solutions, LLC, 24 Sept. 2016, www.goldennumber.net/art-composition-design/.
Vesna, Victoria. “Mathematics-pt1-ZeroPerspectiveGoldenMean.mov.” YouTube, UC Online, 9 Apr. 2012, www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMmq5B1LKDg.

 

Comments

  1. Mathew TsolakyanApril 14, 2019 at 10:02 PM

    I find your points about perspective and golden ratio point very interesting. For example, before this week, I was not aware of the Vanishing Point Theorem and how that connects with art, but as you mentioned in your blog, this theorem provides an example of the deep connection between math and art. I also find your points about the golden ratio very interesting, as I was also not aware of this specific ratio and how it was used in very famous artworks such as Leonardo Da Vinci's "The Last Supper."

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  2. Han Kyeol KimApril 14, 2019 at 11:58 PM

    All those theorems that I learned in Math Class were just annoying to me. We were just forced to memorize them and were tested. However, discovering connections between those and artistic concepts really opened my eyes in a new perspective of looking at art!. Your insights on golden ratio point was very interesting that it resonated with my own finding, too! Thank you for awesome post!

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  3. Harriet FerrerApril 16, 2019 at 11:30 PM

    Hi, I liked how you connected the week's topics with something relevant to you. It's awesome that you are a math major and you are learning about different applications of math. I'm sure your classes don't focus on math's influence on art so it's cool that you are getting a different perspective. I also find it cool how math can explain and enhance art.

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