Week 2: Math + Art

Often times, people may overlook the relationship between math and art. However, as explained by Victoria Vesna, math is closely intertwined with art through the concepts of linear perspective, symmetry, and the golden ratio, to name a few. Brunelleschi, for instance was the first person to formulate linear perspective through the concept of the vanishing point and mathematical concepts. Al Haytham was another influential figure who studied optics which not only changed our understanding of how light and vision is understood but also played an important role in the progression of the fields of math, science, and art. Similarly, Piero Francesca focused on the concept of vision that involved the ideas of proportion and perspective in art, and he later developed vital geometric theorems that connect both math and art closely.

BRUNELLESCHI and the Re-Discovery of Linear Perspective | maItaly
Brunelleschi and linear perspective

Perhaps the most impactful figure and artwork for me was Leonardo Da Vinci's Vitruvian Man because it cohesively embodies the necessity for the involvement of math and science in art. As depicted in the sketch, Da Vinci focused on creating the perfect man with accurate proportions and geometry which further emphasizes the important relationship between math and art. The sketch is also detailed in providing representations of the human anatomy thereby demonstrating the involvement of science in art.

Leonardo Da Vinci's Vitruvian Man

Thus, these influential figures of the past have provided the world with the foundation to understand art, science, and math within the context of each other. This is crucial to the modern perspective because the relationship between these cultures are clearly evident and require more recognition in our rapidly developing world. Despite the apparent connection, society continues to unknowingly disassociate math, science, and art from each other and overlook the relationship. And so, institutions should aim to establish the importance of understanding these subjects and how they're intertwined.

Integrating science, math into arts, humanities courses | iTeachU
The relationship between science, math, and art.


Images:

Olson, Heidi, et al. “Integrating Science, Math into Arts, Humanities Courses.” ITeachU, https://iteachu.uaf.edu/integrating-science-math-into-arts-humanities/. 

Jamal, Madiha. “Mathematics in Art - Vitruvian Man by Leonardo Da Vinci.” Medium, Counter Arts, 13 July 2021, https://medium.com/counterarts/mathematics-in-art-vitruvian-man-by-leonardo-da-vinci-edae2989f162. 

Brunelleschi and the re-discovery of linear perspective. maItaly. 28 February 2018, https://maitaly.wordpress.com/2011/04/28/brunelleschi-and-the-re-discovery-of-linear-perspective/.


Sources:

Vesna, Victoria. Mathematics-pt1-ZeroPerspectiveGoldenMean.mov. YouTube, YouTube, 9 April 2012, www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMmq5B1LKDg&ab_channel=UCOnline.

Olson, Heidi, et al. “Integrating Science, Math into Arts, Humanities Courses.” ITeachU, https://iteachu.uaf.edu/integrating-science-math-into-arts-humanities/. 

Brunelleschi and the re-discovery of linear perspective. maItaly. 28 February 2018, https://maitaly.wordpress.com/2011/04/28/brunelleschi-and-the-re-discovery-of-linear-perspective/.

Jamal, Madiha. “Mathematics in Art - Vitruvian Man by Leonardo Da Vinci.” Medium, Counter Arts, 13 July 2021, https://medium.com/counterarts/mathematics-in-art-vitruvian-man-by-leonardo-da-vinci-edae2989f162. 

“Mathematics.” Piero Della Francesca, 8 April 2019, https://www.pierodellafrancesca.org/mathematics/.

Tbakhi, Abdelghani, and Samir S Amr. “Ibn Al-Haytham: Father of Modern Optics.” Annals of Saudi Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, 2007, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6074172/.  

Comments

  1. AnonymousApril 8, 2022 at 7:53 AM

    Hi Jonathan,

    I want to start off by saying that I was really drawn to the image of the heart because I believe it really highlights the intersection between art, science, and math. I also agree with your statement that institutions should aim to promote this relationship rather than isolating each one. I see the isolation with each discipline especially in the place of education. I believe that standards and academic grades often interfere with true learning, making it hard to see the connection between the disciplines.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Lily RivasApril 8, 2022 at 7:27 PM

    Hi Jonathan,

    Like you I also covered Da Vinci's Vitruvian Man. I agree on your interpretation that it is a great example of the intersection between art, science, and mathematics. Have you personally used mathematics when creating a piece of art? I remember studying Da Vinci's works when I was in high school. It's interesting to see that all of his projects used mathematics. When doing research for this week's assignment I discovered that many of his projects became possible because of his use of 3D models.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Benjamin Roy JrApril 10, 2022 at 10:22 PM

    Hey Jonathan,

    I really enjoyed the image of the heart! Your insight on the topic of intersection between art and science and math was helpful, and gave me a perspective I didn't notice. Also, your ideas on Da Vinci's work helped me further understand it a lot better. The 3D models were a great touch on it as well.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Aj EdwardsApril 11, 2022 at 12:41 AM

    Hey Jonathan,
    I really enjoyed reading and gaining a clearer and different perspective after reading your post. After looking at more of Da Vinci's pieces I totally agree with what you said.

    ReplyDelete

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