Week 2 | Math + Art

In this week's readings and lectures, we learned about the relationship between mathematics and art, and how mathematics can be seen everywhere in nature. We learned about how many very well-known artists relied on mathematics to create their art pieces, for example, Leonardo da Vinci and the Mona Lisa. In the lecture, we learned that without the knowledge of mathematics, we wouldn't have works of art like the Mona Lisa and many other pieces of art. In order to create the Mona Lisa Leonardo da Vinci used a mathematical formula to create the piece of art that is still so important today. 

[Figure 1.] Mona Lisa

Furthermore, in the reading “The Fourth Dimension and Non-Euclidean Geometry in Modern Art: Conclusion” we learned about how artists, mathematicians, and physicists all share an interest in the fourth dimension. While they all want to learn more about the fourth dimension for different reasons, they share an interest in pursuing more knowledge about the fourth dimension. Eager artists learning about the fourth dimension have led to new types of art and artists like space artists and cosmic art. 

   

[Figure 2.] Vitruvian Man

Another reference from this week's lesson that taught me about the relationship between mathematics, art, and science was the Charles Csuri website. From this website, I was able to see how artists use mathematics, and science to create amazing works of art. This website also showed me how important computers and mathematics are to many artists, especially those in the digital arts and animation. 

[Figure 3.] Charles Csuri Artwork 

This week I learned how artists have relied on their knowledge of mathematics for a very long time, and many people fail to understand how important mathematics and science are in art. Many people believe that art and math are complete opposites and that they share no relationship with one another when in reality they have a very important relationship with one another. Many artists are very skilled in math and science and they use these skills to create amazing works of art. While artists may not show formulas or numbers in their art, that doesn't mean that they didn't have to use mathematics to create their artwork. This week's readings and lectures really changed my perspective on the relationship between math, science, and art. Prior to this week's material like many people, I didn't understand that artists use math and science very frequently, and many artists are skilled not only creatively but also mathematically. 

Text Sources

Abbott, E.A. “Flatland.” Flatland, by E. A. Abbott, 1884, 

http://www.ibiblio.org/eldritch/eaa/FL.HTM. 

Charles Csuri, https://www.charlescsuri.com/. 

Henderson, Linda. “The Fourth Dimension and Non-Euclidean Geometry in Modern Art.” MIT 

Press, 20 Oct. 2022, https://mitpress.mit.edu/9780262536554/the-fourth-dimension-and-non-euclidean-geometry-in-modern-art/. 

Parag. “The Relationship between Art and Math.” A Grade Ahead Blog, 21 July 2021, 

https://blog.agradeahead.com/post/the-relationship-between-art-and-math/. 

“Proof in History: The Relationship between Maths and Art.” ORIGO Education | Primary 

School Mathematics Resources and Programs, 14 Dec. 2021, https://www.origoeducation.com.au/blog/proof-in-history-the-intertwined-relationship-between-maths-and-art/. 

Image Sources 

[Figure 1.] “Mona Lisa Researchers Work to Find Woman behind Famous Painting.” NBCNews.com, NBCUniversal News Group, 30 Apr. 2014, https://www.nbcnews.com/science/science-news/mona-lisa-researchers-work-find-woman-behind-famous-painting-n93491. 

[Figure 2.] “Mathematics an Art-Vitruvian Man(Leonardo Da Vinci).” YourMATHsolver, http://yourmathsolver.blogspot.com/2011/11/mathematics-art-vitruvian-manleonardo.html. 

[Figure 3.] Print Charles Csuri Image 1 of . “Charles Csuri, Cosmic Matter, 1989.” Kate Vass Galerie, https://www.katevassgalerie.com/print/p/charles-csuri-cosmic-matter.