Week 2 | Math + Art

Throughout history, mathematics has been deeply intertwined with both art and science. This week’s materials helped me see that math isn’t just about solving equations. It is also about patterns, perspective, and the structure behind creativity.

Piero della Francesca’s paintings, such as The Flagellation of Christ, demonstrate his mastery of linear perspective and geometric proportion. In his treatise, De Prospectiva Pingendi, he laid out detailed instructions on how to use mathematical ratios to create realistic space and depth in art. His focus on symmetry and color harmony reveals how math can bring balance and structure to visual storytelling.











"De Prospectiva Pingendi." Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_prospectiva_pingendi. Accessed 9 Apr. 2025.

"Flagellation of Christ (Piero della Francesca)." Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flagellation_of_Christ_%28Piero_della_Francesca%29. Accessed 9 Apr. 2025.

The lecture highlighted how classical structures, like the Parthenon in Athens, use Golden Triangles based on the Golden Ratio (Vesna, “Mathematics, Perspective, Time, Space”). These triangles appear in the spacing between columns, creating visual harmony and balance in the architecture of the Parthenon, built in 440 BC. This shows how mathematics has influenced architectural design for centuries.

Leonardo da Vinci further explored these concepts in his work. In his notebooks, he noted that “all images of all things are transmitted to the eye by pyramid lines,” linking vision to geometric principles (da Vinci, Notebooks). In The Mona Lisa, Da Vinci employed mathematical composition, using the Golden Ratio to achieve harmony and balance in the proportions of the figure, a technique long used by artists to create aesthetically pleasing designs.








Vesna , Victoria. “Mathematics-PT1-ZeroPerspectiveGoldenMean.mov.” YouTube, YouTube, 9 Apr. 2012, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMmq5B1LKDg&t=1s.












“Is This an Early Draft of the ‘Mona Lisa’?" Smithsonian Magazine, Smithsonian Institution, 30 Nov. 2023, https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/is-an-early-draft-of-the-mona-lisa-on-display-in-turin-180983338/.

The Vitruvian Man blends art and science by exploring the ideal human proportions using a square and a circle. This drawing not only reflects the intersection of mathematics and the human form but also illustrates da Vinci’s deep understanding of symmetry, proportion, and geometry. 














Da Vinci , Leonardo. “Vitruvian Man .” Wikipedia , 18 July 2005, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitruvian_Man. Accessed 13 Apr. 2023.

Work Cited 

Da Vinci, Leonardo. The Notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci. Edited by Jean Paul Richter, Dover Publications, 1970.

Da Vinci , Leonardo. “Vitruvian Man .” Wikipedia , 18 July 2005, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitruvian_Man. Accessed 9 Apr. 2025.

"Da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man May Not Have Been a Flawless Picture of Health." Smithsonian Magazine, Smithsonian Institution, 19 Feb. 2014, https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/vitruvian-man-may-have-had-hernia-180949806/.

"De Prospectiva Pingendi." Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_prospectiva_pingendi. Accessed 9 Apr. 2025.

"Flagellation of Christ (Piero della Francesca)." Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flagellation_of_Christ_%28Piero_della_Francesca%29. Accessed 9 Apr. 2025.

“Is This an Early Draft of the ‘Mona Lisa’?" Smithsonian Magazine, Smithsonian Institution, 30 Nov. 2023, https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/is-an-early-draft-of-the-mona-lisa-on-display-in-turin-180983338/.

Vesna , Victoria. “Mathematics-PT1-ZeroPerspectiveGoldenMean.mov.” YouTube, YouTube, 9 Apr. 2012, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMmq5B1LKDg&t=1s.

Comments

  1. Kathryn LundhApril 13, 2025 at 8:53 PM

    Hi Paige! I really enjoyed reading your post this week, especially seeing the different pieces of art you chose to analyze and discuss. In my blog post, I also talked about how different artists utilize mathematical ratios to create depth and realism. I really liked your example of Piero della Francesca’s painting, The Flagellation of Christ, and how he utilized math to create perfect symmetry. I feel like this weeks material made me realize even more how much math is present in our everyday lives but especially in art and I am starting to notice it more and more. Great work!

    ReplyDelete
  2. alexandria r.April 13, 2025 at 9:38 PM

    Hi Paige, thanks for the insights! I really appreciate hearing your perspective. One part of your blog that stood out to me greatly comes from the second sentence, where you shared and emphasized that mathematics is not just about numbers or equations, but about "patterns", "perspective", and "structure": that's such a creative (and refreshing) way to think about it! I feel like that framing makes math feel more approachable, especially as someone who has historically been more or less intimidated by it. Thanks for sharing!

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