Math + Art

The intersection of MATHEMATICS, art, and science has been a fertile ground for creativity and innovation. The article "The Fourth Dimension and Non-Euclidean Geometry in Modern Art: Conclusion" by Linda Dalrymple Henderson shows how the study of non-Euclidean geometry and the concept of the fourth dimension influenced modern art and transformed our understanding of space and time. One insight gained from this week's exploration is the importance of the interconnection of these different fields. As Henderson explains, "the avant-garde movements of the early 20th century drew inspiration from a wide range of sources, including philosophy, literature, and science" (Henderson 206). This cross-pollination of ideas led to new forms of artistic expression that challenged traditional modes of representation.

 
            Ernst Ludwig Kirchner's Street, Berlin (1913) captures a claustrophobic                        Matisse, “Portrait of Madame Matisse. (The Green Line),” 1905 (Photo:
            sense of isolation and alienation in an apparently 'lively' milieu.                                           Statens Museum for Kunst via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

As we discussed in lecture, Alberti's treatise "On Painting," proved that knowledge of math, such as geometry and proportion, is needed to create realistic-looking images (Vesna). The treatise shows how math played a significant role in art and science during the Renaissance and also helped to pave the way for later developments in fields such as optics, physics, and mathematics.

Moreover, Frantz's Lesson 3 of "Vanishing Points and Looking at Art" discusses how mathematics and perspective have influenced art. To prove this claim, he described how artists use vanishing points and techniques like one-point, two-point, and three-point perspectives to create the illusion of depth and space in their art (Frantz 3). This not only demonstrates the importance of math in producing realistic-looking art, but also emphasizes the importance of understanding the effects of perspective on the perception of the artwork.

Ben the Art Teacher: The Renaissance and Linear Perspective https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjDyKBtXTMs

The intersection of math and art has also been a catalyst for scientific discoveries. As Henderson notes, "the development of non-Euclidean geometry challenged the long-held assumption that space was flat and Euclidean, and helped to pave the way for Einstein's theory of relativity." This shows how advances in one field can lead to breakthroughs in another.

Getting a Grip on Gravity. Nicole Rager Fuller. https://www.sciencenews.org/article/einsteins-genius-changed-sciences-perception-gravity

Overall, the intersection of math, art, and science has shown that creativity and innovation can come from unexpected sources. As Henderson states, "artists and scientists alike must have the courage to embrace new ideas and challenge conventional thinking in order to make groundbreaking discoveries" (Henderson 208). Overall, this week I have learned that the juxtaposition of mathematics, art, and science shows how different fields of knowledge can be combined to produce new forms of understanding and creative expression. By examining the relationships between these domains, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the interconnectedness of human knowledge and the power of interdisciplinary collaboration to advance our understanding of the world around us.

References 

Alberti, L. B. (2003). On Painting. (J. R. Spencer, Trans.). Penguin Classics.

Ben the Art Teacher. (2017, November 15). The Renaissance and Linear Perspective [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjDyKBtXTMs

Frantz, S. (n.d.). Vanishing Points and Looking at Art: Lesson 3 [PDF file]. Retrieved from https://www.academia.edu/10655003/Vanishing_Points_and_Looking_at_Art_Lesson_3

Henderson, L. D. (1986). The fourth dimension and non-Euclidean geometry in modern art, 206-208.

Vesna, Victoria. “Two Cultures Pt.II” YouTube, YouTube, 9 Apr. 2012, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMmq5B1LKDg


Image Sources

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner's Street, Berlin (1913) captures a claustrophobic sense of isolation and alienation in an apparently 'lively' milieu. source provided for this reference.

Fuller, N. R. (2015, September 30). Getting a Grip on Gravity. Science News. https://www.sciencenews.org/article/einsteins-genius-changed-sciences-perception-gravity

Matisse, H. (1905). Portrait of Madame Matisse. (The Green Line) [Painting]. Statens Museum for Kunst. Wikimedia Commons. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Henri_Matisse_-_Portrait_of_Madame_Matisse._The_Green_Line_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg

Comments

  1. Hi Madison, I agree that the intersection of different fields– including mathematics, art, and science– is crucial in developing new forms of expression. As you have mentioned, mathematical principles such as geometry and proportion have been used by many artists, helping them to create more realistic paintings. I also enjoyed the video you included in your post because the clip captured how math adds perspective and definition to art. The video definitely provided a nice visual representation that built on your explanation.

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