Golden Section Art

Referencing art architecture philosophy nature mathematics geometry and music this beautifully illustrative book is a useful handbook on the golden section that is both interesting for the more experienced and knowledgeable mathematician and to the artists with just a passing interest in the golden section philosophy and formula.

Golden section art. The golden ratio in art and architecture the appearance of this ratio in music in patterns of human behavior even in the proportion of the human body all point to its universality as a principle of good structure and design. Just as the golden section is found in the design and beauty of nature it can also be used to achieve beauty balance and harmony in art and design. The golden section brings together principles of aesthetics and mathematics to explain why symmetrical compositions are pleasing to the eye.

Golden section proportions are also present in greek art writing and architecture and in the spiral shape of shells. A special golden curve in human upper limbs length proportion. The phi grid is similar to the rule of thirds layout but the parallel lines are closer to the center.

Applying the golden ratio to art means placing the main subjects along intersecting lines as you d do when using the rule of thirds. Whether we ve been genetically programmed to like them or we find them pleasing due to all the examples around us the golden section has clearly been a part of nature and human creation throughout history. It s a tool not a rule for composition but learning how to use it can be a great art 101 lesson on laying out a painting on a canvas.

This results in nine boxes that are not uniform in size. Here is a rough timeline of the golden ratio s history according to author priya hemenway. The golden section or ratio is is a ratio or proportion defined by the number phi 1 618033988749895 it can be derived with a number of geometric constructions each of which divides a line segment at the unique point where.

Many patterns found in nature like the organic growth. Phidias 490 430 bc made the parthenon statues that seem to embody the golden ratio. The golden ratio approximately equal to 1 618 sometimes known as the golden section or golden number has been fascinating philosophers scientists and artists for more than two millennia 1 4.