Golden Ratio In Art: Finding Divine Proportions

The golden ratio, also known as the golden number, golden proportion, or divine proportion, is a ratio of approximately 1.618:1. It is a mathematical ratio commonly found in nature and is considered by some to be a universal rule of beauty. Artists have used the golden ratio for centuries to create aesthetically pleasing compositions in their artwork. The ratio can be used to divide lines and rectangles in a visually pleasing way, and to locate pleasing areas to place subjects and distribute weight in paintings. For example, in Georges Seurat's painting, the golden ratio appears to have been used to define the horizon, place points of interest, and create balance. The golden ratio has also been used in famous artworks like the Mona Lisa, where the curve of the subject's arm and clothing lead the eye to the centre of her face.

The golden ratio in nature

The Golden Ratio, also known as the Golden Number, Golden Proportion, or Divine Proportion, is a ratio between two numbers that is approximately equal to 1.618. It is usually written as the Greek letter phi (Φ). The Golden Ratio is strongly associated with the Fibonacci sequence, a series of numbers where each number is the sum of the two preceding numbers: 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, and so on. The ratio of each number to the previous number in the sequence gradually approaches 1.618, or phi.

The Golden Ratio is believed to be aesthetically pleasing and has been used in art and architecture to create compositions that are harmonious and balanced. It is also found in nature, where it is believed to reflect mathematical beauty. Here are some examples of the Golden Ratio in nature:

Plants

The spiral arrangement of leaves, the growth patterns of tree leaves and pine cone seeds, and the arrangement of petals on flowers often follow the Golden Ratio or Fibonacci sequence. Sunflower seeds spiral in a pattern that allows for efficient distribution and packing, with each seed resting at what is known as the golden angle of approximately 137.507764°. Many flowers have a number of petals that match Fibonacci numbers: lilies often have three petals, buttercups have five, chicory has eight, delphiniums have thirteen, and daisies have twenty-one.

Seashells

Some seashells expand in proportion to the Golden Ratio, forming a pattern known as a golden spiral. Nautilus shells are often cited as examples of the Golden Ratio in nature, but it is important to note that not all shells follow this pattern. Instead, their shells typically form a logarithmic spiral.

Human Body

The Golden Ratio has been observed in various proportions of the human face and body, although these proportions can vary greatly from one individual to another.

The Golden Ratio, or phi, has fascinated mathematicians, artists, and thinkers from ancient times to the present day. While it may not be superior to other proportions in terms of aesthetics or design, the Golden Ratio has been a source of inspiration and a tool to create balanced and harmonious compositions in art, architecture, and nature.

The golden ratio in art history

The golden ratio, also known as the golden number, golden proportion, or the divine proportion, is a ratio between two numbers that equals approximately 1.618. Usually written as the Greek letter phi, it is strongly associated with the Fibonacci sequence, a series of numbers wherein each number is added to the last. The golden ratio has been used by artists to locate aesthetically pleasing areas to place subjects and distribute weight in paintings.

The golden ratio has been used in art for centuries, with some claiming that it was used in ancient Greek architecture and sculptures. The Parthenon, for example, is thought to embody the golden ratio, and it is also believed to appear in classical Greek sculptures of antiquity.

The Italian Renaissance master Michelangelo is thought to have used the golden ratio in his work, as seen in his Sistine Chapel ceiling scene, "The Creation of Adam". Another Italian Renaissance master, Leonardo da Vinci, is also known to have incorporated the golden ratio in his work, most famously in ""The Last Supper" and "The Annunciation". Da Vinci's fascination with the human body and its proportions, which he found to be perfect, is evident in his work, "Vitruvian Man". The golden ratio is also believed to be present in his iconic painting, the "Mona Lisa".

The painter and art theoretician Piet Mondrian often incorporated the golden ratio into his work, particularly in his abstract, geometric compositions. His painting "Composition in Red, Yellow, Blue and Black" (1923) features a series of decreasing squares that echo the pattern of the golden ratio.

In the sixteenth century and beyond, the golden ratio was used extensively in art. Raffaello Sanzio's "Madonna of the Goldfinch" is one such example, where the spiral of the golden ratio follows Madonna's upper left side, the far leg of John the Baptist, and the feet of the Christ Child, leading the eye through the painting and creating a sense of balance.

The golden ratio is not limited to classical art, and it has also been used by modern artists such as Salvador Dali and Georges Seurat. Dali's "The Sacrament of the Last Supper" (1955) incorporates the golden ratio in its proportions, and it also features a large dodecahedron in the background of the scene. Seurat's work, on the other hand, demonstrates the use of the golden ratio to define the horizon, place points of interest, and create balance in active scenes.

The golden ratio in composition

The golden ratio, also known as the golden number, golden proportion, or the divine proportion, is a ratio between two numbers that is approximately equal to 1.618. It is commonly found in nature, and it is believed to be aesthetically pleasing. Artists have used the golden ratio to create harmonious compositions in their work.

The golden ratio can be used to divide lines and rectangles in a visually pleasing way. One technique is to use the "eyes of the rectangle" to position subjects. Another option is to divide the painting into nine unequal sections using the ratio of 1: 0.618: 1 for both the columns and rows. This helps to ensure balance throughout the composition.

The golden ratio has been used by artists for centuries to locate aesthetically pleasing areas to place subjects and distribute weight in their paintings. For example, in Georges Seurat's painting, the golden ratio appears to have been used to define the horizon, place points of interest, and create balance. Similarly, in Raffaello Sanzio's Madonna of the Goldfinch, the principles of the golden ratio can be seen throughout the painting, leading the viewer's eye through the image and creating a sense of balance.

The golden ratio has also been used in Michelangelo's work, such as in "The Creation of Adam," where Adam's body sits along the golden ratio's curve. Leonardo da Vinci is another artist known for his use of the golden ratio, particularly in his famous work, the "Vitruvian Man," which is an ode to the proportions of the human body.

While the golden ratio can be a useful tool for creating harmonious and aesthetically pleasing compositions, it is not a hard-and-fast rule. Many famous paintings do not follow the golden ratio, and it is essential for artists to trust their instincts and not feel confined by strict adherence to any particular rule or guideline.

The golden ratio in canvas cutting

The golden ratio, also known as the golden number, golden proportion, or the divine proportion, is a naturally pleasing ratio between two numbers that equals approximately 1.618. Written as the Greek letter phi (φ), it is closely associated with the Fibonacci sequence, a series of numbers where each number is the sum of the two preceding ones.

The golden ratio has been used in art to determine aesthetically pleasing areas to place subjects and distribute weight in paintings. It is a compositional principle that has been used by artists and architects for centuries. The ratio can be used to divide lines and rectangles in a visually pleasing way, creating harmonious and balanced designs.

When applying the golden ratio to canvas cutting, artists can use it to determine the size and placement of the canvas in relation to the subject matter. For example, Salvador Dali is said to have used a canvas shaped like a golden rectangle for his painting "The Sacrament of the Last Supper". Piet Mondrian is also known to have woven the golden ratio into his work, particularly in his rectangle-square compositions.

Additionally, the golden ratio can be used to position subjects within the canvas. One technique is to use the "eyes of the rectangle" to place the focal points. Another method is to segment the canvas into nine unequal sections using the ratio of 1: 0.618: 1 for both columns and rows, creating a balanced composition.

While the golden ratio can be a useful guide for creating aesthetically pleasing compositions, it is not a hard-and-fast rule. Many famous paintings do not follow the golden ratio, and it is important for artists to trust their instincts and not feel confined by strict adherence to mathematical proportions.

The golden ratio in architecture

The golden ratio, also known as the golden number, golden mean, golden proportion, or the divine proportion, is a ratio of approximately 1:1.618. It is believed to be the root of all beauty in nature, art, and architecture, and is often used to achieve balance and proportion in designs. The golden ratio has been used in architecture to create aesthetically pleasing structures and spaces.

One of the earliest known applications of the golden ratio in architecture is believed to be the Great Pyramid of Giza. According to pyramidologists, the pyramid exhibits the golden ratio, with its proportions closely equalling 1.618. The Parthenon, a temple dedicated to the Greek goddess Athena, is another example of the golden ratio in architecture. It is said that a series of golden rectangles encircle the Parthenon's facade and other parts of the structure, creating a visually pleasing composition.

The golden ratio has also been identified in other ancient structures, such as Stonehenge, where the concentric circles are believed to follow the golden ratio's dimensions. In addition, the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus is said to approximate the golden ratio in the arrangement of its rows. The Great Mosque of Kairouan in Tunisia is another example, where the plan, prayer area, court, and minaret are all designed using the golden ratio.

The golden ratio has also been applied in more recent architectural works. The Notre Dame Cathedral, the Taj Mahal, and the UN Secretariat building are all believed to have been designed following the golden ratio. Le Corbusier, the architect of the UN building, is known for basing much of his architectural system around the golden ratio. He devised the Modulor system, a range of harmonious measurements suited to the human scale and applicable to architecture.

The golden ratio is a powerful tool that architects and designers can use to create balance and proportion in their work. It allows them to systematically achieve precise visual harmony and determine proportions that are naturally pleasing to the eye.

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