To Obtain a Bachelor's Degree in Art History Nicholas Blaisdell [email protected] Advisor: Phil Whitman [email protected]

Independent Study/ Capstone Presentation Proposal: The Golden Ratio- An Artists Perspective

As both an Independent Study and Capstone Presentation, I propose that I may research the mathematical equation Phi and how it relates to Art as a tool for composition. Also known as the golden ratio or the divine proportion, Phi has been investigated quite extensively in mathematic and scientific perspectives, but rarely for the purpose of educating artist’s. With that being said, my goal is to shine a brighter light on the origins, the evolution, and the application of the Golden Ratio in Art history.

1. The Topic The golden ratio has played a massive role in the composition of artwork for the last 800 years. Over the course of those 800 years it has been realized, invented, and reinvented in many different different places, time periods, and career fields. It has possessed many different names such as the Divine Proportion, the Golden Section, and the Golden Rule. My goal, through research, is to both learn and educate others of its use and significance in Art specifically.

In preliminary research I have investigated the Golden Ratio from two perspectives. The first being a believer that the Golden Ratio, whether consciously or subconsciously, exists in Art intentionally and effectively. The second perspective I took was a stance that attempted to debunk the theory that the Golden Ratio guarantees beauty in art or that its use was even intentional.

Research was done by obtaining articles published by professors of different backgrounds at The University of Texas and the International Islamic University of Malaysia. Articles were used from The College Mathematics Journal (1992 and 2005). Information was also sourced from Luca Pacioli and Leonardo Da Vinci’s book titled “De Divina Proportione” (1509)

2. Theoretical Concerns/ Situating the Study in the Field As mentioned earlier, there are often two stances often taken when confronted with the Golden Ratio. The slightly more popular perspective is that the ratio exists in mathematics, science, nature, and art collectively. The ratio depicts beauty and is purposefully used in art in order to create a properly balanced composition that is both intriguing and intellectual. The other perspective is that the Golden Ratio exists in mathematics and science but over the course of time has become misunderstood in Nature and Art. As previously stated, preliminary research on my behalf has been done on behalf of both perspectives.

This particular study will attempt to prove that the ratio exists in Art internationally as an effective tool for artists, while also taking the points made from the opposite perspective into consideration. Other than Da Vinci, the ratio hasn’t really been defended from an artist with an academic background. I wish to accomplish just that. Almost all literature on the topic was written by authors with scientific or mathematical backgrounds. This is something that I found to be a weakness that was prevalent in existing preliminary studies.

3. Relevance of the Study As a student who is soon to receive a Bachelor's Degree in Art History, I place great value on being able to visually digest/break-down the work of any artist, medium, and style. The Golden Ratio is flexible as it can be found in architecture, sculpture, painting, illustrations, and more. This is why the Golden Ratio is so critical to understand for all who have a craving for both creating and observing Art.

4. Preliminary Bibliography Articles: -Meisner, Gary. “History of the Golden Ratio.” The Golden Ratio: Phi, 1.618, 13 May 2012, www.bing.com/cr?IG=2FECB077253D40AD81FF0F5D92D7F34E&CID=021B0C2E1B716D1 F069507BB1ADE6C4D&rd=1&h=8TQDanZQX5d0BJJfcSVizIhMWT_idp43GR9yCmG4KDA &v=1&r=https%3a%2f%2fwww.goldennumber.net%2fauthor%2fphipoint%2f&p=DevEx,5069.

-Markowsky, George. “Misconceptions about the Golden Ratio.” The College Mathematics Journal, vol. 23, no. 1, Jan. 1992, pp. 2–19.

-Mize, Dianna. “A Guide to the Golden Ratio (AKA Golden Section or Golden Mean) for Artists.” Art Tutorials.

-Falbo, Clement. “The Golden Ratio- A Contrary Viewpoint.” The College Mathematics Journal, vol. 36, no. 2, Mar. 2005, pp. 123–134., www.bing.com/cr?IG=7A4F070089044F0681517E95C6E13C8E&CID=28E583A6EB63670133 A98833EACC66A5&rd=1&h=j8GBVtXKjUSJ-t1Rf5jvyQD0mUd64RqWh5mf3hqo8Yk&v=1 &r=http://www.sonoma.edu/math/faculty/falbo/cmj123-134&p=DevEx,5068.1.

-Akhtaruzzaman, Md., and Amir A. Shafie. “Geometrical Substantiation of Phi, the Golden Ratio and the Baroque of Nature, Architecture, Design and Engineering.” International Journal of Arts, vol. 1, no. 1, 2012, pp. 1–22., doi:10.5923/j.arts.20110101.01.

Books: -Pacioli, Luca, and Leonardo Da Vinci. De Divina Proportione = On the Divine Proportion: Facsimile of the Original Printing in Full Color. Leopold Publishing, 2014.