Seurat as the Creator of Pointillism As discussed on page 1 of Georges Seurat and the Golden Ratio in Art Composition, Seurat "is noted for his innovative use of drawing media and for devising the technique of painting known as pointillism.” Seurat and the Golden Ratio Seurat is also said by one art expert to have "attacked every canvas with the golden ratio." Some have … [Read more...]
Botticelli, The Birth of Venus and the Golden Ratio in Art Composition
"The Birth of Venus", painted by Sandro Botticelli between 1482 and 1485, is one of the most famous pieces of the 15th century Italian art. It is based on Ovid's Metamorphoses, a classic of Latin literature, and portrays Venus, the goddess of love, positioned between the Hora of spring, her handmaid, and Zephyros, god of the wind whose breath creates the blowing wind. "The … [Read more...]
Is the Nautilus shell spiral a golden spiral?
Nautilus shell spirals may have phi proportions, but not as you may have heard. The Nautilus shell if often associated with the golden ratio. There is a fair amount of confusion, misinformation and controversy though over whether the graceful spiral curve of the nautilus shell is based on this golden proportion. Some say yes, but offer no proof at all. Some show examples of … [Read more...]
Facial Analysis and the Marquardt Beauty Mask
A template for human beauty is found in phi, the pentagon and dodecagon Dr. Stephen R. Marquardt is the world's most recognized expert on facial analysis and beauty. He has appeared in many documentaries and been referenced in countless articles, including the Beauty episode of BBC's 2001 documentary "The Face." Dr. Marquardt, also CEO of Marquardt Aesthetic Imaging, has … [Read more...]
Beauty, the perfect face and the Golden Ratio, featuring Florence Colgate
What determines the beauty of a perfect face? We may never answer the question "how many angels can dance on the point of a needle," but how about this one: "How many Divine proportions ratios are there in the face of an angel?" The YouTube video and information in this article may give some insight into the answer, with details on the contest, a recap of explanations of beauty … [Read more...]
Amen Break and the Golden Ratio in Music
It's one of the most popular drum loops in music history. The "Amen break" is one of the most frequently used drum loop samples in music. It's only four bars long. It only lasts about six or seven seconds. Even so, this short sampled loop has been used in well over a thousand songs in a wide variety of music, including hip hop, techno, breakbeat and digital. That's pretty … [Read more...]
Facial Beauty and the "New" Golden Ratio (or is it just 1.618 in disguise?)
University study declares a "new" golden ratio for facial beauty but validates Phi, the Golden Ratio, as the basis for perceptions of beauty. A university study (PDF) by Pamela M. Pallett, Stephen Link and Kang Lee at the University of Toronto and University of California, San Diego announced that a "new" golden ratio had been found in perceptions of beauty in the human … [Read more...]
Phi and the Golden Section in Architecture
Phi (Φ) the Golden Section, has been used by mankind for centuries in architecture. Its use started as perhaps early as with the Egyptians in the design of the pyramids. When the basic phi relationships are used to create a right triangle, it forms the dimensions of the great pyramids of Egypt, with the geometry shown below creating an angle of 51.83 degrees, the cosine of … [Read more...]
Car and Auto Industry Design and the Golden Ratio
The Golden Ratio is no stranger in the design circles of the auto industry. Aston Martin gained some great press on its extensive application of the golden ratio in the design of the Rapide S and DB9, with articles appearing in Forbes and the New York Times. This is hardly the first application of the golden ratio by the auto industry. The logos themselves of a number of … [Read more...]
Perfect Golden Ratio Body Proportions for Men
The Golden Ratio and Perfect Proportions for the Male Body Beauty in the the human form is closely correlated to, if not defined by, the golden ratio. It should be no surprise then that the perfect proportions for the male body would also be related to the Golden Ratio. I recently reviewed a new body-building and exercise program called "Adonis Golden Ratio." I was … [Read more...]
