2008 Woodie Awards
Durer brings together art and mathematics
Michael Harvey
Issue date: 9/15/05 Section: A&E
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Known for his humanist ideas, Albrecht Dürer's work depicts religious and mythological scenes, maps and exotic animals.
Dürer, a Northern Renaissance painter and engraver, was born in Nuremberg, Germany in 1471, according to artcyclopedia.com. He quickly became popular throughout Europe for his engravings.
One of his most absorbing works is "Melcancholia I." The engraving portrays unused scientific equipment lying about while a winged intellectual ponders the unknown.
The enthralling part of Dürer's "Melacholia I" may be the magic square that the artist has worked into the engraving. Some interesting facts about the square include:
- The two middle squares of the bottom row make the date the work was done, 1514.
- The sum of all four quadrants as well as the middle four numbers is 34.
- The sum of any four numbers in a straight line or diagonal is 34.
- The sum of all four corners is 34.
- There are a total of 86 different combinations of four numbers that add up to 34.
Though it may have seemed impossible, Dürer bridged a gap between art and mathematics, showing it was possible to provide the world with an aesthetically beautiful and mentally stimulating piece of work.
For an interactive program to find all 86 number combinations in Dürer's square, visit http://www.delphiforfun.org/Programs/durersSquare.htm.
Dürer, a Northern Renaissance painter and engraver, was born in Nuremberg, Germany in 1471, according to artcyclopedia.com. He quickly became popular throughout Europe for his engravings.
One of his most absorbing works is "Melcancholia I." The engraving portrays unused scientific equipment lying about while a winged intellectual ponders the unknown.
The enthralling part of Dürer's "Melacholia I" may be the magic square that the artist has worked into the engraving. Some interesting facts about the square include:
- The two middle squares of the bottom row make the date the work was done, 1514.
- The sum of all four quadrants as well as the middle four numbers is 34.
- The sum of any four numbers in a straight line or diagonal is 34.
- The sum of all four corners is 34.
- There are a total of 86 different combinations of four numbers that add up to 34.
Though it may have seemed impossible, Dürer bridged a gap between art and mathematics, showing it was possible to provide the world with an aesthetically beautiful and mentally stimulating piece of work.
For an interactive program to find all 86 number combinations in Dürer's square, visit http://www.delphiforfun.org/Programs/durersSquare.htm.