The Isleworth Mona Lisa is one of the most famous paintings in the world. It was painted by Leonardo da Vinci and is a portrait of Lisa Gherardini, the wife of Francesco del Giocondo. The painting is often cited as an example of perfect beauty. But what many people don’t know is that the Golden Ratio was used to create its iconic composition. This article will discuss five ways the Golden Ratio was used in the Isleworth Mona Lisa.
What is the Isleworth Mona Lisa?
The Isleworth Mona Lisa is a painting of Lisa Gherardini, the wife of Francesco del Giocondo. It got its name from Isleworth, London, where Hugh Blaker had taken it to his studio after rediscovering it. It is thought to be an inspiration for Leonardo da Vinci’s second Mona Lisa, which hangs in the Louvre Museum in Paris. A group of private collectors currently owns the Isleworth Mona Lisa.
What Is The Fibonacci Sequence?
The Fibonacci sequence is a series of numbers where each number is the sum of the previous two. The sequence goes like this: 0, 1, 2, 3, and so on. The Golden Ratio equals approximately 21% of any given number in the sequence. For example, if we take 21% of 13 (the Fibonacci number after 12), we get approximately 0.68 or 68%.
The Golden Ratio
The Golden Ratio is often used in art and design because it creates compositions that are pleasing to the eye. The ratio can be found throughout nature. It’s in the spirals of seashells, the arrangement of a flower’s petals, and even in our DNA. But it wasn’t until recently that we realized that Leonardo da Vinci used this same Fibonacci sequence to create the Mona Lisa’s composition.
Mathematics And Art
The Greek mathematician Euclid first discovered the Golden Ratio around 300 BC. He described it as “a mean proportional between two excessive lines.” But it wasn’t until Leonardo da Vinci that we saw how this mathematical equation could be applied to create beautiful art.
In the Mona Lisa, Da Vinci used the Golden Ratio to determine the subject’s eyes, nose, and mouth positions. He also used it to create the perfect proportions of the face.
It’s no surprise that the Fibonacci sequence would be used in art. After all, both are based on patterns and order. But surprising is how often the Golden Ratio appears in great works of art like the Mona Lisa and the Parthenon.
How Did Da Vinci Know About The Golden Ratio?
There are a few theories on how Leonardo da Vinci discovered the Golden Ratio. One theory suggests that he may have learned about it from his friend Luca Pacioli. Pacioli was a mathematician and the author of “De Divina proportioned,” a book about the Fibonacci sequence and the Golden Ratio.
Another theory suggests that Da Vinci discovered the Golden Ratio by looking at nature. This is supported by the fact that he was an avid observer of both the human body and the natural world.
How Was It Used With The Isleworth Mona Lisa?
Here are five ways the Golden Ratio was used in the Isleworth Mona Lisa:
- The width of the painting is 21% wider than its height.
- The distance between the subject’s eyes and mouth is 21% of the total length of the face.
- The subject’s head is 21% of the size of the entire painting.
- The width of the subject’s neck is 21% of the width of the torso.
- The distance between the subject’s elbow and hand is 21% of the total length of the arm.
Other Da Vinci Work Using The Golden Ratio
The Vitruvian Man
This is another iconic Da Vinci painting that uses the Golden Ratio. The drawing is based on the proportions of the human body. It’s a perfect example of how Da Vinci applied the Fibonacci sequence to create art. The Vitruvian Man is also a popular image used in branding and advertising.
The Last Supper
The Last Supper is also believed to use the Golden Ratio. Da Vinci used a “divine proportion” technique in this painting to create the composition. This technique is based on the Fibonacci sequence and the Golden Ratio. In this painting, Da Vinci used the Fibonacci sequence to determine the positions of the subjects around the table. He also used it to create the perfect proportions of their faces and bodies.
Final Thoughts
The Golden Ratio is a mathematical equation that creates compositions that are pleasing to the eye. It’s no surprise that Leonardo da Vinci used this technique in his paintings, as it’s a perfect way to create beautiful art. The Fibonacci sequence and the Golden Ratio can be found throughout nature and are also present in some of Da Vinci’s most significant works of art.
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