The Golden Ratio

Research the golden mean (the golden ratio) and its application to artistic composition. Also look at the rule of thirds.

The golden ratio is a formula used by artists to produce a painting that is aesthetically pleasing due to a mathematical formula, or grid to dictate structure of the painting. The ratio is also found in nature ( as in the nautilus shell) and architecture, design and even music. The Greeks first studied the golden ratio because it frequently occures in geometry, using it as early as 490AD in the Parthenon statues.

Th mathematical formula is 1 to 1.618 or more precisely 1:1.6180339887, the Greek letter φ (phi). (which is fairly meaningless to me) – however, shown in graph form is regarded to give pleasing and harmonious proportions, and is surprisingly slightly asymmetrical. It is essentially a large rectangle with a smaller square and another rectangle – but the sequence is repeated infinitely and perfectly within each section. The most interesting points in a painting are often shown within the smaller sections and follow the lines of the grid, dividing up the painting to distinct areas.

Mondrian used the golden mean extensively in his grid like paintings.