Mathematics + Art: A Cultural History - Hardcover

by Lynn Gamwell (Author), Neil Degrasse Tyson (Foreword by)

A cultural history of the links between mathematics and art, from antiquity to today

This is a cultural history of mathematics and art, from antiquity to the present. Mathematicians and artists have long been on a quest to understand the physical world they see before them and the abstract objects they know by thought alone. Taking readers on a tour of the practice of mathematics and the philosophical ideas that drive the discipline, Lynn Gamwell points out the important ways mathematical concepts have been expressed by artists. Sumptuous illustrations of artworks and cogent math diagrams are featured in Gamwell's comprehensive exploration.

Gamwell begins by describing mathematics from antiquity to the Enlightenment, including Greek, Islamic, and Asian mathematics. Then focusing on modern culture, Gamwell traces mathematicians' search for the foundations of their science, such as David Hilbert's conception of mathematics as an arrangement of meaning-free signs, as well as artists' search for the essence of their craft, such as Aleksandr Rodchenko's monochrome paintings. She shows that self-reflection is inherent to the practice of both modern mathematics and art, and that this introspection points to a deep resonance between the two fields: Kurt Gödel posed questions about the nature of mathematics in the language of mathematics and Jasper Johns asked "What is art?" in the vocabulary of art. Throughout, Gamwell describes the personalities and cultural environments of a multitude of mathematicians and artists, from Gottlob Frege and Benoît Mandelbrot to Max Bill and Xu Bing.

Mathematics and Art demonstrates how mathematical ideas are embodied in the visual arts and will enlighten all who are interested in the complex intellectual pursuits, personalities, and cultural settings that connect these vast disciplines.

Back Jacket

"Mathematics and Art describes mankind's search for patterns and the expression of these numbers and forms by artists. This book will enrich the reader's understanding of mathematics and the arts throughout history, and their deep interconnections in today's global culture of high technology and contemporary art."--Tatsuo Miyajima, artist

"Lynn Gamwell is a singular intellect and this is a singular book. Her text weaves together philosophy, art, science, and mathematics in their historical settings. The illustrations are absolutely stunning. Her eye for the juxtaposition of art images, math diagrams, text, and marginal quotations makes turning every page a delight. Each chapter leaves the reader with a sense of beauty, insight, and truth."--Eric Heller, Harvard University

"Often artists understand how to make art but not what to make, and for centuries, artists have looked toward nature for subject matter and inspiration. Leonardo advised, 'Don't copy nature. Follow the ways of nature.' Everything in nature, from plants and atoms to crystals and cosmology, can be predicted through mathematics, and a visual study of the intersection between mathematics and art history has long been needed. This book beautifully satisfies that need."--Dorothea Rockburne, artist

"Handsomely illustrated and containing a wealth of information, this book is a must for anyone interested in the relations between science, nature, mathematics, and art. It is destined to become a classic on par with E. H. Gombrich's landmark work The Sense of Order."--Eli Maor, author of e: The Story of a Number

"This impressive work is a must for anyone interested in the interactions between mathematical ideas and art, and in particular the ways in which, throughout history, mathematical ideas have inspired painters, sculptors, and architects. Few books dealing with this complex topic achieve such a degree of accomplishment and clarity as Gamwell's handsome volume does."--Leo Corry, author of A Brief History of Numbers

"Many contemporary artists feel a deep connection to mathematics and computer science. In this book, Lynn Gamwell traces the origin of this connection and describes why it is particularly strong in artists, like myself, who are from a European culture."--Manfred Mohr, artist

"Having spent many decades putting mathematics into visual form for a new understanding of it in my art, I recommend this thoroughly researched and well-written book for students to immerse themselves in mathematics' intricacies, rich history, precision, and yes, wonders."--Agnes Denes, artist

"In this book, Lynn Gamwell provides a marvelous exploration of the development of symbols and diagrams, and shows how this helps us to better understand the rich connections between art and mathematics."--Dick Termes, internationally acclaimed artist

"This book stands alone in describing how art has been inspired by mathematics. With its lavish illustrations, it has a stunning visual impact and Lynn Gamwell does a masterful job of providing a history of mathematics and art, and how they are intertwined. From ancient works to modern abstract expressionism, the book's many colorful artworks are mesmerizing. This is an important reference for anyone interested in mathematics or art."--Edward Belbruno, Princeton University

"With intelligent writing and abundant illustrations, Lynn Gamwell's book presents a kaleidoscope of art related to math and physics. The global breadth of the work discussed spans from antiquity to modernity and reflects a courageous vision, resulting in a tremendous resource for scientists and artists alike."--Claire and Helaman Ferguson, coauthors of Helaman Ferguson: Mathematics in Stone and Bronze

"Delving into this remarkable and profusely illustrated book is akin to slipping into a seminar on two areas--art and mathematics--that are often thought of as being at odds. Instead, Lynn Gamwell eloquently links the artist and the mathematician, as she traces the cultural history of their interconnected disciplines. You will find yourself coming back to these pages, again and again, to reread part of a chapter or to savor certain passages and images."--Richard Waller, executive director of the University of Richmond Museums

"There is increasing interest in the intersection of mathematics and art, and this wonderful book shows that mathematicians and artists have been inspiring each other for a long time. All who are interested in these two fields--as well as many who believe they are interested in one but not the other--will be enthralled."--Robert Bosch, Oberlin College

"This well-written and interesting book links the philosophical views of different periods to trends in mathematics, philosophy of mathematics, and cutting-edge art. Filled with wonderful illustrations and delightfully insightful and inspiring connections, this book can be enjoyed by scholars, general readers, and all who are interested in mathematics, philosophy, and art history."--Eve Torrence, coauthor of The Student's Introduction to Mathematica

Author Biography

Lynn Gamwell is lecturer in the history of art, science, and mathematics at the School of Visual Arts in New York. She is the author of Exploring the Invisible: Art, Science, and the Spiritual (Princeton).