What is the Golden Ratio — Composition Technique Explained

What is the Golden Ratio in Math and Art?

First, let’s define Golden Ratio

Before taking a look at the history of the Golden Ratio and examples of it in nature and design, we must first take a look at the Golden Ratio definition to properly understand what it is mathematically. 

Divine Proportion in Art

Golden Ratio History

The Golden Ratio has technically existed in nature and mathematics for all of time. But when it was discovered and by whom specifically is unknown. Its discovery can be traced back to multiple instances as far back as Ancient Greece. Since then, it has been discovered and rediscovered in principles of mathematics, architecture, nature, and art 

Thus is the reason for its many names such as the “Extreme Ratio” used by Greek mathematician Euclid of Alexandria in his mathematical textbook Elements (300 BC). In the 15th century, Renaissance artist Leonardo Da Vinci illustrated what Italian mathematician Luca Pacioli further referred to as the golden proportion in his book De Divina Proportione.  

Some say the oldest use of the Divine Proportion can be found in the construction of the Great Pyramids. Phidias (500 BC – 432 BC), a sculptor who was one of the designers of the Parthenon, is said to have used the Divine Ratio within the Doric-style temple. 

A term often correlated with the ratio is the Fibonacci Sequence. The Fibonacci Sequence, named after Leonardo Fibonacci, was demonstrated in his mathematical text book Liber Abaci. In that text, Fibonacci introduced the concepts of the Arabic decimal system, a much more efficient mathematical system over the commonly used Roman numerals.

The Fibonacci sequence was a sequence of numbers that trended toward the Golden Ratio 1.618… Check out this video produced by PBS to learn more on how the Fibonacci sequence was demonstrated and its relevance to the Divine Ratio. 

While the Fibonacci sequence undoubtedly had relevance to the evolution in understanding of the Golden Ratio, it was not until the 1600s that mathematicians such as Johannes Kepler and others made the connection. 

What is the Golden Ratio in Nature and Design?

Golden Ratio examples

Now that we’ve laid down the history of the Divine Proportion and its definition, what is the ratio used for in design? Many describe the ratio as the most pleasing proportions to the human eye. Thus, it is incorporated into much of man-made design such as architecture and art, but it can also be found in the natural world.

To understand this, let’s look at a few examples.

Nature

One of the most famous examples of the Divine Proportion is in spirals found in nature. While some are exact examples of the Golden Ratio, but rather approximations, there are occurrences of the exact Divine Proportion in spirals found in pinecones, pineapples, roses, succulents, and more. 

Architecture

Since we already talked about the Parthenon, what is the Golden Ratio used for in more modern architectural design? Let’s take a look.

The design of the The United Nations Secretariat Building in New York City was designed with the ratio in mind. Starting with the bottom larger sections, you can find the ratio. Looking more closely at the shape of the windows, you can also find the ratio. 

Art

Finally, the Divine Proportion can be found in artworks from the Renaissance to modern art. You may have seen the ratio in modern art examples. However, many are approximations rather than precise uses of the Golden Ratio as exactly 1.618… 

Perhaps the most exact and intentional use of it among prominent artists is by Salvador Dalí in his 1955 painting The Sacrament of the Last Supper. Dalí used the Divine Proportion in two ways within the painting.

First, the dimensions of the painting itself are a Golden Ratio. Furthermore, the dodecahedron within the background of the painting measured from its edges correspond with the Golden Ratio.