Exploring the Symbiotic Relationship Between Art and Mathematics in Albrecht Dürer’s Works

Abstract

Albrecht Dürer, one of the most important artists of the northern renaissance, lived and worked from 1471 to 1528 as a painter, printmaker, and theorist. This paper is a systematic analysis of Dürer´s use of the mathematical mode of thinking in all its fullness, both in his theoretical writing and in practical art and thus, it sheds light on the deep symbiotic relationship between art and mathematics. The essay will begin by situating Dürer's mathematical theory in the broader milieu of Renaissance thought about the convergence of art and science, before turning to its foundations in “The Four Books on Measurement” and analyzing his masterworks including Melencolia I, Praying Hands, and studies of human proportion. Dissecting the philosophical foundation of his works, this paper claims that Dürer did not submit art to the strict laws of mathematics, but believed in mathematics as a language with divine unity which could transcend multiple areas with its potential and enhance aesthetic expression. Finally, the paper will consider the widespread influence of Dürer's interdisciplinary practice on later generations and current-day STEAM education to show that his artistic legacy remains vibrant today.