3 The mathematical treatises
Piero della Francesca is considered one of the greatest painters of our fifteenth century, but few students remember him as a man of science. The scientific papers of this famous painter, are three works of mathematics: "De corporibus regularibus", the "Trattato d'abaco" and "De prospectiva ping". "De Prospectiva Ping" was the first real organic Treaty drawn up on the science of Renaissance perspective and so its validity is that for a long period of time would remain as an example and a source for later authors of works perspective. It was written around 1475, when its author was about sixty years old and had already given many proofs of his exceptional artistic talent. Divided into three books, this treaty clearly develops in a perspective representation of mathematical problems by providing practical examples not only related to complex geometric and architectural forms, but in any natural form. The first book, plane geometry, educational purposes has proved to be clear and precise drawings. The second, solid geometry, perspective focuses on the representation of solids. The third book objectively determine the prospective image of complex objects. In the two other minor writings, "De corporibus regularibus' and the 'abacus', the painter depth analysis of the bodies regular and almost regular.
PS: Picture taken from http://descrittiva4.blogspot.com/
Humanism mathematician Piero della Francesca Piero della Francesca 2
The period and the ideas of artists contemporary
great things and great thoughts shook the minds of that small group of intellectuals, artists e scienziati, che nel '400 avrebbero riempito con i loro lavori i musei del mondo e dato la gioia nei secoli a venire di rivedere in quello una rinascita dell'Umanità. La riscoperta dei classici greci e latini riusciva a diffondere in quel gruppo la voglia di capire, di scoprire, di realizzare opere straordinarie. Queste potevano nascere solo all'interno di un pensiero scientifico e da una ricerca del bello e della misura, tutta umana come lo era quella di Euclide, Socrate o Fidia. Sia Alberti, che Leonardo, che Piero della Francesca che per primi hanno scritto tesi sulla prospettiva, cercano una risposta nei metodi della geometria. Scriverà Leonardo: ... those who fall in love with practice without scientia are like sailors in ships that enter without a rudder or compass, who never sure where they go. Also the practice must be built upon the good theory, which is driving the prospect and leads and without this nothing is done well. Piero della Francesca and perspective as to speak of true scientia. The rediscovery of classical culture, and especially the scientific one, obviously has a central role in this development. Euclid and his Elements, variously translated and commented upon, will become a model of reference.
Humanism mathematical
The life and works
The Life of Piero della Francesca seems soft edges and not completely uneventful memorable, almost entirely devoted to the craft of painting. We know that Piero was born in the town of Borgo San Sepulchre from a family of craftsmen and merchants probably between 1415 and 1420. The milestone of his youth is his presence in Florence, perhaps even at an age less than twenty years. In the early 40s had to return to Borgo San Piero Sepulchre where in 1442 is documented as a city councilor. At this time his first and most important committee, that the "baptism of Christ." Also from this period are frescoes of the "altarpiece of Mercy" commissioned by the company of Mercy Borgo Sansepolcro. Posterity are painted the "Flagellation" and "Sacred conversation" where most flock to the characteristics of geometric vision Piero della Francesca . The painter died October 12, 1492, the day the discovery of America and the end of Middle Ages, a date that marks a turning point in history.
In the centuries following the harmonious coexistence and ; symbiosis of art, humanities and science, glory and pride of the Renaissance, came gradually less and it is logical to wonder why. Among the various causes the fall of the geocentric system followed by the spectacular success of the new astronomy and Newton's law, a succession of scientific revolutions that have generated suspicions not only in the ecclesiastical hierarchy but also those who felt excluded by the elected, but unfortunately for some scientists modesty was a virtue.
