The Fibonacci Sequence in Art

Elin Su
May 4
2 min read

Edited by: Dru N.

Skillman, NJ

The Great Wave off Kanagawa overlaid with a black Fibonacci spiral, emphasizing the wave's form. — The Fibonacci spiral guiding the *Great Wave off Kanagawa* by Hokusai

The visually pleasing aspects of life, ranging from sunflowers to contemporary artistry, lie in a spiral. Winding its way through nature and art alike, the Fibonacci expression is behind some of the most beautiful designs the world has seen, blurring the boundary between creativity and science.

At its core, the Fibonacci sequence is a recursive pattern in mathematics, with each number being the sum of the two before it: 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13. When these numbers are used in the side lengths of squares, they form what is known as the golden spiral:

Fibonacci spiral with numbered squares 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8 in a grid layout. Black lines form a spiral on a white background. — The Fibonacci spiral is composed from squares

They are found in the ideal, symmetrical versions of natural forms such as pinecones and galaxies, and artists, noticing this pattern, have adopted the sequence into their creations to enhance overall aesthetic appeal. In visual art, artists commonly use the Fibonacci spiral to decide where to place focal points, how to scale proportions, and sometimes structure entire compositions. However, the latter is most frequently found in works of abstract art. The spiral leads the eye through the artwork, creating a natural viewing flow.

For instance, by aligning key features such as the eyes, nose, and mouth in a portrait along the curve of the spiral, artists can evoke a sense of pleasing proportion. In geometric or abstract art, it is used to space shapes and establish harmony and balance accurately.

Abstract artwork of geometric shapes with bold black lines. Blocks in red, yellow, blue, and white create a balanced, vibrant composition. — The Fibonacci expression has been utilized in many of Mondrian's geometric works

Artists from the Renaissance to modern-day illustrators embrace this technique. Leonardo da Vinci, the leader in artistic and scientific genius, is known for using the golden ratio—which he referred to as the Divine Proportion—in his sketches and paintings. The Mona Lisa, one of the most well-known works of art, is believed by many to include several golden ratios, with her right eye aligning directly with the vertical central axis of the canvas.

The Mona Lisa by Da Vinci with a red grid overlay. — Guidelines over *Mona Lisa*

Even today, digital artists and graphic designers still apply Fibonacci grids and their corresponding golden spirals to attract global attention.

The Fibonacci sequence is a powerful and timeless tool that continues to remind us that science and art are closely related. So the next time you draw, try laying down a Fibonacci spiral first. You might be surprised where it leads you.