Christopher Bartlett
Professor Emeritus of Art
Towson University
Baltimore, USA
Beyond the Golden ratio (Phi), a Mercury ratio (Chi)...?
Bartlett's meta-golden Chi or Mercury ratio is a unique mathematical constant related to the golden ratio and other metallic means.
One of the reasons this meta-golden Mercury ratio is a pleasing number, with remarkable geometric properties similar to the golden ratio, is that a rectangle of width 1 and a length of chi can be divided into a rectangle proportional to the original rectangle and a golden ratio rectangle. Recall the golden rectangle divides into a square and a golden rectangle.
The precise ratio for the Mercury or Chi rectangle is 1+√(4phi+5)/(2phi) or approximately 1.355…
Bartlett's meta-golden Chi or Mercury ratio is a unique mathematical constant related to the golden ratio and other metallic means.
One of the reasons this meta-golden Mercury ratio is a pleasing number, with remarkable geometric properties similar to the golden ratio, is that a rectangle of width 1 and a length of chi can be divided into a rectangle proportional to the original rectangle and a golden ratio rectangle. Recall the golden rectangle divides into a square and a golden rectangle.
The precise ratio for the Mercury or Chi rectangle is 1+√(4phi+5)/(2phi) or approximately 1.355…
Cornish Coast
54 x 40 cm
acrylic on canvas
2015
This painting is a practical application of the meta-golden Mercury or Chi ratio rectangle. Its composition is constructed using an armature that yields golden ratio divisions, consequent squares and χ-ratio rectangles.
The more compact aspect ratio of this rectangle presents an appealing contemporary shape for art and design with the same generative properties as the golden rectangle itself.
The more compact aspect ratio of this rectangle presents an appealing contemporary shape for art and design with the same generative properties as the golden rectangle itself.