![]() The word derives from the Latin word tessellātus (square small stones) and the Greek word tessera (four). Tessellation pattern of a street pavement in Zakopane, Poland Dmharvey, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons This hints at the historical use of tessellation ideas that stretch far back into our history when small tiles made of glass, stone, or clay were used to create patterns on public and domestic surfaces. The use of tessellation patterns in temples and homes can be traced back to sometime in 4,000 BC in Sumeria. Modern archeologists have uncovered many beautiful examples of tessellation art created by the Sumerian civilization, where it then spread to many other ancient civilizations such as the Romans, Chinese, Greek, Egyptians, Arabs, Moors, and Persians. Many of these designs have regional characteristics, which make them unique to the people and culture they originated from. Not only was the geometry of tessellation patterns fascinating to the tessellating artists, but intellectuals too began to show a deep interest in the mathematical structure of these tessellating patterns found from the Middle Ages and through the 19th century. The finest examples of tessellation patterns in architecture and art can be found in Islam. Specifically the regions of North Africa, Maghreb, and the Iberian Peninsula during the Middle Ages. Islamic art forbids the representation of living forms, so it was the perfect environment for a style to develop that was based on the application of geometric shapes. Islamic zellige mosaic ceramic tile tessellations in Marrakech, Morocco Ian Alexander, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia CommonsĪside from applying stylistic tessellation ideas to their architecture, they also designed their pottery and textiles with tessellation patterns. ![]() These tessellating artists employed a style called “zellige”, which had its roots in the Islamic belief in universal intelligence, the artists tried to portray the laws that preside over the universe.īefore we can further discuss examples of tessellation art, it is important to mention the intrinsic connection between art, mathematics, and science. ![]() No matter which school of thought we wish to view tessellation through, the common thread throughout is a desire to utilize various techniques to help better understand and express the world around us. It is easy to draw hard distinctions between tessellating artists, mathematicians, and scientists, but in each field of expertise, these lines become blurred when dealing with the subject of geometrically based art forms.Īrtists employ a multitude of mathematically based techniques to create works of art that are pleasing to the eye because they speak directly to our subconscious appreciation of symmetry. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |