Study Reveals Mathematical Patterns in Tree Depictions Across Art History

Researchers identify fractal-like scaling in tree branches depicted in works by da Vinci, Mondrian, and others, linking art and natural geometry.

Scientists analyzed the branching patterns of trees depicted in artwork and found mathematical similarities to natural trees' fractal geometry.
The study, published in PNAS Nexus, highlights how artists like Leonardo da Vinci and Piet Mondrian captured realistic scaling in branch thickness using a parameter known as α.
Values of α in tree depictions across diverse artworks, including Islamic carvings and Japanese paintings, align with the range found in natural trees, from 1.5 to 2.8.
Even abstract paintings, such as Mondrian's 'Gray Tree,' are recognizable as trees when realistic scaling is maintained, while deviations result in less identifiable forms.
The findings underscore how art and science offer complementary insights into the natural world, revealing shared principles of structure and aesthetics.