Reyes G.E. A mathematical analysis of Masaccio’s Trinity. Preliminary version (February 2004). Published in Categories and Types in Logic, Language, and Physics. Editors C. Casadio et al. Springer LNCS 8222. 2014.
The aim of this note is to study several questions of a mathematical nature suggested by this fresco: (1) How accurate is the use of perspective? (2) What are the dimensions of the chapel? (3) What are the dimensions of the coffers of the vaulted ceiling of the chapel? (4) Where is the point of view situated with respect to the fresco? (5) Where are the different characters situated inside the chapel? (6) What are the “real” heights of the characters portrayed? Questions (1)-(4) admit answers that may be computed starting from the data of the fresco, by using some rules of perspective and simple mathematical facts. This is not true for the others. Nevertheless, we will show that under some reasonable hypotheses estimates may be made. A pictorial reproduction of the Trinity may be unloaded by clicking the next document in Varia: “Masaccio Trinity in the WEB”.
Gonzalo E. Reyes - Marie La Palme Reyes 