Object Details
- referenced
- Archimedes
- painter
- Johnson, Crockett
- Description
- The construction of regular polygons using straightedge and compass alone is a problem that has intrigued mathematicians from ancient times. Crockett Johnson was particularly interested in the construction of regular seven-sided figures or heptagons, which require not only a compass but a marked straight edge. The mathematician Archimedes reportedly proposed such a construction, which was included in a treatise now lost. Relying heavily on Thomas Heath's Manual of Greek Mathematics, Crockett Johnson prepared this painting.
- Archimedes had reduced the problem of finding a regular hexagon to that of finding two points that divided a line segment into two mean proportionals. He then used a construction somewhat like that of the painting to find a line segment divided as desired. Crockett Johnson's papers include not only photocopies of the relevant portion of Heath, but his own diagrams.
- The painting is #104 in the series. It is in acrylic or oil on masonite., and has purple, yellow, green and blue sections. There is a black wooden frame. The painting is unsigned and undated. Relevant correspondence in the Crockett Johnson papers dates from 1974.
- References: Heath, Thomas L., A Manual of Greek Mathematics (1963 edition), pp. 340–2.
- Crockett Johnson, "A construction for a regular heptagon," Mathematical Gazette, 59 (March 1975): pp. 17–18.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Credit Line
- Ruth Krauss in memory of Crockett Johnson
- ca 1974
- ID Number
- 1979.1093.71
- catalog number
- 1979.1093.71
- accession number
- 1979.1093
- Object Name
- painting
- Physical Description
- masonite (substrate material)
- wood (frame material)
- Measurements
- overall: 83.4 cm x 83 cm x 4.5 cm; 32 13/16 in x 32 11/16 in x 1 3/4 in
- National Museum of American History
- Record ID
- nmah_694695
- GUID (Link to Original Record)
- http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a5-2084-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa
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