A Mathematical Approach to the Mona Lisa: Sequences 

Understand the patterns generated through mathematical sequences and create their own version of the Mona lisa

Unit Overview

The Basics
Experiences:  Novice
Age Group:  14 - 17
Group Size:  20 - 25
Hours:   4 hrs

Key Words: math, art, fibonacci, patterns, scaling
Cost Per Student: 

​Materials:  Rulers, Calculators, Sculpting clay, Paper, Pencils
Tracing paper, Aluminum foil
Learning Objectives
  • Recognize patterns in a sequence and predict what comes next in the sequence
  • Find a term in a sequence when given its explicit or recursive formula 
  • Use proportions to rescale measurements
Performance Task
  • Students will work in teams of 4 to recreate the Mona Lisa as a hardened clay painting. Each team will be assigned a different mathematical sequence. The largest period will have 7 teams. 
  • Students will be expected to determine the first 9 terms in their sequence (by using the sequence’s formula) and use proportions to calculate and sketch new dimensions for the Mona Lisa painting.
  • Students will present their calculations, process, and finished work when they showcase their hardened clay painting.
Suggested Steps
  1. Entire class explores the Fibonacci Sequence, including its pattern, formula, & real-world examples that model it.
  2. Each group receives the formula for a sequence. The group must use the formula to determine the numbers in the sequence and identify the pattern that is occurring.
  3. Each group will determine the measurements of the squares in the Mona Lisa that model the Fibonacci Sequence. Task 4: Each group will convert these measurements (using proportion formulas) to model their own sequences.
  4. Each group will draw and cut the squares that model their sequences by using the measurements from yesterday. As they draw them, they will also create a 4x4 grid within each square. They will also draw 4x4 grids on each square in the Mona Lisa that models the Fibonacci Sequence. They will use these grids to sketch the proportions of the Mona Lisa within their own squares.
  5. Students will assemble clay onto their finished sketches to create their final pieces
​6.   Presentations

  • 1 lesson (49 min) Introduction to the Fibonacci sequence, determining other sequences through their formulas, finding the measurements of the Mona Lisa and converting these measurements to model other sequences​​
  • 2 lessons (98 min) Using the converted measurements to grid and sketch a new version of the Mona Lisa painting
  • 1 lesson (42 min) Assembling clay paintings
  • 1 lesson (41 min) Presenting final project 
  • 5 lessons Total (approx. 3 hrs and 50 min)