Durer's Polyhedra

The great German artist Albrecht Dürer (1471-1528) created a woodcut entitled "Melancholia I" which pictures an angel holding a compass and deep in thought. Over his wings is a magic square --- the bottom center numbers bearing the date of the work, 15 14.

Also in the print is a large solid that is not of a familiar shape. We can see four faces, but what is hidden from us? This has been much debated by scholars. Perhaps you would like to try to identify it yourself.

To get you started here are several references:

Federico, P. J., "The melancholy octahedon," Mathematics Magazine, 45(1972), 30-36.
Lynch, Terence, "The geometric body in Dürer's engraving Melencolia I," Journal of the Warburg and Courtauld Institutes, 45(1982), 226-232.
Panofsky, Erwin, Albrecht Dürer, 1943. An excellent source by one of the true experts on Dürer.
Wangart, Adolf, "Der geometrische Körper in Dürers 'Melencholia'," Humanismus und Technik, 20(1976), 16-27.

You will find many more references in the Art History literature, which can be searched on line. Ask your librarian for help.

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If you have comments, send email to V. Frederick Rickey at fred-rickey@usma.edu .