Bookkeeping and the Arts

Did you know that many years ago artists and mathematicians worked side by side and mathematics was considered an art form in itself?

Woodcut illustrating the proportions of the human face from Luca Pacioli’s Divina proportione

The visionary genius who came up with this diagram of facial proportions was an Italian man called Luca Pacioli who lived in the 14th century.   Luca was a professor of mathematics, a friar and also best friend and math tutor to one, Leonardo Da Vinci, known for such works as the ‘Mona Lisa’ and ‘The Last Supper’

Leonardo Da Vinci helped create the illustrations for Luca’s book Divine Poportione.

Luca also wrote a book about mathematics and card tricks but is perhaps best known for his comprehensive guide ‘Summa de arithmetica, geomertia, Proportioni et proportionalita,’ a collection of the mathematical workings employed by traders of the time with logical applications and examples. You will be using his methods in your business today as he is generally considered to be the Father of Accounting and Bookkeeping and is famous for taking the conceot of double entry bookkeeping and applying in an organised and efficient manner. Luca is quoted as saying ‘don’t go to bed until your debits equal your credits’, the moto of every good bookkeeper.  

So the next time you see the Mona Lisa gazing down at you, think of Leonardo Da Vinci, think mathematical proportions, think Luca Pacioli, think double entry bookkeeping, and think Bookkeeping by Fox Wood. 

Mona Lisa