Mathematically, how is a 'magic' square incorporated in Durer's 1514 engraving "Melancholia"?

gmackematix

He has cleverly included the date 1514 in the magic square which, if I remember correctly, isn't just a magic square but a diabolic square in which any square of 4 numbers also adds up to 34, as do the broken diagonals. The painting is loaded with symbolism and here it is: http://200cassetete.free.fr/Melancholia.JPG Aug 16 04, 7:53 PM

peasypod

Yes gmack, a magic square is a square array of rows of integers arranged so that the sum of the integers in each vertical and horizontal row and diagonal is the same. In this case, all numbers each way add up to 34. Aug 17 04, 12:46 AM

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