'WHAT TO READ IN 2025' FINANCIAL TIMES PUBLISHING

Many artists lack knowledge of the mathematics underlying their art, while others consciously use it as a source of inspiration. Our instinctive observations may suggest that these two subjects are incompatible, but what if we are mistaken?

Marcus du Sautoy, distinguished mathematician and Simon i Professor for the Public Understanding of Science at the University of Oxford, explores art, music, design, and literature to uncover the fundamental mathematical structures that underpin both human creativity and the natural world.

Blueprints takes us from the oldest standing stones to Le Corbusier's modernist architecture, from Bach's circular compositions to the disruptive sounds of Radiohead, and from Shakespeare's hidden numerical references to Dada artists who embraced randomness. Rather than finding opposing forces, we identify a complementary relationship that extends across a broad historical and geographical landscape.

Whether we are seeking meaning in an abstract painting or decoding poetry, patterns are everywhere: prime numbers, symmetry, fractals, and the most peculiar worlds of Hamiltonian circles and hyperbolic geometry. Nature also exploits these structures to achieve the wonders of our universe.

In this innovative and pleasantly daring exploration of creativity, Marcus explains how we create art, why a creative mindset is vital for discovering new mathematics, and how a fundamental connection to the natural world deeply intertwines these two subjects.

‘Blueprints is an exceptional book that shows us how mathematics and art are linked through structures. Du Sautoy demonstrates how we can bridge the gap between science and the humanities, and proves that only by overcoming the fear of acquiring knowledge can we confront and solve the great challenges of the twenty-first century.’ - Hans Ulrich Obrist, Artistic Director, Serpentine Galleries

Pages: 304, Dimensions: 15.9x15.9cm