RecordNumber
3501
Author
Hart, George W.
Crop_Body
George W. Hart
Title of Article
Max Brücknerʼs Wunderkammer of Paper Polyhedra
Title Of Journal
Bridges
Publication Year
2019
Abstract
In 1900 the German mathematician Max Brückner published a book with photographs of 146 amazing paper
polyhedron models. While containing little that was cutting-edge mathematically and not produced as fine art, the
photographs have had an enormous influence on mathematical art ever since. The artist M.C. Escher was
particularly influential in spreading Brückner's ideas. I argue that the import of the book can best be understood
by seeing it as a Wunderkammer—a cabinet of curiosities—that excited wonder in the reader. This paper
explores Brückner's work and its legacy from that perspective.