Oliver Byrne's Elements of Euclid

In one of the most stunning expositions of mathematical publishing, Oliver Byrne combines Euclid’s geometric theories with vibrant colour proofs, turning what was already a cornerstone academic text into a pedagogical work of art.

First published in 1847, Oliver Byrne’s Elements of Euclid is an innovative educational masterpiece. Uniquely beautiful in its presentation, Byrne’s edition was the first attempt to illustrate the classic books of mathematical theorems written by the ancient Greek mathematician, Euclid of Alexandria, in 300BC. Scattered across each page in brilliant reds, blues and yellows are triangles, squares and circles combined in a myriad of combinations with intersecting lines and numbers. These intricate figures express the proofs of many of the iconic geometric equations that form the bedrock of mathematical study. This stunning example of numerical visual study greatly influenced the history of mathematics, with Euclid’s text being used in classrooms until the late nineteenth century. It has also proven to be an indispensable inspiration for following twentieth-century art movements, with avant-garde groups like De Stijl and The Bauhaus using Byrne’s iconic colour, line work and form in many of their works. A facsimile edition of this legacy work has been painstakingly restored for a new generation to enjoy. Taking special care to conserve the colours, shapes and text as they were printed on publication in the hope to recapture the magic of this beautiful volume for future readers, both inside and outside of the classroom.