http://www.jstor.org/pss/630196

	
Other sources show the Parthenon as quite dubious, actually. It lines up nicely in the diagram you give, but that's because it's an idealized picture. See laptops.maine.edu/GoldenRatio.pdf. – mattdm 4 hours ago 
	
Using systems of ratios between integers has a long, documented history in aesthetics, going back at least to Pythagoras's harmonics and to the Vitruvian system of proportions. But, as with the Leon Battista Alberti quote you give, it's all integers, not phi. In fact, the fact that he specifically says so is pretty strong evidence. – mattdm 4 hours ago 
	
This article springerlink.com/content/271155711113jmr8 debunks the idea of the golden ratio in Alberti's architecture, arguing that his principles are indeed integer harmonics. – mattdm 4 hours ago 
  	
 	
	
The source you cite only cared to measure the external sizes of the pantheon, but does not really say anything about the claims on the rest of the façade. Also, it notes that the ratio on the external sizes is actually 1.7 (he sais it's not acceptable, but honestly it's within 5% of the correct value). – Sklivvz 4 hours ago
	
I'm not seeing any serious (i.e., other-than-random-lines-superimposed) references to Piero della Francesca and the golden ratio. He doesn't appear to mention it in his book on perspective and proportions. (Again, this is solid counter evidence: if he thought it was important, wouldn't he have at least noted it in his book?) – mattdm 4 hours ago 
  	
 	
	
@matt springerlink.com/content/271155711113jmr8 does not debunk anything: it merely states that LB Alberti used harmonic ratios - which are tightly linked with phi. The link I provided explains this link in much more detail digilander.libero.it/initlabor/musica-architettura-michelutti/… (it's in Italian, sorry) – Sklivvz 4 hours ago
	
@Sklivvz: 1.7 is pretty far off of Phi if you're looking for precise mathematical perfection. There are other examples of skepticism of the Parthenon and the golden ratio, though: see, for example, this 1856 response to Zeising: books.google.com/… – mattdm 4 hours ago 
  	
 	
	
@matt if Alberti did not say otherwise we are free to interpret his work as we see fit, but you are entitled to your opinion. I admit (in the answer) that it's weak evidence. – Sklivvz 4 hours ago
  	
 	
	
@matt: if you don't have a constructive criticism to make, but would like to discuss, come in chat. Otherwise I am abandoning this thread. Comments should be posted to improve answers, not to voice your opinions. Use an answer for that. – Sklivvz 4 hours ago
	
@Sklivvz: arguing that integer ratios are the same as the golden ratio waters down the claim so much that it's basically meaningless. But even then, I'm still not seeing any evidence that any early artist started from phi and built a system of integer harmonics. It seems to be quite the other way around: systems of integer harmonics are being re-framed by modern analsyis. – mattdm 4 hours ago 
	
@Sklivvz: I'm sorry you're not seeing this as constructive. I'm merely pointing out where the references you give are weak. If you can strengthen them, that would indeed improve the answer. – mattdm 4 hours ago 
	
And finally, Luca Pacioli. Simply put, he was a mathematician, not an artist. His book is very interesting now, but it's unclear that it caught on among artists in the manner now commonly claimed. That's what I'm looking for evidence for. – mattdm 4 hours ago


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http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/455782/Phidias