The Most Famous Painting In History Hides A Remarkable Secret

There have been many studies of Starry Night by physicists interested in the flow patterns on display in the painting. Previously it was believed that his depiction was inconsistent with Kolmogorov’s theory of turbulence, the theory used to mathematically understand the invisible phenomenon. However, the new study finds that the painting is much more accurate than previously believed. 

By closely studying a high-definition digital photo of Starry Night, the team of physicists were able to analyze and measure specific brush strokes. They found that taken as a whole, with each brush stroke measured, the whirls in the painting generally aligned with Kolmogorov’s theory. That accuracy includes accounting for turbulence affecting the visibility of stars many light years away. 

In addition to the brush strokes, brightness plays a key role in the accuracy of Starry Night. The effect of turbulence on light diffusion is also fairly modern, but Vincent van Gogh’s painting seems to accurately display the natural phenomenon. When combined with the size and distancing of brush strokes, that light is compelling evidence that the painting is accurate to the modern understanding of turbulence. 

The level of detail the physicists are attributing to Starry Night would be an incredible achievement today, but it’s particularly impressive because the painting predates modern turbulence theories. Kolmogorov’s theory was published in 1941, followed by George Batchelor’s principle of fluid dynamics in 1959. Yet the painting made in 1889 seems to be consistent with those modern scientific ideas. 

The degree of accuracy in Starry Night has led to speculation that van Gogh closely studied the behavior of cloud patterns. His painting displays a deep understanding of how turbulence functions visually, decades before the mathematical understanding of the phenomenon existed. This is causing physicists to reconsider past understandings of turbulence and the atmosphere. 

It’s unlikely Vincent van Gogh understood that what he was observing was the influence of uneven airflow in the atmosphere. Despite that, Starry Night is a more accurate representation of the phenomenon than scientific models from his time. Even more impressive, the painting was done from inside a windowless room, implying a deep understanding of the atmospheric behavior rather than a simple visual reproduction of a specific night sky.

While Starry Night has long been considered a masterpiece in the art world, it’s unexpected to see it having such a big impact on the field of physics. The painting has become a useful way to understand the physical properties of turbulence in the atmosphere and a surprisingly accurate display of multiple scientific principles. Described as the painting’s “hidden turbulence” it makes the painting an academic asset in addition to its artistic and aesthetic value. 

Source: Physics of Fluid