Vincent van Gogh’s 1889 masterpiece, ‘The Starry Night,’ is renowned for its swirling clouds and luminous stars. These elements may reflect more than the artist’s emotional state.
A recent study suggests that Van Gogh had a deep, intuitive understanding of turbulence, a chaotic natural phenomenon described by mathematical laws.
Understanding Turbulence in Nature
Turbulence, observed in fluids such as water, smoke, and storm clouds, appears random but follows specific patterns. Larger swirls break down into smaller ones, forming a cascading structure that can be partly explained through mathematics.
Physicist Yongxiang Huang points out that these patterns, seen in river swirls, follow predictable physical laws. This foundational understanding was central to the analysis of Van Gogh’s ‘The Starry Night.’
Art Meets Physics in ‘The Starry Night’
Using a digital image of ‘The Starry Night,’ researchers measured the scales of its 14 main swirling shapes. They compared the size and intensity of these shapes to mathematical expectations derived from turbulence theories.
The analysis revealed that the painting’s swirls align with Kolmogorov’s theory of turbulence, which describes the energy transfer in fluid dynamics. This discovery suggests Van Gogh’s intuitive grasp of this complex scientific concept.
Kolmogorov and Batchelor’s Theories in Art
Kolmogorov’s theory, formulated in the 1940s, relates to the fluctuation in flow speed and energy dissipation rates. The team measured the luminance and brushstroke sizes in the painting to gauge this relationship.
Additionally, the researchers identified Batchelor’s scaling in the painting. This statistical pattern explains how small particles get mixed in turbulent flows, similar to algae in ocean currents or dust in the wind.
James Beattie, an astrophysics researcher, noted that this finding aligns with his own studies on the statistical representation of turbulence in art. Beattie was not involved in this study but found the results fascinating.
Coincidence or Intuitive Genius?
While Van Gogh might not have been aware of these equations, he likely had a profound observational capacity. Huang suggested that these physical relationships could have been embedded in Van Gogh’s mind through repeated exposure to natural turbulence.
Beattie echoed these thoughts, noting that Van Gogh’s representation of swirls and eddies might have unintentionally matched theoretical models, reflecting a deeper universality in his work.
Extending the Analysis to Other Works
The same analysis was applied to John Constable’s ‘Chain Pier, Brighton’ and a photograph of Jupiter’s Great Red Spot, revealing similar patterns. These works also exhibited turbulence-like structures.
Constable’s painting features clouds rather than well-defined swirls, but the structures mimic those seen in the sky, reinforcing the study’s findings.
For Van Gogh’s piece, which was painted during his stay at an asylum, the study highlights how intuitive artistic expression can align with scientific principles.
Turbulence and Its Complexities
Despite extensive study, turbulence remains one of physics’ most challenging phenomena to define and predict. A complete explanation continues to elude scientists.
Huang expressed that an in-depth understanding of turbulence could advance fields like weather forecasting and aviation safety, emphasizing its importance and difficulty.
The Universality of Turbulence in Art
Beattie admired how the painting’s resemblance to turbulent flow statistics captures universal beauty and complexity. This aspect contributes to the artwork’s allure and timelessness.
Van Gogh’s ‘The Starry Night’ not only mesmerises viewers with its beauty but also offers insights into the natural world. This study bridges the gap between art and science, revealing the unintentional genius behind Van Gogh’s work.
