Astronomers challenge dating of Van Gogh’s Starry Night
Study suggests much-loved work was based on a real dawn sky in July 1889 rather than just the artist’s rich imagination
TL;DR
- Researchers propose 'The Starry Night' might depict a real dawn sky from July 22, 1889, not solely imagination.
- The celestial arrangement of the moon, Venus, and the Hyades cluster in the painting could have been visible from Van Gogh's asylum window.
- The study involved matching a landscape sketch by Van Gogh and using astronomy software to recreate historical skies.
- The Van Gogh Museum maintains the painting was created in June 1889 and that Van Gogh was not concerned with exact likenesses.
- Other experts question the study's assumptions about the field of view and the accuracy of celestial body positions.