Van Gogh captured the complex physics of turbulence in oil paint
In short: Why does a 19th-century painting feel so dynamically alive? This video explores how Vincent van Gogh intuitively depicted one of the most difficult concepts in modern physics: the chaotic beauty of turbulence.
Turbulence is a fluid dynamics phenomenon characterized by chaotic, irregular motion. While it remains mathematically difficult to fully solve—so much so that physicist Werner Heisenberg cited it as one of the universe's greatest mysteries—it is a fundamental part of how light and fluids move in our world.
Natalya St. Clair illustrates how Van Gogh’s brushwork in 'The Starry Night' mirrors these complex patterns. By analyzing the swirling forms in the painting, we can see how the artist captured the visual essence of fluid movement and light, bridging the gap between human expression and physical reality.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: The unexpected math behind Van Gogh's "Starry Night" - Natalya St. Clair
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