Van Gogh's Mathematical Swirls
2006/07/10 Galarraga Aiestaran, Ana - Elhuyar Zientzia
Vincent Van Gogh highlights color and movement. In some works prior to suicide —Starry Night (1889), Cypress and Star Path (1890) and Wheat Field with Candles (1890)— turbulent skies appear. It seems that the swirls are the reflection of the situation of the artist, who at that time suffered psychotic crisis. Now, physicists at the University of Mexico have shown that these seemingly chaotic whirlpools are perfect.
Scientists have needed centuries to describe turbulent flow, as it is not easy (some consider quantum mechanics more complex than it). Although not yet fully explained, the current theory is based on the work done by scientist Andrei Kolmogorov in the 1940s.
The Kolmogorov equation explains the probability of knowing the speed difference between any two points in the flow, and thus the swirls of Van Gohen coincide.
Similar figures also appear in works by other artists such as the painting Garrasia by Eduard Munch, but do not coincide with the equation.
