Van Gogh Research Articles

Is there hidden turbulence in Vincent van Gogh's The Starry Night?

In a recent article (Ma Y, Cheng W, Huang S, et al. Hidden turbulence in van gogh's the starry night. Phys Fluids. 2024;6(095140):1–11) the authors claimed to have discovered hidden turbulence in Vincent van Gogh's painting of The Starry Night, and furthermore asserted that the painting was somehow consistent with the extension of Kolmogorov (Local structure of turbulence in an incompressible fluid at very high Reynolds numbers. Dokl Akad Nauk SSSR. 1941;30:299–303.)'s famous theory for turbulent flows by Obukhov (Spectral energy distribution in a turbulent flow. Dokl Akad Nauk SSSR. 1941;32:22–24) and Corrsin (On the spectrum of isotropic temperature fluctuations in an isotropic turbulence. J Appl Phys. 1951;22:469–473. doi: 10.1063/1.1699986). We argue here that the conclusions in the paper are completely unfounded.

Van Gogh and the End of Nature by Michael Lobel

Van Gogh and the End of Nature by Michael Lobel

Elicited emotion: effects of inoculation of an art style on emotionally strong images

The objective of this research is to study how the application of the Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) artistic filter can be an alternative to mitigate the emotional response to photographs with strong emotional content published in Internet news. Van Gogh’s artistic style was extracted through a CNN and inoculated with 64 IAPS images chosen to cover the entire emotional space. 140 university students of both sexes (70 men and 70 women) with an average age of 22 years, evaluated 128 stimuli, 64 original and 64 digitally inoculated, giving the appearance that they were painted with the artistic style of Van Gogh. For the evaluation of the stimuli, four groups were established under the conditions: 1 high arousal—positive valence, 2 negative valence—low arousal, 3 high arousal—negative valence and 4, low arousal, positive valence. The original images (OI) tended to produce less pleasant effects, while the images inoculated with filters made with CNN provoked reactions with a tendency to calm. The most significant changes in the emotional states are observed in the valence, the stimuli with the inoculation of the artistic style produces alterations with a tendency to pleasant effects. The averages of the comparisons of the dimensions valence and arousal of the OI and the CNN allow to show that there are differences in the emotional states, the results can permit the development of a methodology that, based on the inoculation of the artistic style of original paintings through CNN in emotionally strong images, a new image is created that replaces the strong images published in the Internet news.

Bridging Heritage and Modernity: A Comparative Study of Traditional Chinese and Western Flower-and-Bird Paintings

The research paper investigates the minute intricacies of the correlation between cultural philosophies and aesthetic traditions by conducting a comparative analysis of the flower-and-bird motifs between traditional Chinese and Western paintings. The research uses the theory of Erwin Panofsky's Iconography and Iconology framework to examine the painting techniques which include brushstrokes, colour, and composition that identify the way these elements reflect the broader cultural attitude towards nature. Chinese paintings, especially the ones relating to the Chang’an School are known to be rooted in the Daoist and Confucian philosophies. This emphasises harmony, interconnectedness, and balance. On the contrary, Western artworks of the same motif by artists such as Vincent van Gogh and Claude Monet focus on emotional depth through individual perspective and resonance. The paper conducts qualitative research through the incorporation of primary research data from the various artworks from both Chinese and Western artists as well as secondary data from existing academic literature which helped to analyse the symbolic and visual details. The primary findings of the research show that Chinese art is more focused on universal moral philosophies that use symbolic motifs whereas the Western approach prioritises personal expression and highlights the transience of natural beauty. The paper concludes with a final recommendation for future research into the influence of globalisation and digital technology on the traditional artistic forms and techniques which foster hybrid styles and create connectivity between the East and the West.

Turbulent scaling law in Ogata Kōrin's Red and White Plum Blossoms

Stylized turbulent swirls depicted in artworks are often analyzed with the modern tools for real turbulent flows such as the power spectrum and the structure function. Motivated by the recent study on The Starry Night of van Gogh [Ma et al., Phys. Fluids, 36 095140 (2024)], we here analyze Ogata Kōrin's Red and White Plum Blossoms, in particular its swirling pattern and the bark of the plum-tree trunk. The results show that they follow closely the Obukhov–Corrsin spectrum k−5/3 in the inertial-convective range of the passive scalar advected by the homogeneous and isotropic turbulence. Furthermore, their fourth- and sixth-order structure functions exhibit approximately the same intermittent scaling law of the passive scalar. We discuss several possible explanations of this consistency.

The Charm and Significance of Painting in the Modern World

This paper delves deep into the charm and significance of painting in the modern world. As an ancient art form, painting has witnessed numerous masterpieces throughout history, ranging from prehistoric cave paintings to classic works in the East and West. In modern society, it plays multiple important roles. As a medium for self - expression, artists such as Vincent van Gogh, Frida Kahlo, and Banksy convey their inner worlds and social views through painting. Painting can shape cultural identities, reflecting the values and histories of different cultures and contributing to the preservation of cultural heritage. Its therapeutic potential has been recognized in the field of psychology. Art therapy centered around painting can promote emotional expression, self - exploration, and healing, benefiting people of all ages and backgrounds. Technology has had a significant impact on painting. Digital tools have changed the way of creation, bringing both limitations and new possibilities. Meanwhile, technologies such as virtual exhibitions and digital restoration have revolutionized the methods of display and preservation. In the future, painting is expected to witness various style trends, such as the integration of art forms, the revival of traditional techniques, and the use of non - traditional materials. It will also adapt to social and environmental changes in terms of material selection and theme expression. In conclusion, painting, as the cornerstone of human expression, culture, and well - being, has an immortal legacy and will continue to be a source of inspiration and cultural richness.

The surprising spectacle of splashing soup: Critical reflections on climate protests targeting art

Numerous news media outlets across the world have reported on climate protestors splashing food and paint across some of the world’s most recognisable paintings from van Gogh’s ‘Sunflowers’ to the ‘Mona Lisa’. These events are a type of climate protest that has been gaining popularity in recent years – stunts targeting cultural artefacts and famous artwork to garner media attention. These forms of protest warrant closer analysis for several reasons. In most cases there was no discernable damage to these works of art due to protective glass coverings, yet these (often young) protestors are still depicted, treated and charged as criminals. In this paper, we utilise Guy Debord’s ideas on ‘the spectacle’, ‘détournement’ and ‘recuperation’ to imagine these acts as complex performative and discursive events. Our initial premise emphasises both the unique transformative potential of art activism, and inherent limitations in mobilising change. We present a call for further research and critical reflection on this phenomenon of counter-conduct that uses newsworthy (although nearly harmless) law-breaking to protest inaction on climate change.

The Picture of Health: Seeing the Health of the Chronically Challenged Through Van Gogh's Sunflowers as a Needed Revision of the Clinical Perspective.

This article identifies and offers a response to several problems that affect the quality of both clinical education and health care services. These matters are: that in clinical training and practice, health, as lived by patients (persons), is not properly considered, and is equated reductively with treating diseases/disorders; that health is seen through disease, and as restricted to a single model defined by an organism's meeting (or being returned to) biochemical or functional standards; that intellectual assumptions instilled in schools of Medicine and Psychology about realities pertaining to healthcare determine an understanding of chronic illness or life with chronic challenges focused on impairment and suffering, and not on the fuller experience of living with illness, disability or neuropsychological challenges that patients have as persons; that arts-based education reflects the same focus in understanding 'illness', and thus neglects giving attention to the creation of personal health states of those living with challenging or debilitating long-term conditions; that, consequently, the arts are instrumentalized to serve these predefined educational purposes, rather than allowed to inform clinical training through that which is intrinsic or more specific to them. As a way out of these limitations and as an illustration of how things could be done differently, Vincent Van Gogh's paintings of the Sunflowers are used as visual inspiration for how we could change the way we see, and construct new mental representations of 'health', 'chronic illness' or 'chronic challenges', 'patient as person' or even 'person as non-patient', 'the clinician's role' and 'the identity of clinical practice'. Relying on Van Gogh's depictions of the sunflowers as an example and a visual basis, the article shows how characteristics typical to art (transformation, alternative generation, etc.) can be transferred into the perception and conceptualisation of clinically relevant realities, and discusses the benefits of these changes for clinical practice.

A Comparative Study of the Sunflower Symbols in the Works of Van Gogh and Anselm Kiefer

A Comparative Study of the Sunflower Symbols in the Works of Van Gogh and Anselm Kiefer

Стратегії біографічного письма: Ірвінг Стоун та його романи-біографії художників у розвитку біографістики

The article is dedicated to the development of the genre of fictionalised biography, its beginnings, the aspects of its evolution and transformation, and inter-art strategies, as highlighted primarily in the material of biographical prose about artists written by the American writer Irving Stone. Starting from 1934, when Lust for Life about Vincent van Gogh came out, and during the upcoming decades, Stone resorted to the genre on many occasions, thus laying the foundation for the development of fictionalised biographies about artists, sculptors and other renowned personalities. In 1957, as a popular biographical novel writer, Stone presented the fundamentals of biographical fiction in a lecture he delivered at the Library of Congress. The paper focuses on the analysis of primary strategies for writing fictional biographies identified in novels about artists, the lecture about biographical novels, and during analysis of the specifics of the development of the genre of fictionalised biographies in a long-term prospect. The article examines the basics of biographical novels in the legacy of Irving Stone and within a wider context of biographical fiction development. The historical and literary approach and intermedial studies have been used to analyse trends in the development of the genre of biographies of artists. The analysis is centred on the essential characteristics of biographical novels about artists by Irving Stone, which feature complicated personalities, exposure of the psychology of the character, and the poetics of inter-art interaction which are revealed through a detailed study of an artist’s studio, description of the creative process, the use of pictorial quotes and ekphrasis, complying with the palette via the use of colour terms. Currently, we are witnessing a resurgence of interest in biographical fiction in Western literary studies, which is attested to by such works as L’épuisement du biographique? еd. by V. Broqua and G. Marche, 2010, a 2014 collection of interviews Truthful Fictions: Conversations with American Biographical Novelists, a 2012 publication of the special edition of the Critique journal on the issues of biographical genre.

Effects of Humic Acid Applications along with Reduced Nitrogen Fertilization on Potato Tuber Yield and Quality

This research was conducted in 2020 to determine the effects of leonardite-derived humic acids (Humas-15, Liquid Humus and Humico Maximix-K) with different properties, along with reduced nitrogen fertilization, on tuber yield and quality in potatoes (cv. Van Gogh). In the study, chemical fertilizer applications were made as basic fertilization (20 N 10 P 10 K), reduced fertilization I (15 N 10 P 10 K) and reduced fertilization II (10 N 10 P 10 K). Humic acids were applied twice with irrigation water, at the beginning of the flowering period and 15 days later. Humas-15 and Liquid Humus were applied at 1.0 and 2.0 lt/da doses, and Humico Maximix-K was applied at 400 and 800 g/da doses. A total of seven traits (tuber number per plant, tuber yield per plant, marketable tuber yield, total tuber yield, dry matter content, reducing sugar content and total sugar content) were measured. Reducing nitrogen applications with humic acid applications significantly affected all the traits studied. Humic acid applications combined with reduced nitrogen fertilization increased the number of tubers per plant by up to 13%, marketable tuber yield by up to 18% and total tuber yield by up to 16% compared with the control. Total and reducing sugar contents varied between 1.27-1.58% and 159-389 mg/100g fw, respectively depending on the applications. In the study, the highest tuber yield was obtained from 1.0 and 2.0 L/da Humas-15 and 2.0 L/da Liquid Humus applications applied together with reducing nitrogen applications which have close values to the recommended fertilization applications.

The jeong and haan of Vincent van Gogh: neuropeptides of bondedness and loss.

We introduce two Korean-named yet transcultural feelings, jeong and haan, to fill gaps in neuroscientific understanding of mammalian bondedness, loss, and aggression. Jeong is a visceral sense of connectedness to a person, place, or thing that may arise after proximity, yet does not require intimacy. The brain opioid theory of social attachment (BOTSA) supports the idea that jeong involves increased activity of enkephalins and beta-endorphins. We propose that withdrawal of jeong-related neuropeptides leads to original haan, a sense of "missingness" that is too subtle to be grossly dysphoric. Through narrative, cognitive appraisals, or moral assignments, however, original haan may transform into the feeling of constructed haan-resentment, bitterness, grievance, sorrow, or suppressed anger. In males, the transformation may be driven by arginine vasopressin, an ancient fight-or-flight neurohormone. Constructed haan may also be driven by vasopressin in females, though data is more sparse, and in both sexes it may depend on situational or societal context. Endogenous opioids inhibit vasopressin, so that when jeong diminishes, vasopressin release may become disinhibited. This relationship implies a companion to the BOTSA, which we articulate as the brain opioid and vasopressin theory of original and constructed haan (BOVTOCH). To illustrate, we reflect on borderline personality disorder, and Vincent van Gogh's self-severing of his ear while living and working with Paul Gauguin, and fearing abandonment by him; yet to understand Van Gogh more completely we also present the brain opioid theory of stable euphoric creativity (BOTSEC), to model the subjective "highs" associated with creative flow states. Together these brain opioid theories may help to explain how feelings related to social bondedness can influence a range of phenomena. For example, opioid drug dependence may be, at least partly, a maladaptive response to feelings of isolation or disconnectedness; the health protective effects of social bonds could be related to tonic exposure to endogenous opioids and their anti-inflammatory properties; endogenous opioid-based social relational enhancement may contribute to placebo responding. Finally we conclude by pointing out the possibility of virtuous cycles of social connectedness and creativity, when feelings of bondedness and euphoric flow reinforce one another through endogenous opioid elevation.

Artificial Intelligence in Artistic Creation: Revolutionizing Digital Drawing

This article examines how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming digital drawing. Using tools such as VERAS, Midjourney, and DALL-E 2, it explores AI's impact on creativity, artistic processes, and authorship. The research includes practical cases where AI adapts hand-drawn sketches into styles like those of Van Gogh, Frida Kahlo, or Luis Barragán. Results show that AI enhances artistic capabilities and productivity but also raises ethical challenges and technical limitations, such as the lack of conceptual depth in AI-generated works. In conclusion, the integration of AI in digital art presents opportunities and challenges, requiring a balance between technological innovation and human creativity.

Differentiating between Iconic Mindbombs and Incongruous Mindbombs Using Pentadic Ratios in the Defacing of Priceless Art in Environmental Activism

This essay applies environmental activist Robert Hunter’s conception of mindbombs to recent environmental activists throwing tomato soup, throwing mashed potatoes, and smearing paint on Van Gogh’s, Monet’s, and Degas’s works of art. Hunter’s mindbombs align with Hariman’s and Lucaites’s (2003; 2007; 2016; 2018) iconic photography while the defacing of priceless works of art adhere to Burke’s (1954) grotesque perspective by incongruity. In turn, iconic mindbombs relied on Burke’s (1969a) scene-purpose pentadic ratio, while incongruous mindbombs rely on Burke’s scene-act pentadic ratio. 

Change Through Performance: The Impacts of Physical Yet Non-Violent Protesting

This paper explores the impact of non-violent physical protests targeting public spaces, historic structures, and prolific art pieces without causing direct harm to people. Focusing on the international activist group A22 Movement, it examines their unique approach of using eye-catching, non-permanent visuals through throwing paint or food to create obstructions that provoke public attention. Looking closely at key examples such as the defacing of the Mona Lisa and Van Gogh’s painting Sunflowers, this paper dives into thetheatrical and performance-based nature of these protests and the discourse they stir both in person and online. The paper draws parallels between key elements of A22 Movement’s protests and historic events like the Boston Tea Party, highlighting their shared use of striking visuals and the power of spectacle to raise public awareness and start conversations worldwide. It suggests that these non-violent physical protests and their performance-based methods are reshaping the culture of protesting, and may become more common in the following years.

The Relationship between Creativity and Mental Illness: An Artistic Perspective

This paper investigates the intricate relationship between creativity and mental illness, particularly focusing on mood disorders such as major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder. By examining historical perspectives, psychological theories, and research findings, the discussion examines the dual personas of artists as both troubled geniuses and societal outliers. Historical narratives of artists like Vincent van Gogh and Virginia Woolf highlight the interplay of mental health and creative output. Modern psychological research suggests that certain cognitive patterns associated with mental illness may enhance creative potential, while artistic expression is increasingly recognized as a therapeutic tool for alleviating symptoms of mental distress. This work also emphasizes the need for ethical representation of mental illness in art and calls for interdisciplinary efforts to further understand this complex relationship. Keywords: Creativity, Mental Illness, Bipolar Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, Artistic Expression, Vincent van Gogh.

Atmospheric Pollution Depicted in Impressionists’ Paintings

Art is perhaps the most important means of expressing creativity and imagination. It can serve as a form of communication, allowing artists to convey messages and comment on various topics. Environmental art is a dynamic and multifaceted form of artistic expression that highlights the causes and consequences of environmental problems, such as atmospheric pollution, and facilitate the environmental awareness of societies along with the need to find sustainable solutions to address environmental degradation. The aim of this study was to present paintings created by impressionists that depict atmospheric pollution. A total of 43 paintings were listed after searching the websites of 26 museums worldwide and 10 of them were indicatively selected by applying specific criteria and commented on in this paper. Four of the selected paintings were created by Claude Monet, two by Jean-Baptiste Armand Guillaumin, and the rest of them by James McNeill Whistler, Charles-François Daubigny, Camille Pissarro, and Vincent Van Gogh. These 10 paintings depict, among other things, the emission of pollutants into the atmosphere, due to fossil fuel combustion, mainly coal, which contributes to smog development. This study could be exploited by authorities, associations, educational centres, and other interested parties when planning educational activities for the causes, consequences, and solutions of atmospheric pollution over time, while promoting the use of art in environmental and sustainability education.

Exploration of the Expression of Color Emotion in Oil Painting Sketch Creation

This paper deeply analyzes the expression of color emotion in oil painting sketch creation. Starting with the three basic attributes of color theory (hue, lightness, and purity), this paper discusses its emotional symbolic significance and the relationship between contrast and harmony. By interpreting the works of artists such as Van Gogh’s Sunflower, Monet’s Rouen Cathedral, and Cézanne’s Mont Sainte-Victoire, this paper shows the unique charm of different colors in conveying emotions, creating atmosphere, and expressing themes. At the same time, it is expounded that in the creation of an oil painting sketch, the effective expression of color emotion can be realized by observing nature, using subjective colors, and reasonable composition and layout of colors, so as to enhance the artistic value of the works.

Taking the Immersive Dynamic Visual Expression of "Van Gogh Alive" as an Example, Explore the Digital Expression of the City Brand Image

Taking the Immersive Dynamic Visual Expression of "Van Gogh Alive" as an Example, Explore the Digital Expression of the City Brand Image

Digital Dreams and Dubious Dollars: The Challenge of Immersive Van Gogh

The purpose of this study is to discuss the popularity, questions, and controversies surrounding art-themed digital immersive exhibitions based on the life and paintings of Dutch painter Vincent Van Gogh (1853-1890). Since 2019, art-themed immersive exhibits have become extremely popular, with attendance that outstrips many museums showing the same artists, spawning controversy and challenging the fine art world. This study examines the rise of immersive art experiences, arguments for and against immersive spectacles as a way of experiencing artwork, and theoretical perspectives. Methodologies include research into historical, cultural, and commercial contexts including reviews, analyses, critiques, and participant observation. The study discusses components of the exhibition and presents specific arguments for and against them by producers, art critics, critical theorists, and spectators. Questions considered include: Are these exhibitions offering authentic art experiences, or are they exploiting great art for profit? Are they making art more accessible, or are they leading people away from seeing original paintings? Is the way people relate to art fundamentally changing in the age of social media, and if so, how will museums adjust? This study is novel in that it presents and evaluates diverging viewpoints on these controversies and proposes a more flexible approach that centers participant experiences over marketing claims and critical objections.