Written in the stars: The mystery of Van Gogh's masterpiece
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Show notes
More than 130 years after Vincent van Gogh painted The Starry Night, researchers believe they've identified the real stars that inspired one of the world's most famous artworks.
More than 130 years after Vincent van Gogh painted The Starry Night, researchers believe they've identified the real stars that inspired one of the world's most famous artworks.
Using astronomical modelling, historical weather data and Van Gogh's own letters, a South Korean team argues the painting depicts the Hyades star cluster rather than a previously suggested constellation.
The findings have renewed interest in the masterpiece that later inspired Don McLean's 1971 classic Vincent.
In this episode:
· How scientists reconstructed the night sky above southern France to identify the stars in The Starry Night
· How The Starry Night inspired Don McLean to write the song Vincent
· Why Van Gogh's life and work continue to captivate artists, scientists and audiences around the world.
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