TED-Ed Video Reveals Math Behind Van Gogh's 'Starry Night'
A TED-Ed lesson, crafted by math educator and artist Natalya St. Clair alongside animator Avi Ofer, delves into the mathematical concepts present in Vincent van Gogh's iconic 1889 painting 'Starry Night,' displayed at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City. This video illustrates how van Gogh's representation of turbulence in the artwork parallels contemporary physics and mathematics. MoMA characterizes the painting as a dynamic landscape brimming with energy, movement, and light, employing the impasto technique for a rhythmic visual effect. Titled 'The Unexpected Math Behind Van Gogh’s “Starry Night,”' the lesson posits that van Gogh instinctively captured the complex nature of turbulence, perhaps reflecting the chaotic final years of his life. The production is part of the TED-Ed educational initiative.
Key facts
- Vincent van Gogh painted 'Starry Night' in 1889.
- The painting is housed at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City.
- A TED-Ed lesson by Natalya St. Clair and Avi Ofer analyzes the math in the painting.
- The video explores how van Gogh depicted turbulence with scientific accuracy.
- MoMA describes the painting as a symbolic landscape with movement, energy, and light.
- Van Gogh's impasto technique creates a rhythmic effect.
- The lesson was created by math artist/teacher Natalya St. Clair and animator Avi Ofer.
- The video was published on TED-Ed.
Entities
Artists
- Vincent van Gogh
- Natalya St. Clair
- Avi Ofer
Institutions
- Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
- TED-Ed
- Open Culture
Locations
- New York City
- United States