Scientists turn art detectives to date van Gogh's 'Starry Night' to actual sky from 1889

The South Korean team analyzed astronomical details in the painting, which depict a specific celestial configuration that doesn't align with the previously assumed June 1889 date. The crescent moon and star positions suggest the scene captures an actual night sky from a different time.

Astronomical Evidence

The researchers' findings indicate that Van Gogh may have painted what he actually saw in the sky rather than creating a purely imaginary scene. This discovery provides new insight into the artist's working methods and the historical context of the iconic artwork.