South Korean Researchers Re‑date Van Gogh’s ‘Starry Night’ to July 22, 1889
South Korean team matched the painting’s sky to a predawn sky over Saint‑Remy de Provence on July 22 1889 using forensic astronomy.
In Brief
- •South Korean team matched the painting’s sky to a predawn sky over Saint‑Remy de Provence on July 22 1889 using forensic astronomy.
- •The new date is one month later than the long‑accepted June 1889 timeframe based on van Gogh’s asylum location.
- •The study, published in Scientific Reports, was led by Elijah Jeong‑hyun Kim, CEO of a Seoul telescope maker and PhD candidate at Kyung Hee University.
- •Key celestial features identified include a crescent moon, Venus, and the Hyades cluster rising in Taurus.
- •Weather analysis suggests the sky would have been clear enough for van Gogh to observe these elements.
Why It Matters
The proposed July 22 date reshapes the narrative of one of art’s most iconic works, illustrating how interdisciplinary science can refine art history. By aligning celestial details with the painting, the study offers a new lens for interpreting van Gogh’s creative process and may influence museum displays and scholarly discourse.
Key Details
- New Date
- July 22, 1889
- Previous Accepted Date
- June 1889
- Location
- Saint‑Remy de Provence, France
- Publication
- Scientific Reports
- Lead Researcher
- Elijah Jeong‑hyun Kim
- Key Celestial Features
- crescent moon, Venus, Hyades cluster
Context & Background
Art historians had long dated the painting to June 1889 after van Gogh entered the asylum; the new study challenges that timeline by aligning celestial details with a July 22 sky.
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