http://arxiv.org/abs/physics/0606246

You must see it:

Physics, abstract
physics/0606246

From: Jose-Luis Aragon [view email]Date: Wed, 28 Jun 2006 14:10:58 GMT   (167kb)

Kolmogorov scaling in impassioned van Gogh paintings

Authors:
J.L. Aragón,
Gerardo G. Naumis,
M. Bai,
M. Torres,
P.K. Maini

Comments: 3 pages, 6 figures

Subj-class: Fluid Dynamics

We show that some impassioned van Gogh paintings display scaling properties
similar to the observed in turbulent fluids, suggesting that these paintings
reflect the fingerprint of turbulence with such a realism that is even
consistent with the way that a mathematical model characterizes this
phenomenon. Specifically, we show that the probability distribution function
(PDF) of luminance fluctuations of points (pixels) separated by a distance R is
consistent with the Kolmogorov scaling theory in turbulent fluids. We also show
that the most turbulent paintings of van Gogh coincide with periods of
prolonged psychotic agitation of this artist.

The conjunction is like this: if you see eddies in this beautiful picture from NASA

Then you may start doing all kind of PDF analysis of everything and find out maybe that van Gogh’s paintings, e.g. The Starry Night is also “turbulent”, isn’t it nice?

http://www.moma.org/collection/printable_view.php?object_id=79802