June 16, 2003 — Astronomers using historical data, scientific research, and clues from a painting have solved two questions that have vexed art historians for years: what is the subject matter of F735, one of Vincent van Gogh's master works, and when was it painted?

The painting, now known as "Moonrise," was found to depict the rising of the moon in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, France. Van Gogh captured the event as it was happening at precisely 9:08 p.m. local time on July 13, 1889.



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Amazing how they can narrow the time down to the minute after over a hundred years.

That's what I thought was fascinating. A little insite into seeing through Van Gogh's eyes.

Very Interesting! Great Article---Great Link!

In the Article they say there was 2 possible dates that he could have painted it, May 16 and July 13. They say they worked out that it was July 13 because the wheat had been reaped and stacked. However in Van Gogh's letter to Gaughin he say's "I have one (painting) in progress of a moonrise over the same field as the sketch in the letter to Gaughin, but with wheat stacks replacing the wheat. It is dull yellow ochre and violet. Anyway, you will see it sometime soon."

"wheat stacks replacing the wheat." That tells me that the wheat wasn't yet harvested, which means it would more likely be May 16 when he painted it.

What do you guy's think ?

Here's what I think. I think the painting he talked about in the letter IS the "Moonrise" painting. I think that he had already done a separate painting of the wheatfield earlier. I have found a painting he did titled "Wheatfield with Cypresses". It was done in June 1889, just one month BEFORE the "Moonrise" painting. Of course I could be totally wrong. Keep in mind that the landscapes do look a little different, but as an artist it is your own decision as to what you paint and what you don't. Let me know what you think.

LINK with picture and a little info about picture

LINK to picture