A new study suggests Vincent van Gogh showed a deep, intuitive understanding of the mathematical structure of turbulence in his painting “The Starry Night.”

The swirling colors and flowing brushstrokes of Vincent van Gogh’s Starry Night have secured the painting (and its artist) a place among the all-time greats. As a piece of art, Starry Night is undeniably beautiful, but beauty alone is often not enough to keep a painting so cemented in the minds and hearts of the public.

When Vincent van Gogh painted “ The Starry Night ” 135 years ago, he captured a subjective feeling about the heavens. But, as it turns out, real science is also reflected in the iconic piece, a new study reveals about his brushstrokes.