Xanthopsia and van Gogh's yellow palette

Area of Science:

• Art History
• Medical Humanities
• Visual Perception

Background:

• Vincent van Gogh's paintings from 1886-1890 show a notable prevalence of yellow.
• His health issues, including malnutrition and substance abuse, may have influenced his work.
• The study investigates potential external factors affecting his color perception.

Discussion:

• Investigated xanthopsia from digitalis or santonin, but found no evidence of van Gogh's use.
• Ruled out lens aging due to his youth.
• Considered sunstroke and absinthe hallucinations, but these do not fully explain the widespread yellow dominance.

Key Insights:

• Artistic preference for exaggerated colors, particularly yellow, is the most plausible explanation for the 'high yellow' period.
• External factors like illness and substance use exacerbated his condition but are unlikely direct causes of the color shift.
• Van Gogh's own letters support a deliberate artistic choice.

Outlook:

• Further research could explore the psychological impact of his conditions on artistic expression.
• Comparative analysis of other artists experiencing similar health challenges.
• Investigating the symbolic meaning of yellow in art history and its potential connection to van Gogh's mental state.