Tell us something we don't know: why science can't show us much about art

The scientific ‘discovery’ that Van Gogh’s art changed after his 1888 breakdown proves a forensic approach is no match for the subjective eye of an art lover

Related: Science peers into Van Gogh's Bedroom to shine light on colors of artist's mind

I am happy to announce a new annual award, the Vincent Prize for Scientifically Proving the Bleeding Obvious about Art History. The first winners are the researchers who, the papers tell us, have used chemical analysis of Vincent van Gogh’s paintings to reveal the astonishing fact that – get this – his art changed after his mental breakdown in late 1888.

There are objective results in science. There is no objective truth in art.

Related: John Dee painting originally had circle of human skulls, x-ray imaging reveals

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