Art History: Myths, Mediums, and Masterpieces

Ever wonder if Van Gogh’s Starry Night was actually done in watercolor? Or if Picasso ever reached for a tube of acrylic paint? You’re not alone—these questions pop up in coffee chats, art classes, and TikTok videos. The good news? We can cut through the rumors and look at what the evidence really says.

Starry Night: Watercolor or Oil?

First off, Starry Night was painted in 1889 while Van Gogh was staying at a Saint‑Rémy asylum. He wrote dozens of letters to his brother Theo, describing his work in vivid detail. In those letters he calls the canvas “oil” and talks about “thick layers of paint.” That’s a solid clue because watercolor behaves very differently—no thick texture, no heavy brushstrokes.

Scientists have also taken a look. Using infrared reflectography and X‑ray fluorescence, researchers have mapped the pigments and found the typical oil‑based lead white, cadmium yellow, and ultramarine. Watercolor pigments would have shown a different chemical signature. So the short answer: it’s oil, not watercolor.

Why do people think it’s watercolor? The sky’s swirling blues and soft edges look like a wash, which is easy to mistake for watercolor. But Van Gogh’s technique, called “impasto,” actually builds paint up to create texture you can feel. That texture is a dead giveaway for oil.

Picasso & Acrylic: Fact or Fiction?

Pablo Picasso lived from 1881 to 1973, a time when acrylic paint was just emerging. The first commercially viable acrylic polymer emulsion appeared in the 1950s. By then Picasso was already an established master of oil, charcoal, and collage. He did experiment with new media—like when he tried collage in the 1910s—but there’s no concrete evidence he ever used acrylics.

Some art historians point to a handful of late‑career works that have a matte finish similar to early acrylics. However, those pieces can also be explained by the use of oil mixed with matte varnish, a common practice in the 1960s. No signed receipts, no studio notes, and no contemporary testimonies mention acrylic tubes in Picasso’s toolbox.

What we do know is that Picasso loved to adopt whatever material suited his idea at the moment. He painted with oil, drew with charcoal, sculpted with plaster, and even made ceramics. If he had found acrylic useful, he probably would have left a note—just like he did with oil.

So the myth that Picasso painted with acrylics is more legend than fact. It’s a reminder that big names attract big stories, but not every story holds up under a microscope.

Understanding these myths helps us see how art history evolves. New tech, fresh research, and even casual curiosity keep the conversation going. Whether you’re a student, a collector, or just someone who loves a good art fact, digging into the real medium behind a masterpiece makes the work feel more alive.

Next time you stare at a swirling night sky or a bold cubist shape, ask yourself: what’s really on the canvas? The answer might surprise you, and it’ll definitely make your next art museum visit a bit more exciting.