Antwerp Moon Artist Paul Van Hoeydonck Dies at 99

Wijnegem (Eurotoday) – Paul Van Hoeydonck, the renowned Antwerp-born artist who created the first artwork ever placed on the moon, passed away peacefully on Saturday at the age of 99. His family issued an official statement confirming his death at home, with his wife Marleen by his side.

Van Hoeydonck’s most iconic contribution to art and space exploration came with the design of Fallen Astronaut, a small aluminum sculpture installed on the moon by Apollo 15 astronauts in 1971. The piece served as a tribute to astronauts and cosmonauts who died in the pursuit of space exploration.

“A few weeks ago, we celebrated his 99th and a half birthday with him,” wrote Philip Heylen, a close friend of the artist and an honorary alderman of Antwerp, in a public tribute.

“Even then, it was evident that his light was slowly fading. It’s hard to grasp that Paul is no longer among us. It felt like he would be here forever—and in a sense, through his extraordinary artistic legacy, he is. His work continues to speak to us.”

Born on October 8, 1925, in Antwerp, Van Hoeydonck pursued a career in art that spanned multiple disciplines, including sculpture, painting, drafting, and graphical compositions. He experimented with contemporary materials such as bronze, chrome, steel, plexiglass, and polyester. Fallen Astronaut remained the only artwork on the lunar surface until February 2023, when American artist Jeff Koons sent 125 miniature sculptures to the moon.

Van Hoeydonck’s career extended well beyond his lunar achievement. His works were exhibited in prestigious international venues, including shows in Milan and at the Guggenheim Museum in New York. After moving to Wijnegem in 1955, he lived there until his passing and was named an honorary citizen of the town in 2021.

Key Milestones in Paul Van Hoeydonck’s Career and the Evolution of Lunar Art

Van Hoeydonck achieved global recognition in 1971 when Apollo 15 astronauts David Scott and James Irwin placed his sculpture, Fallen Astronaut, on the moon. The memorial—an 8.5 cm aluminum figure—was designed in compliance with NASA’s specific regulations, which included being lightweight, durable, and free from commercial or nationalistic symbolism.

A modernist at heart, Van Hoeydonck demonstrated his versatility through sculpture, painting, and mixed media works. His art graced the walls of notable exhibitions worldwide, including the Guggenheim in New York and various venues in Milan. Fallen Astronaut remained the sole authorized lunar artwork for over 50 years until Koons sent additional sculptures in 2023 via a private space mission.

The Apollo 15 mission—NASA’s fourth lunar landing—transported Van Hoeydonck’s sculpture and positioned it beside a plaque honoring 14 astronauts and cosmonauts who lost their lives in the advancement of space exploration.

Although the statue’s exact location on the lunar surface remains unknown due to the absence of precise coordinates, its presence has immortalized Van Hoeydonck’s contributions to both the art world and the history of space exploration. His peaceful passing in 2024 has reignited global interest in his legacy, especially amid the growing intersection of art and space travel.