Belgian Paul Van Hoeydonck, first artist on the moon, dies aged 99

The Belgian artist Paul Van Hoeydonck, best known for being the first artist to have his work on the moon, has died aged 99.

His family announced the news in a post on Facebook on Saturday.

'Fallen Astronaut' was an 8.5 centimetre aluminium sculpture made to represent both astronauts and cosmonauts who died in the race between the United States and the Soviet Union to explore space.

Paul Van Hoeydonck's 'Fallen Astronaut' was the first artwork, other than the US flag, on the moon. (Paul Van Hoeydonck's 'Fallen Astronaut' was the first artwork, other than the US flag, on the moon.)

The stylised figure was made to be light, solid and able to resist the extreme temperature variations of the Moon’s surface. The work can be found at Hadley Rille on the lunar surface.

The two Apollo 15 astronauts gather lunar samples. David R. Scott, commander, is on the left; lunar module pilot James B. Irwin is on the right. (The two Apollo 15 astronauts gather lunar samples. David R. Scott, commander, is on the left; lunar module pilot James B. Irwin is on the right.)

It was placed by David Scott, on 1 August 1971 alongside a commemorative plaque with the names of eight US astronauts and six Soviet cosmonauts.

For decades 'Fallen Astronaut' had pride of place as the first and only artwork on the moon but in February last year it had to share the honour joined by 125 mini-sculptures made by the American artist Jeff Koons.

Paul Van Hoeydonck, born on 8 October 1925 in Anvers, was a prolific artist who also produced paintings, drawings and collages.