Famous Works: Analysis of "Starry Night" by van Gogh

Vincent van Gogh's (1853 - 1890) "Starry Night" is considered one of his most important works by many experts today. The painting, created in 1889, comprehensively represents the oeuvre of the Dutch painter. Moreover, it is considered one of the most important works of Impressionism and landscape painting in general.

During his lifetime, however, Van Gogh himself did not consider it to be one of his most outstanding works. Rather, he viewed it merely as a sort of sketch or preliminary study. Perhaps it was this assessment by the master himself that led it to disappear from public view for around 50 years. It was not until 1941 that it was sold from private ownership to the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Since then, the 73.7 cm x 92.1 cm painting has been part of the collection of the renowned art museum and remains one of its major crowd-pullers.

Background: Van Gogh Painted "Starry Night" in a Sanatorium

Vincent van Gogh painted the significant artwork "Starry Night" in his last year of life under special circumstances. In May 1889, he was admitted to a psychiatric clinic in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence in southern France. His mental state had already deteriorated considerably in the months leading up to this. It had been just six months since he had cut off part of his ear in a quarrel with Paul Gauguin. In the Saint-Paul-de-Mausole clinic, he hoped for peace and recovery.

His brother Theo supplied him with paints and canvases, enabling him to continue painting. He was allocated his own studio space within the sanatorium, where he created numerous works - including the artwork "Starry Night". However, the depicted scene does not correspond to the actual view from the clinic building of the starry sky and the landscape. In fact, van Gogh did not have the opportunity to paint the painting based on what he saw. Neither from his room nor his studio did he have a clear view of the landscape as shown in his painting. In addition, he was initially not allowed to leave the clinic premises to paint in the open air. Therefore, it is assumed today that he composed the painting from fragments of his memory.

Description of "Starry Night": Van Gogh Made the Sky the Main protagonist

The work reflects van Gogh's fascination with the nighttime atmosphere. He even believed that the colours were much more intense at night than during the day. Nevertheless, he painted only a few pictures in which he gave the nocturnal mood as much space as in the "Starry Night".

At the beginning of every analysis of van Gogh's Starry Night is the sky. He dedicated over two-thirds of the painting to cloud formations, the moon, and the stars. Particularly striking here are the clouds that cover the sky in large swirls. They resemble high waves in a stormy sea. The dynamic impression of the painting is supported by the technique that van Gogh applied in the "Starry Night". He applied the oil colours with his typical short brushstrokes on the canvas. In this way, he set the short monochrome lines in motion with an even rhythm.

Van Gogh paid as much attention to the moon and the numerous stars as he did to the clouds. Painting these celestial bodies was considered a particular challenge. He saw in them far more than just white dots in the dark sky. Instead, he identified different shades of colour in them, ranging from yellow to green and blue to shades of red. Accordingly, he also carefully staged the stars in this painting. He defined their centres in yellow, orange, and white. Around them, he painted extensive, circular, light-coloured halos.

Just as van Gogh did not adhere to the real firmament when painting the sky, he also blended fantasy and reality in the landscape in the lower third of the painting. He departed from the typical architecture of southern France in all the buildings. He also arranged the houses of the village differently. Apparently, van Gogh also had to improvise with the church. He painted the classicist structure without its original bell tower and without the characteristic large dome.

The mountain ranges on the right-hand edge of the painting, however, correspond to the real landscape. The cypresses that van Gogh placed in the foreground of the painting are common in this region. He painted them in dark green and brown, making them appear as great flames rising. The entire scene appears - for a painting of the night - very well illuminated. Van Gogh painted the sky predominantly in light blue tones as well as white and yellow. However, he hardly ever used dark blue or black, which are typical colours of the night.

What Did Van Gogh Want to Express With This Painting? "Starry Night" and Its Interpretations

It is not known what van Gogh wanted to express with the painting. Consequently, many theories are circulating regarding the possible meaning of the work "Starry Night". Both the overall motif and individual elements of the painting as well as van Gogh's biography have been analysed.

Interpretations that view the artwork "Starry Night" as direct evidence of his desolate mental state are particularly common. Many elements of the painting suggest his life crisis and suffering. The dynamic sky, for example, is frequently interpreted as a symbol of his troubled state of mind. The contrast between the turbulent cloud formations and the serene landscape can also be seen as an indication of his inner turmoil.

The bright and large moon could also be a clue to van Gogh's thoughts. It is considered a symbol of change and transformation, but also a sign of hope and redemption. The very prominently placed cypress tree also sparks the imagination. It has many different meanings throughout human history but is often associated with the afterlife and mourning, but also with the immortality of life.

Ultimately, Every Interpretation Remains Speculative

In his painting, Van Gogh obviously played with strong contrasts such as light and dark as well as calm and unrest. However, drawing an immediate connection between psyche and work is at least debatable among art experts. There is no documented medical diagnosis of his actual health. Furthermore, van Gogh was not necessarily known for directly expressing his emotions in his paintings. The majority of his works, with their bright colours and calm scenes, appear more life-affirming than depressive and despairing.

However, the true meaning of "Starry Night" will likely remain a mystery forever.