the starry night painting by vincent gogh in 1889

1. Starry Night
Made by
SHRIL D SONI
Analysis
Vincent van Gogh

2. Starry Night
cypress

3. Date of Creation:- 1889
Length(cm):92.10
Height (cm):73.70
Medium:Oil
Support: Canvas
Subject: Landscapes
Characteristics: Post-impressionism
Framed: Yes
Art Movement: Post-Impressionism
Created by: Vincent van Gogh
Current Location: New York

4. Starry Night Composition
The night sky depicted by van Gogh in the Starry Night painting is brimming with whirling clouds, shining stars, and a
bright crescent moon. The setting is one that viewers can relate to and van Gogh´s swirling sky directs the viewer´s
eye around the painting, with spacing between the stars and the curving contours creating a dot-to-dot effect. These
internal elements ensure fluidity and such contours were important for the artist even though they were becoming
less significant for other Impressionists. Thus Starry Night´s composition was distinct from the Impressionist
technique of the 19th century.
The artist was aware that his Starry Night composition was somewhat surreal and stylized and in a letter to his brother
he even referred to "exaggerations in terms of composition. " The vivid style chosen by van Gogh was unusual - he
chose lines to portray this night scene when silhouettes would have been a more obvious choice.
In Starry Night contoured forms are a means of expression and they are used to convey emotion. Many feel that van
Gogh´s turbulent quest to overcome his illness is reflected in the dimness of the night sky. The village is painted with
dark colors but the brightly lit windows create a sense of comfort. The village is peaceful in comparison to the dramatic
night sky and the silence of the night can almost be felt in Starry Night. The steeple dominates the village and
symbolizes unity in the town. In terms of composition, the church steeple gives an impression of size and isolation.
In the left foreground is a curvy cypress tree which is typically associated with mourning. It is painted in the same way
as the sky with fluid lines which enhances the flow of the Starry Night painting well as its easiness on the eye

5. Van Gogh´s choice of color in Starry Night has been much debated, particularly the dominance of yellow in
this and other late works. Some believe van Gogh may have been suffering from lead poisoning or a type
of brain disease and that this explains his strange use of color in later paintings.
Van Gogh's use of white and yellow creates a spiral effect and draws attention to the sky. Vertical lines
such as the cypress tree and church tower softly break up the composition without retracting from the
powerful night sky depicted in Starry Night.
Vincent van Gogh´s choice of dark blues and greens were complemented with touches of mint green
showing the reflection of the moon. The buildings in the centre of the painting are small blocks of yellows,
oranges, and greens with a dash of red to the left of the church. The dominance of blue in Starry Night is
balanced by the orange of the night sky elements.
Van Gogh paints the rich colors of the night and this corresponds with the true character of this Starry
Night, whereby colors are used to suggest emotion.
Starry Night Use of color

6. Starry Night Use of Light
Van Gogh´s passion for nighttime is evident in the Starry Night painting, where the
powerful sky sits above the quiet town. It seems that van Gogh is contrasting life
and death with luminous stars and a gloomy, peaceful village. The main light
sources are the bright stars and crescent moon.

7. There are various interpretations of Starry Night and one is that this canvas depicts hope. It seems that
van Gogh was showing that even with a dark night such as this it is still possible to see light in the windows
of the houses. Furthermore, with shining stars filling the sky, there is always light to guide you. It seems
that van Gogh was finally being cured of his illness and had essentially found his heaven. He also knew
that in death he would be at peace and further portrays this by using bold colors in the Starry Night
painting.
In a letter to his brother, Theo, van Gogh comments: "I should not be surprised if you liked the Starry Night
and the Ploughed Fields, there is a greater quiet about them than in the other canvases. " Later in the letter
he makes reference to Leo Tolstoys book My Religion and its lack of belief in resurrection. Such fleeting
mentions of religion echoed van Goghs feelings towards the subject at this time; he could neither forget it
nor totally accept it. Despite this, his use of the word 'quiet' and reference to Tolstoys book indicates that
the night sky made him feel calm and brought to mind eternity.
Starry Night shows the vast power of nature and the church spire and cypress tree - representing man and
nature - both point to the heavens.
Starry Night Mood, Tone and Emotion

8. In Starry Night van Gogh´s unique, thick brush strokes are very much
obvious and it´s possible that his severe attacks further dramatized his
brush work. However, there is a consistency to his technique that adds
even more depth as well as a rich texture to this work of art.
Starry Night Brushstroke

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