Marcus Chen
The Starry Night, painted by Vincent van Gogh in June 1889, is an oil-on-canvas work depicting the view from the artist's asylum room window at Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. The painting, which has been housed at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City since 1941, is regarded as one of the most recognisable paintings in Western art.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date painted | June 1889 |
| Artist | Vincent van Gogh |
| Medium | Oil on canvas |
| Dimensions | 73.7 x 92.1 cm |
| Collection | Museum of Modern Art, New York City |
| Year acquired by Museum of Modern Art | 1941 |
| Inspiration | View from the artist's asylum room's window at Saint-Rémy-de-Provence |
| Subject | Expressionistic swirls, stars, cypress trees, a village |
| Colours | Yellow, pink, green |
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What You'll Learn
Van Gogh painted it in June 1889
The Starry Night, often simply called Starry Night, is an oil-on-canvas painting by the Dutch Post-Impressionist painter Vincent van Gogh. It was painted in June 1889, depicting the view from the east-facing window of his asylum room at Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, just before sunrise, with the addition of an imaginary village.
Van Gogh described the view that inspired the painting in a letter to his brother, Theo, in the summer of 1889. He wrote of seeing the countryside from his window before sunrise, with "nothing but the morning star, which looked very big". Researchers have determined that Venus, sometimes referred to as the "morning star", was indeed visible at dawn in Provence in the spring of 1889, and was nearly as bright as possible. Thus, the brightest "star" in the painting, to the viewer's right of the cypress tree, is Venus.
Van Gogh made several sketches for the painting, and in a letter dated 9 June 1889, he mentions that he had been working outside for a few days. He described the second of the two landscapes in a letter to his sister Wil on 16 June 1889. Two days later, Vincent wrote to Theo, stating that he had painted "a starry sky".
The painting has been in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York City since 1941, acquired through the Lillie P. Bliss Bequest. It has been described as a "touchstone of modern art" and is regarded as one of the most recognisable paintings in the Western canon.
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The painting depicts the view from his asylum room
The Starry Night, painted by Vincent van Gogh in June 1889, depicts the view from his asylum room at Saint-Rémy-de-Provence in France. The painting is an oil-on-canvas work, measuring 73.7 x 92.1 cm, and is considered a masterpiece of modern art. It is currently housed in the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, where it has been a part of the permanent collection since 1941.
The painting captures the view from the east-facing window of van Gogh's room, just before sunrise. It includes an imaginary village, with the brightest "star" in the painting, representing the planet Venus, shining brightly to the viewer's right. The moon in the painting is also stylized, as it would not have been a waning crescent at the time but rather a waning gibbous, or three-quarters full.
Van Gogh's time at the asylum was marked by periods of productivity interspersed with moods of despair. He was encouraged to paint during his recovery and often depicted the subjects that surrounded him, including his own likeness, views from his studio window, and the surrounding countryside that he explored with a chaperone. The Starry Night is the only nocturne in the series of views from his bedroom window, and it showcases his extended observation of the night sky.
The artist himself was critical of the painting, referring to it as a “failure" in letters to his brother, Theo. However, the work has since become an iconic symbol of individualized expression in modern landscape painting. It is characterized by van Gogh's unique style, with thick outlines, simplified forms, and expressive swirls that dominate the center portion of the painting. The swirling sky has been interpreted in various ways, from religious symbolism to representations of the artist's emotional turmoil.
The Starry Night is a testament to van Gogh's artistic vision and his ability to convey the beauty and mystery of the night sky. By painting the view from his asylum room window, he created a timeless masterpiece that continues to captivate and inspire audiences worldwide.
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It is a nocturne in the series of views from his bedroom window
In May 1889, Vincent van Gogh committed himself to the Saint-Paul-de-Mausole asylum in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, a small town in the south of France. He had suffered a severe breakdown and wished to distance himself from the world and focus on his art. During his time at the asylum, Van Gogh experienced periods of intense productivity, and it was during one of these episodes that he painted 'The Starry Night'. This iconic work was completed in June 1889 and is now considered one of his most famous and beloved paintings. The painting is a nocturne, a term used to describe a work of art that depicts a night scene, usually with a calm and peaceful atmosphere. 'The Starry Night' is part of a series of paintings that Van Gogh created of the view from his bedroom window at the asylum. Through his window, he could see the village of Saint-Rémy under a vibrant sky, and this view inspired him to create a series of paintings exploring this scene at different times of the day and under varying light conditions.
'The Starry Night' is a masterpiece of Post-Impressionist art and is renowned for its vibrant colors and expressive brushwork. The painting depicts a night sky filled with swirling clouds and bright stars, towering cypress trees, and a quiet village bathed in a soft, glowing light. The scene is one of beauty and tranquility, yet it also conveys a sense of Van Gogh's inner turmoil and emotional state at the time. The intense hues and dynamic brushstrokes reflect the artist's passion and expressive style, while the peaceful village scene suggests a sense of calm and serenity. This juxtaposition of emotional intensity and peacefulness makes 'The Starry Night' a powerful and unique work of art.
As a nocturne, 'The Starry Night' is part of a long tradition of artists depicting night scenes, but Van Gogh's unique style and interpretation set this painting apart. He was inspired by the work of other artists, such as Rembrandt and Millet, who also explored nocturnal scenes in their work. However, Van Gogh's use of color and his expressive brushwork were entirely his own, and 'The Starry Night' is now recognized as a defining work of his artistic career. The painting's influence can be seen in the work of later artists, and it continues to captivate and inspire audiences today.
The series of paintings that 'The Starry Night' belongs to provides a fascinating insight into Van Gogh's artistic process and his exploration of this particular view. Each painting in the series offers a slightly different interpretation of the scene, with varying colors, lighting, and moods. Together, they showcase the artist's incredible skill in capturing the beauty of the landscape at different times of the day and under different atmospheric conditions. Through these paintings, Van Gogh was able to express not only the beauty he saw in the world around him but also his own emotional journey and state of mind during his time at the asylum.
'The Starry Night' has become an enduring symbol of Van Gogh's artistic genius and a testament to his unique vision and style. Its creation in the peaceful setting of Saint-Rémy provided a sanctuary for the artist, allowing him to focus on his passion and create some of his most renowned works. The painting's beauty and expressive power continue to captivate audiences, ensuring its place as one of the most iconic and beloved works of art in the world. This nocturne is a shining example of Van Gogh's ability to convey emotion and find beauty in the simplest of subjects, and it remains a source of inspiration for artists and art lovers alike.
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The painting is a mix of reality and imagination
Vincent van Gogh's "Starry Night" is a painting that combines reality and imagination. Created in June 1889, it depicts the view from the artist's asylum room window at Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, France, just before sunrise. Van Gogh voluntarily admitted himself to the Saint-Paul-de-Mausole asylum, a former monastery, on May 8, 1889, following a mental breakdown and self-mutilation.
Secondly, the village in the painting is an imaginary addition, based on sketches rather than the actual landscape seen from the asylum. It has been suggested that the church's spire in the village may be an amalgamation of several different church spires that Van Gogh had depicted earlier during his time in the Netherlands.
Thirdly, the painting's swirling sky has been interpreted in various ways. Some art historians link it to contemporary astronomical discoveries, while others see it as a reflection of Van Gogh's personal struggles and emotional turmoil. The expressionistic swirls may also be a result of Van Gogh's arguments with fellow painters Bernard and Paul Gauguin, who preferred painting "abstractions" or "de tête" (conceived in the imagination), while Van Gogh typically preferred painting from nature.
Finally, it is assumed that Van Gogh composed "Starry Night" using elements of previously completed works and aspects from imagination and memory. He had a sweeping view of the Alpilles mountain range from his private room, but his small studio for painting looked out onto the asylum's garden. Therefore, it is believed that he drew upon his imagination and memory of the mountain range to create the night landscape in "Starry Night".
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It is regarded as one of the most recognisable paintings in the Western canon
"Starry Night" is the name commonly given to an oil-on-canvas painting by the Dutch Post-Impressionist painter Vincent van Gogh, which he created in June 1889. The painting depicts the view from the east-facing window of his asylum room at Saint-Paul-de-Mausole, a monastery-turned-asylum in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, just before sunrise. It is regarded as one of the most recognisable paintings in the Western canon.
Van Gogh was devoted to working from nature or illustrations, or outside in front of the landscape he was depicting. However, the idea of painting an invented scene from his imagination troubled him. In a letter to his brother Theo, van Gogh referred to "Starry Night" as a failure, and as a study of night or night effect. Theo, a manager of a Parisian art gallery and a connoisseur of contemporary art, was also unimpressed by the painting, believing that the search for style took away from the sentiment of the piece.
Despite initial reactions, "Starry Night" has become one of van Gogh's most famous works and a foundational image for Expressionism. The painting's swirling sky, bold colours, and thickly layered brushstrokes are thought to express the artist's emotional turmoil and have been described as a touchstone of modern art. The painting has been interpreted in various ways, from religious symbolism to representations of van Gogh's personal struggles.
The painting has been in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City since 1941, although it is rarely loaned out. The piece was not well-known when MoMA first acquired it, but it has since become one of the most recognisable artworks in history.
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Frequently asked questions
Vincent van Gogh started painting 'The Starry Night' in June 1889.
Van Gogh painted 'The Starry Night' while he was at the Saint-Paul-de-Mausole asylum near Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, France.
Van Gogh was inspired to paint 'The Starry Night' by the view from the east-facing window of his asylum room. He described the view in a letter to his brother, Theo, in the summer of 1889.
'The Starry Night' is regarded as one of the most recognizable paintings in the Western canon and has been described as a "touchstone of modern art". It is also one of Van Gogh's most celebrated works and has been the subject of various interpretations, ranging from religious symbolism to representations of the artist's emotional turmoil.
