Leo Martínez
The Starry Night, painted by Dutch Post-Impressionist painter Vincent van Gogh, is regarded as one of the most recognizable paintings in the Western canon. Van Gogh painted the view from his east-facing window in the asylum 21 times, but Starry Night is the only nocturne in the series. The painting is influenced by the view from his asylum room at Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, just before sunrise, with the addition of an imaginary village. Van Gogh's letters to his brother, Theo, reveal his thoughts on the painting, where he described the stars as more than simple white dots, instead appearing yellow, pink, or green. Researchers have also determined that the brightest star in the painting is Venus, confirming the influence of contemporary astronomical discoveries on Van Gogh's work.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | June 1889 |
| Location | Saint-Paul-de-Mausole asylum, Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, France |
| Medium | Oil on canvas |
| Subject | View from the artist's asylum room window at night |
| Style | Expressionistic swirls, thick outlines, simplified forms |
| Colour | Yellow, pink, green |
| Symbolism | Religious, emotional turmoil, personal struggles, apocalypse |
| Astronomical influences | Discovery of Venus, the "morning star" |
| Artistic influences | Medieval woodcuts, astronomer William Parsons' drawing of the Whirlpool Galaxy |
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What You'll Learn
The view from his asylum bedroom window
The Starry Night, painted in June 1889, was inspired by the view from Vincent van Gogh's bedroom window at the Saint-Paul-de-Mausole asylum in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, France. The painting depicts the view from the artist's east-facing window, just before sunrise, with the addition of an imaginary village.
Van Gogh had a sweeping view of the Alpilles mountain range from his private room at the asylum. He was also given a small studio for painting, which had a view of the asylum's garden. It is believed that Van Gogh composed The Starry Night using elements from a few previously completed works stored in his studio, as well as aspects from imagination and memory.
Van Gogh was limited to painting the subjects that surrounded him, including his own likeness, views outside his studio window, and the surrounding countryside that he could visit with a chaperone. He wrote to his brother Theo about the view from his window, describing a magnificent view of the countryside and the morning star very early one morning in the spring of 1889. He also wrote about the sunrise, saying, "Through the iron-barred window, I can make out a square of wheat in an enclosure, above which in the morning I see the sunrise in its glory."
The painting includes an exaggerated depiction of Venus, which was visible at dawn in Provence in the spring of 1889 and was nearly as bright as possible. The Moon in the painting is also stylized, as astronomical records indicate that it was waning gibbous at the time, not a waning crescent as depicted.
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His preference for painting from observation
Vincent van Gogh was an artist who preferred to paint from observation. While at the asylum, he painted during bursts of productivity that alternated with moods of despair. Limited to the subjects that surrounded him, van Gogh's paintings included views outside his studio window and the surrounding countryside that he could visit with a chaperone.
Van Gogh's preference for painting from observation is evident in his creation of "Starry Night." The painting depicts the view outside his sanatorium room window at night, although it was painted from memory during the day. In a letter to his brother, Theo, van Gogh described the view he observed from his window:
> "This morning I saw the countryside from my window a long time before sunrise with nothing but the morning star, which looked very big."
Researchers have determined that Venus, also known as the "morning star," was indeed visible at dawn in Provence in the spring of 1889 and was nearly as bright as depicted in the painting.
Van Gogh's dedication to working from observation is further highlighted in his letter to Émile Bernard, where he expresses his preference for painting from nature rather than "abstractions" or paintings conceived in the imagination. He writes:
> "When Gauguin was in Arles, I once or twice allowed myself to be led astray into abstraction, as you know... But that was a delusion, dear friend, and one soon comes up against a brick wall... And yet, once again I allowed myself to be led astray into reaching for stars that are too big—another failure—and I have had my fill of that."
Van Gogh's preference for painting from observation influenced his artistic process, as he sought to capture the sweeping view from his asylum room window, including the surrounding countryside and the night sky with its bright stars and swirling sky.
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His mental health struggles
Vincent van Gogh was admitted to the Saint-Paul-de-Mausole asylum in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, France, on May 8, 1889, following a mental breakdown and self-mutilation. During his time at the asylum, van Gogh was much more creative, and his work ethic was stronger than ever. He painted during bursts of productivity that alternated with moods of despair.
Van Gogh's mental health struggles are well-documented. He was often referred to as "the Red-headed Madman" due to his erratic behaviour. He suffered from bipolar disorder and had suicidal thoughts. In a letter to his brother, Theo, van Gogh wrote about the spots of light in the firmament and the black spots on the map of France, alluding to death.
Van Gogh's mental health struggles also influenced his artistic style. He preferred to work from observation, but his mental health struggles limited him to the subjects that surrounded him in the asylum, such as his own likeness, views outside his studio window, and the surrounding countryside. He also had to paint the "Starry Night" scene from memory, as he was not allowed to paint in his bedroom.
The painting itself is a reflection of van Gogh's emotional turmoil. The swirling sky has been interpreted as a representation of his personal struggles, with the expressive swirls dominating the upper center portion of the painting. The bright stars and colours in the painting may also reflect van Gogh's experience of the night as more colourful than the day, as he wrote in a letter to his sister, Willemien.
Overall, van Gogh's mental health struggles were a significant influence on his work, and "Starry Night" is a powerful example of how he channelled his emotions into his art.
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The work of astronomer William Parsons
The Starry Night, painted by Vincent van Gogh in 1889, is considered a masterpiece of Post-Impressionism, with its vibrant colours and emotive brushwork. The painting depicts the view from the artist's asylum room window at Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, France, just before sunrise. The sweeping view includes the diagonal line of the low rolling hills of the Alpilles mountains, with the village in the foreground being an imaginary addition. The celestial elements of the painting include the bright morning star, Venus, and the moon, which has been stylized and is not astronomically accurate.
The influence of astronomer William Parsons on Van Gogh's Starry Night is notable. According to Michael Benson's book, Cosmographics, the distinctive swirls in the sky of the painting were likely inspired by Parsons' 19th-century scientific illustration of the Whirlpool Galaxy. This illustration, created with a powerful telescope, caused a sensation in the United Kingdom and appeared in a French book popularizing astronomy by Camille Flammarion. The resemblance between Parsons' drawing and Van Gogh's spiraling stars in Starry Night is striking, suggesting a direct influence on the artist's most famous depiction of the night sky.
Parsons, the Earl of Rosse, created the Whirlpool Galaxy illustration in 1845, using a telescope he built himself. This illustration was one of the first depictions of a galaxy beyond the Milky Way, and it captivated the imagination of astronomers and artists alike. The illustration's impact on Van Gogh's work demonstrates the artist's interest in scientific advancements and the contemporary understanding of the universe.
Van Gogh's Starry Night reflects his extended observation of the night sky. After relocating from Paris to rural areas in southern France, Van Gogh had more opportunities to contemplate the stars without the interference of city street lights. This shift in environment and the influence of Parsons' astronomical illustration combined to inspire the iconic swirls and spirals of the stars in Starry Night, making it a unique and powerful expression of the artist's vision.
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His brother, Theo, and their differing views on the painting
The Dutch Post-Impressionist painter Vincent van Gogh created "The Starry Night", an oil-on-canvas painting, in June 1889. It depicts 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. The painting has been described as a touchstone of modern art and is regarded as one of the most recognisable paintings in Western art.
Vincent and Theo van Gogh's differing views on "The Starry Night"
Vincent van Gogh and his brother, Theo van Gogh, had differing views on "The Starry Night". While Vincent van Gogh was critical of the painting, referring to it as a "'failure' in letters to his brother, Theo took a more nuanced stance.
In his letters to Theo, Vincent expressed his artistic struggles and personal turmoil. He described the challenges of painting a night landscape and his attempts to capture the beauty of the night sky, with stars appearing in bursts of yellow, pink, or green, rather than simple white dots on black. Vincent's letters reveal his ambivalence about working from his imagination, and he ultimately regarded "The Starry Night" as a failure.
On the other hand, Theo, who was also an art dealer, provided critical feedback on the painting. In a letter to Vincent dated 22 October 1889, Theo referred to the pictorial elements of the painting, acknowledging the new direction Vincent was taking: "I sense what preoccupies you in the new canvases like the village in the moonlight". Theo recognised the artistic value of the work and appreciated Vincent's expressive style.
However, Theo also indicated that he felt the painting favoured style over substance. This feedback reflects his understanding of the art market and his desire to support his brother's career. Theo's perspective on "The Starry Night" demonstrates his role as not just a supportive brother but also a critical confidant who provided valuable insights to Vincent.
After Vincent's death, Theo inherited "The Starry Night". Theo's widow, Jo, later sold it, and it eventually made its way into the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York City in 1941, where it remains a beloved masterpiece.
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Frequently asked questions
Van Gogh was inspired by the view from his asylum room window at Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. The painting depicts the landscape outside his window at night, though it was painted from memory during the day.
Van Gogh was experimenting with a style inspired by medieval woodcuts, with their thick outlines and simplified forms. He was also influenced by the work of his friends Bernard and Gauguin.
Starry Night has been subject to various interpretations, including religious symbolism and representations of Van Gogh’s emotional turmoil. Some art historians link the swirling sky to contemporary astronomical discoveries, while others see it as an expression of Van Gogh’s personal struggles.
Starry Night depicts a sweeping view of the landscape outside Van Gogh's asylum room window, including a village, a cypress tree, and a group of olive trees. The painting is characterised by Van Gogh's use of swirling brushstrokes and bright colours to depict the night sky.
