STARRY NIGHT BY VINCENT VAN GOGH

Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh

Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh

Starry Night is one of the paintings by Vincent van Gogh who has risen to the extent of artistic achievements. Although Van Gogh sold only one painting in his life? the aftermath of his work is enormous. Starry Night is one of the most famous painting in modern culture as well as being one of the mainly replicated and sought after prints. From Don McLean's song 'Starry? Starry Night' (Based on the Painting) ? to the endless number of merchandise products sporting this image? it is nearly impossible to shy away from this amazing painting. (Albert 2005)

One may start to question on the features within the painting that are responsible for its ever growing popularity. There are actually several main aspects that intrigue those who view this image? and each factor affects each individual differently.

There is the night sky filled with swirling clouds? stars ablaze with their own luminescence? and a bright cresset moon. Although the features are exaggerated? this is a scene we can all relate to? and also one that most individuals feel comfortable and at ease with. This sky keeps the viewer's eyes moving about the painting? following the curves and creating a visual dot to dot with the stars. This movement keeps the onlooker caught up in the painting where as the other factors take hold.

Figure 1: Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh

Underneath the rolling hills of the horizon fall a small village. There is a peaceful essence flowing from the structures. Perhaps the cool dark combination of colors and the burning windows highlights the memories of our own warm childhood years which were full of imagination of what exists in the night and dark starry skies. The center point of the town is the tall steeple of the church? reigning largely over the smaller buildings. This steeple casts down a sense of stability onto the town? and also creates a sense of size and seclusion. The center part shows the village of Saint-Rémy under a swirling sky? in a view from the asylum towards north. The Alpilles far to the right fit to this view? but there is little rapport of the actual scene with the intermediary hills which seem to be derived from a different part of the surroundings? south of the asylum. The cypress tree which are made on the left added into the composition. Of note? is the fact van Gogh had already? during his time in Arles? repositioned Ursa Major from the north to the south in his painting Starry Night Over the Rhone. (Albert 2005)

To the left of the painting there is a massive dark structure that develops an even greater sense of size and isolation. This arrangement is superb when compared to the scale of other matter in the painting. The curving lines mirror made for the sky makes the sensation of depth in the painting. This arrangement also permits the viewer to understand ...