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Starry Night Analysis

Date of Creation:
1889
Height (cm):
73.70
Length (cm):
92.10
Medium:
Oil
Support:
Canvas
Subject:
Landscapes
Characteristics:
Post-impressionism
Framed:
Yes
Art Movement:
Post-Impressionism
Created by:
Vincent van Gogh
Current Location:
New York, New York
Owner:
Museum of Modern Art
Starry Night Analysis Page's Content
Composition
Use of color
Use of Light
Mood, Tone and Emotion
Brushstroke

Starry Night Composition


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Starry Night
Vincent van Gogh
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 Goghs swirling sky directs the viewers 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 Nights 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 Goghs 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.

Starry Night Use of color


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Starry Night
Vincent van Gogh
Van Goghs 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 Goghs 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 Light


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Starry Night
Vincent van Gogh
Van Goghs 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.

Starry Night Mood, Tone and Emotion


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Starry Night
Vincent van Gogh
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 Brushstroke


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Starry Night
Vincent van Gogh
In Starry Night van Goghs unique, thick brush strokes are very much obvious and
its 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.

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