An Analysis on Vincent Van Gogh’s Starry Night by Melanie Lee Essay Example

if he struggled to contain them. The immense size of the moon and stars gives the impression that the sky is about to collapse upon us. The cypress bush, typically a solemn plant associated with funerals, takes on a sinister quality as it boldly appears in the forefront of the painting. Van Gogh seems to have created his own version of reality, highlighting objects that held personal significance to him, even if it meant distorting perspectives.

The painting appears to be full of life, with the fluid brushstrokes creating a sense of movement. The night sky especially conveys a vibrant energy, with its explosive dynamism. It gives the impression of galaxies in motion, as if the stars could descend upon the quiet town at any moment. The stars and sky exude a powerful emotional intensity, as strokes and colors merge together to form a swirling mist in the center.

The cypress tree, however, appears to diminish the brightness of the night sky with its twisting, dark leaves that extend up the left side of the painting. Its serpentine shape is unusual compared to the rest of the artwork and disrupts the overall balance, preventing it from being a truly magical portrayal of a starry night. Dondis explains that people's eyes tend to prefer the lower left area of their visual field, and it appears that Van Gogh intentionally placed the cypress bush in a prominent position.

A possible interpretation is that the bush symbolized the inner turmoil he was experiencing. This inner turmoil may have expressed his passionate intensity for life. In contrast, the little houses appear silent. Their lights are

off and everyone is asleep, unaware of the vibrant night sky and the twisting cypress bush in front of them. This indicates a sense of alienation and ignorance. The sleepy village represents the rest of the world, ignorant of Van Gogh's intense emotions and suffering at that time.

The houses may seem distant even though they are in the foreground, which might explain why they appear so far away. Starry Night remains a mysterious work to art critics and students alike, with many different interpretations. Because Van Gogh's intention behind the painting is unknown, various codes are used to decipher its meaning. For example, one critic viewed it as a religious piece illustrating a story from the Bible.

In Genesis, Joseph dreams of eleven stars, the sun, and moon (which are combined here) symbolizing his brothers and parents bowing down to him. Another scholar sees this painting as a convergence of historical forces, during a time when people were captivated by astronomy and astrology, including authors like Jules Verne who wrote about going to the moon. Personally, I have always seen him as a tragic artist filled with angst who desired to contribute greatly to humanity (once an evangelist), but was continually rejected by society.

The painting conveys the artist's adoration for God's beautiful creations, while also evoking a sense of loneliness and feeling that his perception of the world was unique. To fully grasp Van Gogh's style in Starry Night, it is necessary to consider the broader context. Van Gogh belonged to the esteemed group of postimpressionist artists, such as Cezanne and Gauguin. Postimpressionism emerged as a response to impressionism, rejecting

the belief that art should strictly represent reality with natural colors and lighting.

Postimpressionists had the belief that art should not imitate form, but rather establish form. Thus, artists from this era approached the visual world subjectively, painting it through their own artistic perceptions. In the words of Van Gogh, "We might be able to create a nature more stimulating and soothing than what we can observe in a single moment of reality." As a result, postimpressionist artists did not adhere to any specific style; instead, their artworks manifested their distinct personalities and viewpoints.

Van Gogh's works, like Starry Night, appeared to convey intense emotions. He explained to his brother Theo that he preferred using colors in a non-realistic manner to express himself more forcefully. He particularly enjoyed painting landscapes that mirrored his own emotions and soul. In a sense, he broke free from traditional artistic limitations, resulting in a feeling of liberation. Starry Night embodies Van Gogh's distinctive style and expression, profoundly influencing modern art.