Introduction
“Starry Night” is one of the most famous pictures of Vincent van Gogh, which was created when he was in the asylum due to his mental health problems. It is generally thought that it depicts the view from his window there. The work of art has always been regarded as surreal. Many critics claimed that the picture represents a rebellion of the painter, while others suggest that it is a reflection of his unstable mental state. However, when thoroughly analyzed, it becomes clear that the details of this work have hidden meanings.
Main body
The central part of the painting, a spiral, is the first thing attracting attention and making the viewer feel dizzy. This element seems surreal, however, it can be explained by the painter’s interest in astronomy. The use of white and yellow colors in the picture creates a spiral effect, drawing attention to the sky, filled with enormous energy.
Through this background, Van Gogh tried to portray his beliefs about life and death. The use of rich colors, which “possessed emotional, psychological, and moral weight” for the painter make the night look brighter than the day, making the cosmos “living and dynamic” (Richardson et al., 2017, para. 8). The stars and the moon in the sky produce much light, however, the ground is left in the dark.
At the bottom part, there is a bell tower and houses, which Van Gogh recreated with the help of his imagination. The church and bell tower serves as an accent on the mystical power of the sky. The last significant element of the work, connecting the sky and ground, is a thick cypress, which is usually associated with death. Van Gogh used it as a way of obtaining a life beyond earth. “Starry Night” is a painting with a powerful emotional impact due to this meaning, which is considered to be its central idea, leaving the viewer confused and intrigued by this message.
Conclusion
In conclusion, “Starry Night” is one of the most famous works of Vincent van Gogh, which became a subject of debates about his mental condition. Meanwhile, a thorough examination of the painting allows the audience to see deeper meanings hidden in it. Numerous details in the picture make the viewer think about the questions of life and death, which were concerning the painter. It makes “Starry Night” one of the most mysterious and visionary paintings, helping to understand the personality of its author.
Reference
Richardson, B. A., Rusyniak, A. M., Rusyniak, W. G., & Rodning, C.B. (2017). Neuroanatomical interpretation of the painting Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh. Neurosurgery, 81(3), 389-396. Web.