Introduction
Art is a form of expressing emotions, stories, and history, which is why it has been praised for centuries. Sculpture, paintings, and music have been among the most sophisticated ways to convey messages and share pieces of wisdom, touching the souls of the audience. Most often, songs and pieces of art can even be interconnected, with one influencing another. One instance is the painting The Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh, inspiring the artist Don McLean to write a song, Vincent. Although created centuries apart, the works are interconnected, with one influencing the other, and themes of tranquility, nature, and melancholic tone characterize both pieces.
The Power of Art
Art is integral to every individual’s life since it moves, inspires, and even changes people. One can feel its power directly by creating art or by being an observer of a masterpiece. As Kawka (347) said, art can “stimulate engagement in life’s deepest questions, arouse our sensory embodiment, activate experiences.” In other words, any form of artistic creation can convey complex emotions and ideas that engage the audience. Therefore, the beauty and power of art lie not only in its ability to share the message but also in its ability to invoke emotions in the observer.
The Starry Night
Vincent van Gogh is among the most well-known post-impressionist painters. Throughout his life, the man painted works, many of which were regarded as masterpieces. One such work is The Starry Night, which depicts the night sky and “the relatively calm village” through “agitated, expressionistic swirling brushstrokes” and darker colors of brown and grey (Kanas 460).
These colors and techniques show the depth of emotions and calmness. It is believed that “each of his brush strokes screamed out isolation,” and the painting serves as a way to cope with mental instability (Gupta 850). Thus, while focusing on nature, the message of the painting is deeper.
Vincent
The painting and the story of Vincent van Gogh inspired an artist from the twentieth century, Don McLean. The singer released his song, Vincent, in the early 1970s, a beautiful tribute to the painter and his legacy (McLean). The given piece of art focuses not only on the techniques employed by the painter but also on his experiences. Despite being created centuries apart, both works have several points of correlation.
Common Themes
Serenity of Nature
One theme permeates both pieces of art, which is the theme of nature and tranquility. In the painting, Vincent van Gogh depicts the beauty of nature and the calmness of the night, emphasizing the clear sky and a small village (Whiting 11). One can see how the painter uses several colors, such as green, yellow, blue, and black, that slowly transition into darker or lighter hues. To make the painting more appealing, Van Gogh used circling and sharp motions, focusing on the forces of nature (Van Gogh-Bonger and Gayford 12). Through this, the painter accentuates the perfection of nature in its simplicity.
Similarly, Don McLean concentrated on specific details of the surrounding world. The artist shares his observations of the “shadows on the hills” and “swirling clouds in violet haze” (McLean line 17). By employing emotive language and elements, such as imagery, the artist conveys appreciation for the painter’s talent. The artistic vision of McLean emphasizes van Gogh’s ability to share his perceptions of nature. Therefore, the correlation between both works lies in the ability to evoke emotions of gratitude for the beauty of nature.
Melancholy
Moreover, both works convey a melancholic tone that adds to the theme of tranquility and nature. Vincent van Gogh created his masterpiece through swirling brushstrokes and applied darker hues. Through observing a calm night sky and a secluded village, one can feel the sadness expressed by the author (Bailey 166).
Likewise, the singer Don McLean also uses a melancholic tone in his song. On the one hand, the lyrics convey emotions, focusing on Vincent van Gogh’s story and how he “suffered for [his] sanity” (McLean line 11). On the other hand, a slow tempo of guitar play contributes to the tone. Therefore, both pieces are correlated in terms of the tone the authors chose.
Conclusion
Despite being created hundreds of years apart, the two pieces are connected, with themes of peace, nature, and melancholy tones resonating. Both works of art share the same overarching subject of peace and nature. In his paintings, Vincent van Gogh emphasizes the bright sky and small village while capturing nature’s beauty and the night’s serenity. Similarly, McLean’s creative perspective highlights van Gogh’s capacity to communicate his interpretations of nature.
Additionally, the melancholy undertone in both pieces adds to the theme of peace and nature. Vincent van Gogh’s masterpiece is a result of swirling brushstrokes and the use of deeper colors. Similarly, Don McLean uses a depressing tone in his song, using the slow guitar pace and lyrics. Thus, both works utilize similar techniques and approaches.
Works Cited
Bailey, Martin. Starry Night: Van Gogh at the Asylum. White Lion Publishing, 2018.
Gupta, Surbhi. “Vincent Van Gogh Felt Deeply; Felt Tenderly.” The International Journal of Indian Psychology, vol. 7, no. 1, 2019, pp. 848-852. Web.
Kanas, Nick. “Celestial Images in Artistic Paintings.” Star Maps: History, Artistry, and Cartography, Springer Nature, 2019, pp. 459-501.
Kawka, Marta. “The Tower of Experience: The Integral Ascent of Arts Knowing.” International Journal of Education through Art, vol. 18, no. 3, 2022, pp. 347-357. Web.
McLean, Don. “Vincent (Starry Starry Night).” American Pie, 1971. Genius, Web.
Van Gogh-Bonger, Jo, and Martin Gayford. A Memoir of Vincent Van Gogh. Getty Publications, 2018.
Whiting, Jim. Vincent van Gogh. Mitchell Lane, 2019.