Vincent Van Gogh's The Starry Night: Great Art Explained

Summary

Vincent van Gogh's stay at the Saint-Rémy asylum, where he was treated with kindness and allowed to paint, was profoundly influential to his art. Despite his mental health struggles, including episodes of mania and possible bipolar disorder, Van Gogh produced over 150 paintings during his year there, including the iconic 'The Starry Night.' His work from this period reflects a unique style influenced by Japanese art and the vibrant use of color, paving the way for modern art. Contrary to the myth of his obscurity, Van Gogh was recognized by his peers and on the brink of greater success when he tragically took his own life.

Takeaways

• 🎨 Vincent Van Gogh was admitted to a mental asylum in Saint-Rémy, Provence, where he spent over a year and produced an extraordinary body of work.
• 🌃 The asylum at St-Remy, with its smaller size and compassionate treatment, was crucial for Van Gogh's artistic productivity, allowing him to create about one painting every other day.
• 🖌️ Despite his mental health struggles, Van Gogh was highly intelligent, well-read, and multilingual, with a deep knowledge of art and a strong work ethic.
• 🌌 'The Starry Night' was painted during his stay at the asylum, representing a nocturne painted from memory during the day in his studio.
• 🌿 The founder of the St. Remy asylum believed in the healing power of nature and art, which positively influenced Van Gogh's mental state and work.
• 🌈 Van Gogh's later works were characterized by a bright new palette and the influence of Japanese prints, which contributed to the development of his unique style.
• 🎨 His use of impasto technique, with thick applications of paint, became a signature element of his post-impressionist style.
• 🌌 'The Starry Night' is thought to be an amalgamation of night-time and dawn views, with an emphasis on the spiritual significance of the stars for Van Gogh.
• 📚 Van Gogh was influenced by the color theories of Rubens and Delacroix, which he applied to create high-contrast and high-impact works.
• 🔭 The painting's depiction of the night sky shows a remarkable resemblance to modern images of the Whirlpool galaxy, suggesting Van Gogh's artistic intuition was ahead of its time.

Q & A

Where was Vincent Van Gogh admitted to a mental asylum?

Vincent Van Gogh was admitted to a mental asylum outside Saint-Rémy in Provence.

How many patients were there in the asylum at St-Remy?

There were only 41 patients in the small asylum at St-Remy.

What was the original plan for Van Gogh's treatment?

The original plan was for Van Gogh to go to a large, public institution in Marseille with over a thousand patients.

How many paintings did Van Gogh produce during his stay at the asylum?

Van Gogh finished at least 150 paintings during his stay at the asylum.

On which date did Van Gogh paint 'The Starry Night'?

Van Gogh painted 'The Starry Night' on 18th June 1889.

What was the diagnosis given to Van Gogh by the doctors at the asylum?

The doctors at the asylum diagnosed Van Gogh with epilepsy, and it is likely that he also had bipolar disorder and syphilis.

What was the founder of the St. Remy asylum's belief about the environment for mental health?

The founder of the St. Remy asylum believed that being surrounded by nature was good for troubled minds and had planted extensive gardens.

How did Van Gogh's mental health affect his work ethic?

Despite his mental health challenges, Van Gogh's creativity and work ethic were stronger than ever, and he spent every waking hour painting.

What influence did Japanese art have on Van Gogh's work?

Japanese prints influenced Van Gogh's work, leading to the use of blocks of pure color, dark outlines, no shadows, unusual cropping, and distorted perspective.

How did Van Gogh's time in Paris contribute to his later unique style?

Van Gogh's time in Paris exposed him to the influence of impressionists and a younger generation of artists, which laid the foundation for his later unique style.

What was Van Gogh's opinion of 'The Starry Night'?

Van Gogh dismissed 'The Starry Night' as a 'failure'.