Starry Night (Vincent Van Gough)?

Question

Im doing a questionaire for college and i need to know what peoples personal opinions are on the Vincent Van Gough oil painting 'Starry Night' what do you think of it???

Also, why do you think it is such a successful piece of art????

Answer 1

I think it's a beautiful work of art. I adore the sky in the painting. The mountain-like form in the foreground always seemed a bit ominous to me though. However, I love the way Van Gogh uses such heavy brush strokes. You can follow the movement of his hand completely. I also love the way the paint is laid on so thickly that it adds a textural element as well.

Because I have a copy of it hanging in my home, my daughter, who is a toddler, is familiar with the piece as well, knows that it is called Starry Night, and knows that the painter's name is Van Gogh. She thinks that the yellow swirls are a lot of suns in the sky. I cannot wait to take her to an art museum!

Answer 2

I believe that this is one of the most recognizable works of art ever. To me the swirling of the sky evokes thoughts of the deep ocean, which too looks like a starry sky in the right conditions. I think the colors evoke emotion in people and one day you can see it and it feels sad, the next day, happy, the next calming and so on.
If I remember right VanGogh was in an insane asylum when he made this piece which adds a little more to your thoughts as the sky can be interpreted as turbulent.
Once again, I conclude that behind every brilliant artist/singer/writer/comedian, etc......... Is a mad man.

Hope this helps.

BeeJee
I appreciate your comments and actually totally agree. I can't appreciate a lot of stuff I see but I do respect it as it may fit someone else's taste completely. As for Jackson Pollock. In some ways his work is a hard pill to swallow, especially after seeing his technique. It is an easy argument that a 5-year old could make paintings that you would not know if it were a Pollock or not. I guess the biggest questions from the critic focus on Pollock's mania, depression and addiction and if in anyway those could influence his "drip". Personally I don't think a drip can be largely influenced by much other than gravity but I am a big believer in the fact that artists in general (photographers/painters/writers/poets/comedians) any creative type people I guess. I know personally it's true but I do feel behind all the greatness in every one of those artists there is most likely some turmoil, strife or inner suffering. I think of what my work would be if all the things I have seen (especially bad things) were not influencing.

As for VanGoh, if is actually his technique in my opinion that makes his paintings so captivating. Zoom in close and see how instead of actually using individual colors he actually lays stroke by stroke to create the color ie: Instead of brushing on a stroke of green, he actually placed small strokes one yellow and one blow right up against each other so when seen from proper distance your eye and brain blend them and create the green. Just one of my reasons for liking him although I am not a huge fan of his era or style. :)
Have a great day.,

Answer 3

Maybe I have a streak of inhibition or paranoia but I can't seem to appreciate some of what I see called great art.

"Starry Night" is one example. Jackson Pollock's 'drip' masterpieces are others.

When I see one of these I think I could be an artist and that is my clue that says "This ain't art".

Answer 4

Wow.....I actually think that you have a great idea for a sleeve. I would pick an artist that specializes in reproductions. Or course something designed to go on a flat canvas will have to be altered to fit a rounded surface like your arm but that is why you get the best artist you can find good luck

Answer 5

This is actually one of my favorite works of art. I have a copy hanging in my upstairs hallway. I think what makes the painting so great is the colors VanGogh used and the fact that he was in an asylum at the time makes me wonder what the colors really represent. Angst, regret, fear, despair. Whatever it means, it will always be my favorite.

Answer 6

It could almost be a Christmas painting-a small town in a valley-far off. A dreamer on a hill looking over the town-and the fact its moving yet still-along with the colors involved.

Answer 7

It is van Gogh (not Gough)

I think it is more myth that anything else and the great song by Don McLean did not do it much damage either.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vincent_%28song%29

Don't get me wrong, I think it is a great work of art but he is the most consistent artist I know. All his later french period work is all equally appealing to me.

Answer 8

To me its a study on contrasts...the countryside is peaceful but the night sky seems to seethe and churn with cosmic energy. If you ever see this painting in a museum, you will amazed at the amount of unpainted canvas there is.....