Vincent Van Gogh's The Starry Night_ Great Art Explained

Introduction to Vincent van Gogh's Asylum Stay

• Admitted to a mental asylum outside Saint Remy in Provence, staying for just over a year.

• Originally planned for a large public institution in Marseille but was diverted to a smaller asylum with only 41 patients.

Treatment and Creativity

• Kind treatment allowed Vincent to survive; art became essential for his well-being.

• Despite the turmoil around him, Vincent's creativity flourished, producing approximately 150 paintings during his stay, averaging one every other day.

• Known for painting quickly, often completing works in just a few hours.

Personal Struggles & Misconceptions

• Commonly perceived as a "mad artist," Vincent experienced both manic episodes and periods of lucidity.

• Demonstrated intelligence and articulate nature, being knowledgeable about art and fluent in four languages.

• Struggled with his identity and place in the world, contributing to his mental health issues.

• Suffered from epilepsy and likely bipolar disorder along with hallucinations and syphilis.

Mental Health at the Asylum

• Labelled as the sanest patient by recent evaluations, indicating the asylum had a net positive effect on him.

• Experienced manic attacks but was able to paint approximately 75% of the time.

• His regimen at the asylum included regular meals and less alcohol, contributing to improved health.

Environment and Influence on Work

• The asylum environment, with its gardens and proximity to nature, was beneficial, fostering creativity.

• Allowed to paint, with the insistence of his brother Theo, who funded his treatment.

• His initial works reflected the view from his cell, later evolving to portray the surrounding countryside.

Artistic Development

• Self-taught artist who began painting at age 30; his significant development unfolded over the last four years.

• Prior two years in Paris majorly influenced his style through exposure to Impressionists and Japanese art.

• Shifted from dark muted colors to a vibrant palette coinciding with new synthetic pigments available.

The Starry Night

• Painted on June 18, 1889; depicts the view from his window in the asylum in a nocturne style, combining memory and imagination.

• Utilizes a cypress tree symbolizing a link between life and death, pivotal in Mediterranean culture.

• Painted sky displays energetic colors and swirling galaxies, suggesting new artistic movements towards abstraction.

• Incorporates impasto techniques where paint is applied thickly, heightening texture and emotion.

Scientific and Artistic Connections

• Influenced by astronomy, possibly alluding to contemporary astronomical discoveries such as spirals in galaxies.

• Explored themes of spirituality and nature through his art, which served as a form of worship post-Christianity.

Legacy and Misattributions

• Dismissed "The Starry Night" as a failure during his lifetime; his self-critique led him to often overwrite previous works.

• Following his release from the asylum, he moved to Auvers-sur-Oise, where he took his life two months later.

• Myth that he was unrecognized during his life; he had notable exhibitions and was considered significant by peers.

• The complex legacy includes a profound influence on modern art, though he struggled personally throughout his life.