The 50 Paintings Project

Painting # 31

"Starry Night" by Vincent Van Gogh

This painting  by Vincent Van Gogh was done 128 years back and currently  hangs in the Metropolitan Museum at New York.

It is not a big frame - about 29 inches by 36 inches but very famous. 

 
 Almost everyone knows at least the name of this painting - "Oh! That's Starry Night " they will say...

There are 11 swirling stars in the painting and one bright yellow crescent shaped moon.

The stars take up so much attention of the viewer that  just a passing glance may cause you to miss the moonlit town in the middle. 

There is a church and there is light in a few windows :)

The dark shape in front is a cypress tree. 

This was a view from the asylum he was in after he admitted himself there ( having undergone depression and cutting off his ear in rage. )

Personally Van Gogh did not think much of this painting and described it as a failure referring to  the overly big stars.... If only somebody would have appreciated his painting while he was alive ...he may not have died such a depressed man. 

But that's usually the case with people - They are a little late with their compliments ! 

 I am like ...Why did'nt you say that ever before ?

Anyway ... so also Van Gogh got very little appreciation for his work and sold only one painting in his lifetime...

 
And ...look ...at... people..now !!! 

  
I wish Van Gogh could see how much he was being appreciated . How his work is not just being appreciated but "Studied" and "Researched" upon!

 





How people were investigating and pondering over his each brush stroke !!



 You will know a  Van Gogh Painting by these three things :

.

Thick laying of paint (IMPASTO Technique) , 

Simplified Forms 

&

 Bold Contrasts!

See you next week...Till then I'll go and compliment a few people :)