A Starry Night...
Despite the fact that I've never been fond of Van Gogh's style of painting, he was definitely on to something with A Starry Night. The free brush strokes and fluidity of the clouds, it's all very soothing. I've always taken comfort in this picture. The feeling that the painting gives it's viewer is so amazing. It could strike some people with fear with the foreboding Cypress trees that seem to capture more of an underwater feeling, overlooking the sleepy village below... Or it could fill others with a feeling of freedom with the loose brush strokes and soothing blue hues. The romantic moon floating over the town, casting it's gorgeous reflected light possibly on the face of lovers... It evokes so many different emotions. I still have little appreciation for Van Gogh's paintings, but this one seems to be the most amazing and thought provoking. It always felt less "studied" to me.
posted by Crissy_Mac at 9:25 PM
4 Comments:
I *love* this painting, and it's my favorite Van Gogh as well. And now that I think about it, it pretty much is the reason I like Van Gogh. A lot of his other paintings don't really do it for me. Have you heard Don McLean's "Vincent"? Really great song, and I can't look at this painting without thinking of it...
OMG, me too! That song was actually the first thing that came into my mind when I read the title. Heehee!
I've always liked this painting too, I think because of the color palette he chose. It looks very peaceful, the way it flows. I read somewhere that a possible reason the swirls and textures in this painting are like this is because Van Gogh was on a hallucinogen of some kind, or some chemical in his paints was making him see funny patterns. I don't know if this story has any credence, however!
I also like his painting of the sunflowers... is it just called "The Sunflowers"? I failed art in school. *durrr* :D But I remember doing a project in 1st grade where we had to imitate that painting with "oils"--and since my school was poor and they would never give real oil paints to six-year-olds anyway, "oil paint" was simulated with tempera mixed with soap. LOL It actually worked really well!
Aye, "Sunflowers" I think is the title of the painting. I wasn't ever fond of that one because I never liked the color scheme (not much into yellow and orange) but the balance, or composition rather, is decidedly excellent. On many of Van Gogh's paintings, there is always plenty of points that take your eyes clear around the canvas. (The key to great art!)
I've never heard the song "Vincent"... sounds like I have to investigate! :p
Check out my profile, Crissy! Just added "Vincent"! 8-)
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