De sterrenacht
Vincent van Gogh
The artist
Vincent van Gogh
- Born
- Mar 30, 1853 · Groot-Zundert, Netherlands
- Died
- Jul 29, 1890 · Auvers-sur-Oise, France
- Art movement
- Post-Impressionism / early Expressionism
Vincent van Gogh was born in Groot-Zundert in the Netherlands in 1853 as the son of a pastor. After several attempts to work as a preacher, he decided to become a painter in 1879. From 1883-1885 he learnt to draw and paint from his cousin Anton Mauve. Initially, von Gogh painted in earthy, heavy colours, as in the painting "The Potato Eater".
In 1882, he fell in love with Clasina Maria Hoornik. However, this caused a dispute with his family as Hoornik was a pregnant former prostitute with a daughter. Nevertheless, van Gogh adopted both children and provided for his small family with his brother's money so that Hoornik no longer had to go out to work.
However, van Gogh separated from Hoornik again in 1883, knowing that in future he would devote himself entirely to painting without any relationship. After the separation, he began to paint heaths and moors as well as local farmers and farm labourers. In 1884, his brother suggested selling his works on the Paris art market in order to continue supporting him financially. However, van Gogh's paintings were too gloomy for the French market.
His choice of colours changed drastically when he moved to Paris in 1885. In Paris he met Impressionist painters, which brightened and lightened his colour palette. In Provence, he developed a style that was characterised by bright and expressive colours and had little to do with Impressionism.
However, van Gogh only stayed in Paris until 1888, when he moved to Arles. During this time, his mental state deteriorated rapidly, which led to his incessant hospitalisation in various hospitals in Arles and Saint Remy. His mental state led to an assault on his friend Gauguin in 1889. As a result of this quarrel, the friendship between the two painters broke down and van Gogh cut off one of his ears.
In 1890, van Gogh tried to kill himself with a revolver. He eventually died as a result of this attempt. Van Gogh always lived in complete poverty and was financially dependent on his brother, but his works are the most popular today and sell for millions at auction.
The artwork
De sterrenacht
- Created
- 1889 in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence
- Technique
- Oil colours on canvas
At the time the 73.7 x 92.1 cm painting was created, Van Gogh was in the Saint-Paul-de-Mausole mental hospital. It is therefore assumed that he painted it from memory, as he was not allowed to leave the asylum unaccompanied.
The painting was painted from the perspective of the view from the window. Here we see a combination of influences from the south of France, recognisable from the cypresses that border the field of vision on the left, and his Dutch homeland, as the village depicted resembles the Dutch. The illuminated houses in the village represent a sign of life for van Gogh. His connection to nature is also recognisable here. Even as a teenager, van Gogh roamed the fields and admired the beauty of the heavenly play of colours. This is why around two thirds of the painting is covered with this same play of colours in the night sky. There are 11 stars and a crescent moon depicted, which are surrounded by waves representing cosmic energies.
As van Gogh was suffering greatly from his mental state at the time of the painting's creation, it can also be interpreted as an expression of his struggle to overcome his illness. This is reflected in the contradictory depictions. Thus the stillness of the village contrasts with the turbulence of the sky, or the darkness of the cypress tree with the bright yellow of the sky. The emotional turmoil with which van Gogh struggled can be recognised, but there is also a certain calm, hope and consolation that van Gogh did not lose despite everything and found above all in the nocturnal landscape.
Artwork details
KÖNITZ ARTselection
Art has many faces.
Discover our ARTselection collection – iconic works of art, beautifully reproduced on fine porcelain.
Explore the collection
