Describing Starry Night in words: looming cypress tree on the left side of the canvas
Visual Description
Starry Night, painted by Vincent van Gogh in 1889, is a captivating and iconic work of art that has captured the imagination of people for over a century. In the painting, a large, dark cypress tree looms on the left side of the canvas, its twisted and elongated form reaching upward and contrasting with the swirling and luminous sky above. The sky is filled with bold, vivid colors, predominantly blues and yellows, and features a series of swirling stars and the crescent moon, which seem to dance and shimmer across the canvas. Below the sky, there is a small, peaceful village nestled among rolling hills, with quaint houses and a church steeple piercing the skyline.
Composition and Balance
The composition of Starry Night is both dynamic and well-balanced. The looming cypress tree on the left side of the canvas serves as a strong vertical element, drawing the viewer’s eye upward and creating a sense of motion and energy. This is balanced by the horizontal elements of the village and the rolling hills, which provide a sense of stability and calm. The swirling sky, with its vibrant colors and energetic movement, dominates the painting, but the darker, more grounded landscape below provides a contrasting foundation that allows the sky to truly shine.
Symbolism and Interpretation
The looming cypress tree on the left side of the canvas is often interpreted as a symbol of death and the unknown, as cypress trees were commonly associated with graveyards and mourning in van Gogh’s time. This dark and foreboding tree, set against the backdrop of the vibrant and lively sky, could be seen as a representation of the struggle between life and death, or perhaps the artist’s own internal battle with his mental health. The contrast between the dark tree and the luminous sky may also represent the coexistence of darkness and light, both in the world and within the human experience.
Technique: Van Gogh’s use of impasto
One of the most striking aspects of Starry Night is van Gogh’s use of impasto, a technique in which thick layers of paint are applied to the canvas, creating a textured, three-dimensional surface. This technique is particularly evident in the swirling sky and the cypress tree, where the paint appears to have been applied in thick, expressive strokes, capturing the movement and energy of the scene. The impasto technique adds depth and dimension to the painting, making it feel more like a living, breathing landscape than a static image. This masterful use of impasto is a signature characteristic of van Gogh’s work and contributes greatly to the enduring appeal and fascination of Starry Night.