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| Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh |
Van
Gogh is a Dutch Post-impressionist painter who is highly noted for his use of
colour (1853-1890). When it comes to Van Gogh paintings, almost all of his
works are famous outside the art historian circles and often referenced in the
popular culture. However, the Starry Night is probably one of the paintings
most of us must have seen somewhere at some point in time. It depicts the view
from Van Gogh’s sanatorium window situated in Southern
France . But why was Van Gogh not appreciated at the time he
worked, or was he simply ahead of his time, such that he lived only for
posterity?
In
a letter to his brother, Van Gogh explained that when he painted this picture
he did not make a reference to religion or romance, but to the pure country
nature, purer than the suburbs and the bars of Paris. The Starry Night has been
in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York since 1941.
This painting and the creative power of Van Gogh inspired Don McLean to write
the song “Vincent” also known as “Starry, Starry Night” for its opening line.
It
is recorded that the artist hardly sold any of his works during his life time
and so did not make any financial success of his career. Could this have been
the frustration that drove him to near insanity, and even leading him to slash
off his ear? The irony of it all is that Van Gogh has sold so much and also at
record breaking prices after his death, and even till this day. Could this not
be seen as a mere mockery of this great artist, or is he really a creative
genius?
By Morgan Nwanguma
