Van Gogh
Starry Night
Starry Night
Starry Night is one of the most well known
images in modern culture as well as being one
of the most replicated and sought after prints.
Why so popular?
There is the night sky filled with swirling clouds, stars ablaze
with their own luminescence, and a bright crescent moon.
Although the features are exaggerated, this is a scene we can
all relate to, and also one that most individuals feel
comfortable and at ease with. This sky keeps the viewer's
eyes moving about the painting, following the curves and
creating a visual dot to dot with the stars. This movement
keeps the onlooker involved in the painting while the other
factors take hold.
Why so popular?
Below the rolling hills of the horizon lies a small town. There is a
peaceful essence flowing from the structures. Perhaps the cool
dark colors and the fiery windows spark memories of our own
warm childhood years filled with imagination of what exists in
the night and dark starry skies. The center point of the town is
the tall steeple of the church, reigning largely over the smaller
buildings. This steeple casts down a sense of stability onto the
town, and also creates a sense of size and seclusion.
Why so popular?
To the left of the painting there is a massive dark structure
that develops an even greater sense of size and isolation.
This structure is magnificent when compared to the scale of
other objects in the painting. The curving lines mirror that of
the sky and create the sensation of depth in the painting.
This structure also allows the viewer to interpret what it is.
From a mountain to a leafy bush, the analysis of this
formation is wide and full of variety.
Goals
• Develop an understanding of Vincent van Gogh’s style.
• Demonstrate skills in creating a balanced composition.
• Gain an understanding of what artistic interpretation is
and apply that knowledge to create a work of art that has
the following elements:
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•
•
•
Expressive line
Texture
Movement
Personal interests and elements.
Objective
• Students will create a unique interpretation of
Vincent van Gogh’s Starry Night by recreating
the image and:
– Modernizing the image by adding new elements into the
same setting.
– Keeping the setting but changing the colors.
– Applying the Starry Night look to another image.
– Applying the Starry Night look to another city.
Interpretation
Many modern artists
choose to do their own
versions of famous
paintings.
This is often a good
creative exercise that
can help you identify
your own artistic style.
This interpretation is
very similar to the
original.
This painting has
brighter colors and
all of the main
elements are
crowded more
closely together
Large Scale
Some artists choose
to make large scale,
public interpretations.
This type of art
beautifies public
space and exposes
people to culture and
art that they may not
be exposed to
otherwise
Additions
Other artists choose to take an image from popular culture
and add it into the famous work of art.
Modernize
Some choose to
modernize a famous
piece by adding modern
elements. This painting
features flying saucers
throughout the sky. Also
notice the vast
differences in color use.
Mona Lisa Starry Night
Another popular trend among
artists is to combine the subject
matter, style, and elements of two
famous paintings
This artist used bolder brighter colors and
added modern elements to the cityscape.
Nashville
This artist has used
Van Gogh’s
signature style to
make a painting of
his hometown of
Nashville,
Tennessee.
Space Needle in Seattle
This artist used
Van Gogh’s style
to paint a Seattle
cityscape.
Same Style,
Completely
Different scene.
This artist used Van Gogh’s
wide, thick brushstrokes to
create a completely unique
painting.