Vincent van Gogh, The Starry Night

Vincent van Gogh, The Starry Night, 1889 (June, Saint Rémy), oil on canvas, 73.7 x 92.1 cm (The Museum of Modern Art)

Speakers: Dr. Beth Harris and Dr. Steven Zucker

[Micro-Nova]

The painting looks so underrated hanging on the white wall, it seems it must have a more complimentary setting, notifying the world of its presence. Such a beautiful art work requires a more deserving surrounding.

[hansolo]

The church he painted was not the type of church you could find anywhere in the south of France. But it is actually a steeple church that was typical in his native country The Netherlands. Is shows you where his mind was at the time. He was thinking of home.

[Air_Dan]

This was an elegant fun discussion of an amazing piece. Love the presentation!

[alfredoechevarrieta]

Muchas gracias Smarthistory por tener en breve tiempo sus grandes lecciones.

[seven]

Beautifully explained, as always. You guys are superb.

[guest_informant]

Informative and thought-provoking, as always. Thank you :-)

[BM-qiss]

I’m so happy because I just got to see this like a week ago and I love the analysis; this is just perfect:>

[migueleduardoescalante]

This Is why Don Mclean Had Decided To Play That Song Starry Starry Night In 1972 to pay tribute to Vincent Van Gogh

[astridmulkens]

I love Van Gogh much Amazing painting !!!! 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

[Sasha]

As many times as I've seen this painting, I've never understood it as well as I do now. I'm definitely intrigued by the church and look forward to learning more about van Gogh, how faith potentially influenced his artwork, etc.

[martakapas]

Thank you my favourite You Tube channel!
✨✨✨✨✨❤

[AMorgan]

In looking at this again now, I pick up on the cresting wave form in the sky, reminds me a little of Hokusai's Great Wave.

[ETBrenner]

The sky in Starry Night always struck me as the celestial bodies doing a swirling joyful dance. I hadn't thought of the way the cypress echoes the church steeple compositionally, and now I'm wondering if Van Gogh meant to suggest some metaphorical contrast between them (cypress=death/church and town representing life?) ... I also can't resist mentioning that Doctor Who episode in which the show pictured letting Vincent know how deeply his work would be revered by future generations.

[colbystearns]

I'd be interested in hearing your analysis of Irises at the Getty sometime. :)

[myagurl]

Y does this make me feel sooo good seriously how can I find more

[kaushiksheshnagraj]

I liked your videos so much your channel is my favourite in YouTube your videos are so much knowledgeful and educative your channel is a inspiration for other history Youtube channels I get various
Knowledge from your videos I am your old supporter and subscriber from 5k so I have a humble request for you can you make a video on Skanderbeg please please

[damedesuka]

I never really pay attention to the individual objects in this painting before this. That cypress tree always registers as some kind of sinister tower in the back of my mind.
It's actually a tree huh...

[artvsmachine]

Interesting that Vincent himself did not think this was one of his better paintings, preferring to work directly from nature.

[BorselinoThadchack]

awesome video as always. I ve been to Arles in the place where Van Gogh painted the other Starry Night you are referring to, standing at the exact angle where he painted it.

[radioactivedetective]

To me, the relative size of the cyprus seems to be at par with the flowy clouds and moon, though on earth. It seems to be part of Nature at a grand, cosmic, primordial scale, in contrast with the tiny nests of humanity huddled together. Even the Church, humanity's attempt to access divinity/transcendence, is slender and fragile, compared to the gigantic cyprus, which represents pre-civilizational nature. A bit like the contrast between the primordial oaks and the ruined abbey in Friedrich's "The Abbey in the Oakwoods". The human habitat, including the church, is made up of tiny geometrical structures, still and fixed, whereas the cosmic is curvacious and patternistic and bold. The cyprus, with its dark flame like form, seems to be reaching up to the heavens to join in the dance of the clouds and stars. It is like some grand, eternal cosmic theatre going on, while humanity sleeps unaware... Just my very personal thoughts.