I find Starry Night to be intensely spiritual. I see the power and majesty of God portrayed in Starry Night. There is something infinitely dynamic in the swirling brushstrokes that create the clouds and sky, and the glow of the stars and moon. The hills and vegetation in the painting also seem to move with power and authority. The cypress tree in the foreground of the painting has the shape of a flame – a symbol of the Holy Spirit.
Cypress trees are traditionally associated with death. Van Gogh did not fear death. He said, “Looking at the stars always makes me dream. Why, I ask myself, shouldn’t the shining dots of the sky be as accessible as the black dots on the map of France? Just as we take the train to get to Tarascon or Rouen, we take death to reach a star”.
The cypress tree points up to the heavens as if directing to viewer to look up to God. This message is repeated in the spire of the church, but in this painting the church seems like a small and weak reflection of nature. I feel that this contrast is significant in the painting. Mankind is a smaller, weaker reflection of the omnipotence and glory of God. All evidence of humanity is portrayed in the buildings - they are small and insignificant.
I feel that Van Gogh might have felt this way because of his experiences in life. He was unsuccessful finding lasting happiness with a woman. He was unsuccessful finding satisfying work among people. He was unsuccessful finding sanity and peace in mental health facilities.
To be continued...
Cypress trees are traditionally associated with death. Van Gogh did not fear death. He said, “Looking at the stars always makes me dream. Why, I ask myself, shouldn’t the shining dots of the sky be as accessible as the black dots on the map of France? Just as we take the train to get to Tarascon or Rouen, we take death to reach a star”.
The cypress tree points up to the heavens as if directing to viewer to look up to God. This message is repeated in the spire of the church, but in this painting the church seems like a small and weak reflection of nature. I feel that this contrast is significant in the painting. Mankind is a smaller, weaker reflection of the omnipotence and glory of God. All evidence of humanity is portrayed in the buildings - they are small and insignificant.
I feel that Van Gogh might have felt this way because of his experiences in life. He was unsuccessful finding lasting happiness with a woman. He was unsuccessful finding satisfying work among people. He was unsuccessful finding sanity and peace in mental health facilities.
To be continued...
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