Table of ContentsFormal AnalysisContextualizationConclusionVincent van Gogh's painting Starry Night is an important and famous work of art that is currently on display at the Museum of Modern Art in New York . Created in 1889, it showcases van Gogh's unique style and imagination. This essay will provide a formal analysis of the work of art, contextualize its creation, and offer the author's opinion on its unique characteristics and meaning. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Formal Analysis Starry Night depicts a nocturnal landscape, with the sky, stars, and moon occupying a significant portion of the canvas. The stars seem limitless, the crescent moon resembles the sun, and the cypress trees resemble flames, while the swirling loops draw the viewer into an abyss. The energy of the painting is focused on the continuous movement of the sky, created by a juxtaposition of white and yellow colors that create a shimmering effect. Its vibrant colors and captivating composition make it visually striking. The canvas is filled with thick, heavy lines that give the painting a rich texture. Van Gogh's use of an oily technique in his brushwork adds to the overall value of the artwork. Starry Night can be classified as a landscape painting, with its balanced composition featuring diagonal lines. Trees occupy the lower right corner, while a bright yellow moon is positioned in the upper left. The dominance of heaven over earth is evident, emphasizing the importance of the upper part. The shapes and elements of the painting are expressed through colors and rounded lines. In contrast, the city, trees and hills in the lower part of the painting are outlined by distinct dark, linear shapes, creating a sense of depth. Van Gogh's sensitivity to color is evident in the painting, as he believed it had its own language and effects on the viewer. Starry Night demonstrates unity in its composition and dynamics. Although various objects such as houses and trees are visible, they overlap, blurring their individual boundaries. The scale of objects is changed, with the stars and moon depicted in an exaggerated size. The dynamism of the painting effectively captures the artist's emotional experiences, immersing the viewer in the mystery of the sky and the night.ContextualizationVan Gogh painted The Starry Night during his stay at the St. Paul's Insane Asylum. de-Mausole in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence in 1889. The painting is a mixture of direct observations, memories, imagination and emotions of van Gogh. It was made during a period of remission, when van Gogh asked to return to his studio in Arles. However, due to a petition signed by the townspeople, he was unable to return home. The creation of the painting may have been influenced by the Old Testament story of Joseph, according to art historian Meyer Schapiro. Schapiro suggests that Starry Night is a visionary painting inspired by a religious ambiance. The eleven stars in the painting could represent a spiritual story. The two swirls in the center of the painting symbolize a conflict between unequal competitors, perhaps reflecting van Gogh's competitive relationship with his brother Theo or the artist Paul Gauguin. The absence of the sun in the painting raises questions about who Van Gogh's "sun" represented, whether it was his brother, his father, or another significant person. The cypress, with its flames rising upwards, could be an unconscious symbol of.