Who painted The Starry Night?
Quick answer
The Starry Night was painted by Dutch artist Vincent van Gogh in June 1889, while he was staying at an asylum in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, in southern France. It shows a swirling night sky over a quiet village. Since 1941, it has hung at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York.
Key facts
- Artist
- Vincent van Gogh (1853–1890)
- Painted
- June 1889
- Size
- About 74 × 92 cm (29 × 36 in)
- Location
- Museum of Modern Art, New York
Where it was painted
After a mental health crisis in Arles, in which he cut off part of his ear, Van Gogh voluntarily entered the Saint-Paul-de-Mausole asylum in Saint-Rémy. From his east-facing bedroom window, he could see the view before sunrise, but the village in the painting was largely imagined. He painted the scene during the day, from memory and sketches.
What’s in the painting
| Element | Notes |
|---|---|
| Swirling sky | Energetic, flowing brushstrokes; some scientists compare them to patterns of turbulence |
| Crescent moon and 11 stars | Bright halos of yellow and white |
| Venus | The bright “morning star” near the horizon |
| Cypress tree | A dark flame-like shape linking earth and sky, often seen as a symbol of death and eternity |
| Village and church | The steeple looks more Dutch than French, perhaps a memory of home |
A painting he didn’t think much of
Van Gogh described The Starry Night in a letter to his brother Theo as a failure. Today it’s one of the most recognized paintings in the world.
Van Gogh’s short career
- He painted for only about 10 years, producing around 2,100 artworks, including about 860 oil paintings.
- He sold very few paintings during his life.
- He died in July 1890, aged 37, after a gunshot wound.
- His sister-in-law Jo van Gogh-Bonger worked tirelessly to build his reputation after his death.
The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam holds the largest collection of his work.
For other famous paintings, see where the Mona Lisa is and Dalí’s The Persistence of Memory, also at MoMA. For real stars, see what constellation Betelgeuse is in.
Still curious?
Jump to a random question from the archive.