The Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh is a world-renowned post-impressionist painting and arguably one of the most recognizable works in Western society. This painting was made in 1889 during Van Gogh’s stay at the asylum of Saint-Paul-de-Mausole. Although the only official diagnosis Van Gogh received was epilepsy, historians have suggested a myriad of mental health afflictions, including hallucinatory psychosis, alcoholism, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. Even his death remains a mystery, with some arguing his death was not self-inflicted, as was officially ruled. 

By analyzing this painting through the lens of mental illness, we can see many themes from the aforementioned disorders emerge in the painting. For instance, notice the dream-like quality of the painting. This is reminiscent of psychosis: a break from reality that may include hallucinations or delusions. According to the Van Gogh Gallery website, he was known for painting what he saw. The Starry Night, on the other hand, comes straight from his imagination and possibly represents the visual hallucinations he endured. Similarly, the distorted reality in this painting could refer to his struggle with alcoholism and his consumption of poisonous materials like paint and turpentine.

The darker tones in this piece are also reminiscent of his early work, which was marked by depressive moods and feelings. This return to a dark colour palette suggests the resurfacing of his mental health challenges. Furthermore, the roiling sky may represent his struggle with turbulent and overwhelming emotions, a common theme in depression. At the time this painting was created, Van Gogh was suffering from suicidal ideation and depression. While some may interpret the bright stars featured in this painting as a beacon of hope or a representation of mental clarity during these dark periods, others suggest that they represent his battle with addiction and the substances he often consumed.

To learn more about this painting and Van Gogh’s works, follow this link: https://www.vangoghgallery.com/painting/starry-night.html

Contributing author: Sophie Wagner

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Feature Image: The Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh