Responding to Images
directions:
Study the painting below and reflect on the elements of analyzing a visual that were covered in class. Read and/or watch the accompanying articles and/or videos for more information on the visual. Then, answer the questions on the second page.
Title: The Starry Night (Created 1889)
Artist: Vincent van Gogh
Medium: Oil paint
Period: Post-Impressionism, Modern Art
Article: Vincent Van Gogh: Starry Night
https://www.vangoghgallery.com/painting/starry-night.html
Video: Better Know: The Starry Night
Answer the following questions:
What is going on in the painting?
What is the focus (in the middle) of the painting? Why was this emphasized?
How did the artist use symmetry–possibly between the characters, the landscape, or the colors? (Ex: The setting sun is symbolic for the melancholy mood of the person in the painting.)
What are the dominant colors used? Why do you think the artist used these shades?
Describe the brushstrokes (strong, faded, soft) and explain why you think the artist used this technique for this painting.
Why do you think the painting was created? What did the artist want to capture or express? (Ex: Personal, political, or emotional reasons.)
What is your overall impression of the work? Ground your opinion and impressions of the artwork in details drawn from it.
Explain how the work affected you. What do you think about as you study it? How does it make you feel?