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And yet one family welcomed Vincent and encouraged his work. In many respects,
members of
Roulin family were Vincent's only friends in Arles. Always challenged to find willing subjects for his portraits, Vincent found
Roulins to be extremely accommodating and patient. In total, Van Gogh painted or sketched 25 works of
Roulin family, including one of Augustine Roulin. Thanks to
kindness shown toward this eccentric and troubled painter by
old postman, Joseph Roulin, and his family, Vincent was able to produce some of his most beloved works.
During Van Gogh’s period of illness he was confined first to
Arles hospital, then to
asylum at Saint-Rémy, where, in 1889, he painted
swirling, climactic Starry Night. Starry Night is probably Vincent Van Gogh's most famous painting. Instantly recognizable because of its unique style, this work has been
subject of poetry, fiction, CD-ROMs as well as
well known song "Vincent" or "Starry, Starry Night" by Don McLean.
While there's no denying
popularity of Starry Night, it's also interesting to note that there is very little known about Vincent's own feelings toward this work. This is mainly due to
fact that he only mentions it in his letters to Theo twice, and then only in passing. In his correspondence with his brother, Vincent would often discuss specific works in great detail, but not so in
case of Starry Night. Why? It's difficult to say. Some people have made stylistic comparisons to Vincent's other well-known and equally turbulent Seascape At Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer. Does
tumultuous style of these works reflect a tortured mind? Or is there something more we can read within
whorls Vincent's raging night sky? This is what makes Starry Night not only Vincent's most famous work, but also one of its most frequently interpreted in terms of its meaning and importance.
Some people have speculated about
eleven stars in
painting. While it's true that Vincent didn't have
same religious fervor in 1889 when he painted
work as he did in his earlier years, there is a possibility that
story of Joseph in
Old Testament may have had an influence on
composition of
work.
'Look, I have had another dream' he said, 'I thought I saw
sun,
moon and eleven stars, bowing to me.' -Genesis 37:9
Whatever
interpretations or underlying meanings, Starry Night stands out as one of
most important works of art produced in
nineteenth century. After painting Wheatfield with Crows during
last three months of his life in 1890, Van Gogh’s work began projecting ominous overtones of distress. Two days later, he shot himself, dying in
arms of his brother shortly after.
Some of Van Gogh’s other notable paintings include, The Seine Bridge at Asnières, Old Man With His Head In His Hands and The Reaper.
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