The History of The Starry Night
Van Gogh painted The Starry Night in June 1889 while staying at the Saint-Paul-de-Mausole asylum in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, in southern France, where he had admitted himself after a mental health crisis.
The view is based on what he could see from his east-facing bedroom window before sunrise, but he painted it from memory and imagination during the day. The village was added and does not match the view from his window.
The painting has been in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York since 1941.
What Does The Starry Night Mean?
Van Gogh wrote often to his brother Theo about the night sky and about the stars as something hopeful. Many viewers read the painting as a meeting of turbulent emotion and spiritual longing.
The cypress tree in the foreground, a tree often associated with cemeteries in Mediterranean culture, links the earth to the sky and is frequently interpreted as a reflection on life and death.
About Vincent van Gogh
Vincent van Gogh (1853–1890) was a Dutch Post-Impressionist painter. In just over a decade he created around 2,100 artworks, including roughly 860 oil paintings, most of them in the last two years of his life. He became famous only after his death.
Fun Facts
- Van Gogh considered the painting a failure, mentioning it only briefly in his letters.
- He painted it about a year before his death in 1890.
- The bright "star" near the horizon is often identified as the planet Venus, which was visible in the morning sky at the time.
How to Wear Your The Starry Night Tee
Starry Night looks rich on black or navy, where the yellows glow. Pair it with a denim jacket or an open flannel for an easy casual outfit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Starry Night really in the public domain?
Yes. The artist died more than 70 years ago, so the original artwork is no longer protected by copyright in the United States or most other countries. That is why we can print it on our tees.
What shirt is the art printed on?
Every design is printed on demand on a soft, 100% combed ring-spun cotton unisex tee using direct-to-garment printing, so the ink becomes part of the fabric instead of sitting on top like a heavy decal.
How long does shipping take?
Each shirt is printed after you order. Printing usually takes 2–5 business days, and US shipping typically takes another 3–5 business days.
