The song describes different paintings by Van Gogh.
Don McLean wrote the lyrics in 1971 after reading a book about the life of the artist. The following year the song became the No. 1 hit in the U.K. and No. 12 in the U.S.
For several years, the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam played the song daily. A copy of the sheet music is in a safe beneath the museum, along with a set of van Gogh's paint brushes, the hat he wore while painting Starry Night and various other items.
It is rumored that Van Gogh's painting of the 'Starry Night' was painted during the time he was in an asylum and we've heard that he sold only one painting during his lifetime, as his genius was not recognized. That's perhaps what caused him to fall into an abyss of depression which eventually led to his suicide. How tragic to have felt so hopeless and not understood in spite of being so gifted!
This video with exquisite music accompanied by Van Goghs paintings really moved me. It is beautiful and thought provoking. It's time for a moment of beauty.
Goda di...enjoy!
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7 comments:
Oh Sg, I love that painting Starry Night! We actually got to go to a toured show of Van Gogh's work at the Art Institute of Chicago a few years back. I came home with a neat book, and a print of that painting, which still hangs in my home today!
Thanks for the memories! :)
Oh, flea, that sounds wonderful! He was such a talented troubled soul....
SG!!! I love it!!! Beautifully done!! Like Flea, I too, have a print of that painting! LOL Thanks for making my day, even if I always get kind of wistful about that song. :)
Dear Supergranny,
You've brought us many wonderful ideas, historical anecdotes, and lovely things to look at. This video, however, is especially beautiful--in fact, it brought tears to my eyes. The combination of Van Gogh's amazing work and the evocative words and music of Don McLean was true genius and emotionally cathartic. I LOVED IT! Thank you for sharing!!!
Eileen, SF, thank you for sharing your wise thoughts. Starry Starry Night has been scrolling through my mind for a week now. It truly gives new meaning to Van Goghs lifes mind...tortured soul with a love for life that he just couldn't grasp.
Excellent article SuperG. I read a few years ago that it is theorized by some people that his mental problems could have been caused by toxic paints as he was often seen with a paint brush in his mouth. I think he was even photographed with one in his mouth.
Mags, thanks for sharing that interesting theory....gives me something else to look up:)
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