Vincent van Gogh: Starry Night (EBAU question 1 and question 3)

 

     'Starry Night' is one of the most recognized pieces of art in the world and it is absolutely everywhere. It can be seen on coffee mugs, t-shirts, towels, magnets, etc. Honestly, it sometimes feels as if the painting’s fame has exceeded that of its creator. It is a magnificent piece of art. That 'Starry Night' resonates with so many people is a testament to how its beauty is timeless and universal.

     Vincent van Gogh painted Starry Night in 1889 during his stay at the asylum of Saint-Paul-de-Mausole. He lived well in the hospital; he was allowed more freedoms than any of the other patients. If attended, he could leave the hospital grounds; he was allowed to paint, read, and withdraw into his own room. He was even given a studio. While he suffered from the occasional relapse into paranoia and fits - officially he had been diagnosed with epileptic fits - it seemed his mental health was recovering.

     Unfortunately he began to suffer hallucination and have thoughts of suicide as he plunged into depression and that influenced his work. He returned to incorporating the darker colours from the beginning of his career and Starry Night is a wonderful example of that shift. Blue dominates the painting, blending hills into the sky. The little village lays at the base in the painting in browns, greys, and blues. Even though each building is clearly outlined in black, the yellow and white of the stars and the moon stand out against the sky, drawing the eyes to the sky. They are the big attention grabber of the painting.

     One of the biggest points of interest about this painting is that it came entirely from Van Gogh’s imagination. None of the scenery matches the area surrounding Saint-Paul or the view from his window. As a man who religiously paints what he sees, it’s a remarkable break from Van Gogh’s normal work.

     The contrast in styles plays on the natural versus the unnatural, dreams versus reality. Nature could even be attributed to the divine in this work. It could be that Van Gogh simply wanted to breathe in the higher power into his art, as he grew up in a religious household.   

Question 1. Indicate whether the following statements are True or False and write down which part of the text justifies your answer.

1. 'Starry Night' hasn´t always been regarded as beautiful.
2. Everybody in the asylum could go to his room any time.
3. His mental health is reflected in his work.
4. Vincent's early colours were not as light as those he used when his mind was more at ease.
5. There's a black line around the buildings.
6. Van Gogh didn't use to invent the topic of his paintings.
7.  He belonged to a religious family.

Question 3. Find words or phrases in the text that correspond to the words and definitions given.

1. truly,really (par.1)
2. seem (par.1)
3. accompany (par.2)
4. attack (par.2)
5. change (par.3)
6. be noticed easily (par.3)
7. be located (par.3)

KEY

Question 1

1.     False. “That 'Starry Night' resonates with so many people is a testament to how its beauty is timeless and universal. “
2.     False. “He lived well in the hospital; he was allowed more freedoms than any of the other patients. If attended, he could leave the hospital grounds; he was allowed to paint, read, and withdraw into his own room.”
3.     True. “Unfortunately he began to suffer hallucination and have thoughts of suicide as he plunged into depression and that influenced his work.”
4.     True. “ Unfortunately he began to suffer hallucination and have thoughts of suicide as he plunged into depression and that influenced his work.”
5.     True. “ Even though each building is clearly outlined in black”
6.     True. “One of the biggest points of interest about this painting is that it came entirely from Van Gogh’s imagination. None of the scenery matches the area surrounding Saint-Paul or the view from his window. As a man who religiously paints what he sees, it’s a remarkable break from Van Gogh’s normal work.”
7.     True. “It could be that Van Gogh simply wanted to breathe in the higher power into his art, as he grew up in a religious household.”

Question 2

1.     honestly
2.     feels / to feel
3.     attended / to attend
4.     fits
5.     shift
6.     to stand out
7.     to lay