Considering the Wabi-Sabi-ness of Van Gogh’s Starry Night

Vincent van Gogh’s Starry Night is a masterpiece of Western art and one of the most iconic paintings of all time. Its unique and striking qualities have been analyzed by art historians and critics for years, with many identifying its distinct wabi-sabi aesthetic.

Wabi-sabi is a Japanese aesthetic concept that celebrates imperfection, impermanence, and the beauty of the natural world. It emphasizes the value of simplicity, asymmetry, and a sense of rusticity or roughness in art. While Starry Night is not a Japanese work of art, it certainly exhibits many of these qualities.

One of the key elements of wabi-sabi in Starry Night is its use of asymmetry. The painting is not perfectly balanced, with the bulk of the visual weight on the left side. This creates a sense of movement and energy, as if the stars are swirling and the town below is alive with activity. The asymmetry also gives the painting a sense of imperfection, as if it were a natural phenomenon rather than a carefully planned composition.

Another aspect of wabi-sabi in Starry Night is its celebration of imperfection. The painting is not photorealistic, with distorted shapes and swirling lines that give it a dreamlike quality. This imperfection is part of what makes the painting so captivating. It feels like a reflection of the artist’s emotional state, rather than a cold representation of reality.

The use of color in Starry Night is also reminiscent of wabi-sabi. The blues and yellows are not pure, but rather muted and earthy. This creates a sense of naturalness and simplicity, as if the colors were taken directly from the earth rather than manufactured in a laboratory.

Finally, the brushstrokes in Starry Night exhibit a sense of roughness and texture that is characteristic of wabi-sabi. Van Gogh used thick, visible strokes that create a sense of depth and movement. The brushstrokes are not hidden, but rather celebrated as part of the painting’s beauty.

In conclusion, Vincent van Gogh’s Starry Night is a perfect example of the wabi-sabi aesthetic. Its celebration of imperfection, asymmetry, naturalness, and roughness create a sense of beauty that transcends the boundaries of time and culture. The painting reminds us that imperfection is part of the natural world and that there is a unique beauty to be found in the imperfect, fleeting moments of life.