It's interpreted by art historians as a depiction of Van Gogh's emotional and mental state at the time he painted it. Some believe that the turbulent, swirling sky and the isolated cypress tree in the painting are symbols of the artist's turbulent inner world, and that the bright, glowing stars represent his hopes and dreams for the future. Others have suggested that the painting is an expression of Van Gogh's fascination with the night sky and his desire to capture the beauty and mystery of the cosmos.