Final answer:
Vincent van Gogh's 'The Starry Night' is a deeply personal work created during his time in an asylum, expressing his contemplative thoughts on life, death, and the energizing qualities of nature, characterized by dramatic swirling patterns and luminous celestial bodies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The meaning behind Vincent van Gogh's masterpiece, The Starry Night, reflects a profound personal expression of his state of mind during his stay at an asylum in Saint-Remy. Van Gogh painted the view from his window at night, under the bright moon and glowing stars, which dominate the work, set against a darkened village. The swirling patterns in the sky and the shadowy cypress trees create a dramatic and emotive scene. In his letters to his brother Theo, van Gogh reveals his philosophical thoughts on existence and the accessibility of the stars compared to the darkness on Earth. The thick application of paint through very short brush strokes enhances the vivid drama and suggests a spirit moving through nature. Though van Gogh suffered from bouts of mental illness, this painting also expresses what he considered the 'healthy and fortifying' aspects of the countryside.