#28 FORJES, RONDEL JOHN ESTANISLAO

HUMANITIES 13

VINCENT VAN GOGHS STARY NIGHT PAINTING AND DON MCLEANS VINCENT
INSIGHT

A beautiful masterpiece made

by a genius artist. A poetic artwork
reflected in a beautiful song. What lies
behind those swirling clouds and
magnificent lights under a peaceful
place? Who knows . . . but my
curiosity was really awakened after
seeing this painting and hearing the
song of Don Mclean.

A picture speaks a thousand words, though it may not literally speak, the message of it
through the blended elements of visual art is more than enough, but the danger of interpreting it
would be based on the perception of a certain spectator. As for me starry night itself is loneliness,
the painting of Van Gogh with the combination of sentiments embedded in the song Vincent, it
made me somehow think of the quotation by William James which goes this way the deepest
principle in human nature is the craving to be appreciated, A directly stated principle that
states how important appreciation is to each of us, as we live and struggle with the misty mystery
pace of time here on earth. Its like a food that feeds the soul and a heat that warms the heart.
I believe that the singer of the song and the painter of the painting had somehow the
same sentiments, because Don Mclean will not be able to collect pieces of words and put them
together, which rhymed perfectly fine and synchronize so perfectly with the art work of Van
Gogh if he didnt underwent through obstacles like the obstacles met by the painter.
In the song, every word described the every bit of Vincent's struggles in life as an artist.
Vincent's attempt of opening to the world his whole heart to show his desires as seen in the scene
presented behind his painting was very obvious in the song and the disillusionment after his
failure in letting the whole humanity recognize the presence he signified. The hunger for love
and recognition is present but the world is so blind that they did not notice it. He tried to show
how he cared for others; he tried to let the horizons meet to let others know his realm, but it just
lead into a melancholic end.