ELI5: Why Did Van Gogh Paint The Starry Night?

Vincent van Gogh painted The Starry Night to comfort himself and express his deep feelings by turning the night sky he saw from his window into a magical world of hope.

Imagine you are having a really tough, sad day. When you feel that way, you might cuddle your favorite blanket, draw with bright crayons, or listen to a happy bedtime story to feel better. Van Gogh was having a very hard time in his everyday life. He felt sick, lonely, and sad, so he was staying in a special hospital to rest and heal.

From his bedroom window, he looked out at the sky every night. Even though his daily life felt dark and scary, the sky gave him peace. He picked up his paintbrushes because:

• Painting was his therapy: Just like crying makes you feel lighter or hugging someone makes you feel safe, splashing thick paint onto a canvas helped him let out all his big feelings.
• He wanted to see the bright side: Even on the darkest nights, the stars still shine. He painted the stars extra huge and bright to remind himself that happy times would come back, just like a nightlight in a dark room.
• He loved to use his imagination: He did not just copy what was outside his window. He mixed the real sky with a cozy imaginary village from his childhood, complete with glowing windows where he imagined peaceful families living normal, quiet lives.