Is the starry night abstract art?

As an art historian specializing in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, I often delve into the intricacies of various art movements and their most prominent figures. One such figure is Vincent van Gogh, whose work "The Starry Night" is a cornerstone of the post-impressionist movement and has been a subject of much debate and analysis. The question at hand is whether "The Starry Night" can be classified as abstract art. To address this, we must first understand the characteristics of abstract art and then examine how van Gogh's work aligns with these characteristics.
Abstract art is a genre that uses a visual language of form, color, and line to create a composition that may not necessarily depict anything recognizable. It is often characterized by a departure from reality in presentation, not necessarily in meaning. The viewer is encouraged to interpret the work based on the visual elements rather than a narrative or a representation of the physical world.
"The Starry Night" is a painting that captures the essence of a night sky over a small village, with a swirling pattern of stars and the suggestion of a crescent moon. The painting is not a direct representation of a real place but rather a stylized interpretation. Van Gogh's use of color and his brushwork are expressive and emotive, which are hallmarks of his post-impressionist style.
While "The Starry Night" does depict a scene from the natural world, the way in which van Gogh presents this scene is what brings us to the question of abstraction. The sky is not a realistic depiction but a series of swirling, rhythmic lines that evoke a sense of movement and energy. The stars are not simple dots of light but are given form and personality, as if they are living entities. This approach to representing the sky is more symbolic and emotional than literal.
Van Gogh's style in "The Starry Night" is also characterized by bold, expressive brushstrokes that create texture and depth. These brushstrokes are not just a means to an end but are integral to the painting's overall impact. They contribute to the abstraction by emphasizing the physical act of painting and the artist's personal expression.
It is important to note that while "The Starry Night" exhibits elements of abstraction, it is not purely abstract. The painting contains recognizable elements such as the village, the church steeple, and the cypress tree. These elements are stylized and simplified but still retain their identity. This combination of abstraction and representation is a testament to van Gogh's unique approach to painting and his ability to convey emotion through his work.
In conclusion, "The Starry Night" can be considered a work that straddles the line between representational and abstract art. It is a painting that uses abstraction to express the artist's emotional response to the world around him. While it does not fit neatly into the category of abstract art as we understand it today, it is a significant work that has influenced the development of abstract art and continues to inspire artists and viewers alike.

The Starry Night. The Starry Night, a moderately abstract landscape painting (1889) of an expressive night sky over a small hillside village, one of Dutch artist Vincent van Gogh's most celebrated works. ... Although van Gogh's subjects were restricted, his style was not.