““Starry Starry Night (Vincent)”Starry Starry Night (Vincent)”

A Song About An ArtistA Song About An Artist

Starry Night – the PaintingStarry Night – the Painting

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXP7JMpiJEU

Songwriting TalentSongwriting Talent

Don McLean's superstar status is largely Don McLean's superstar status is largely due to his remarkable song, “American Pie” due to his remarkable song, “American Pie” which, in 2000, once again topped the which, in 2000, once again topped the charts worldwide, when recorded by charts worldwide, when recorded by Madonna. Back in 1972, '. Back in 1972, 'Vincent' ('Starry ' ('Starry Starry Night'), taken from the 'American Pie' Starry Night'), taken from the 'American Pie' album gave Don McLean a second number album gave Don McLean a second number one hit single and another landmark entry in one hit single and another landmark entry in the history of popular music. the history of popular music.

Vincent van GoghVincent van Gogh

McLean was primarily McLean was primarily singing in elementary singing in elementary schools and the like schools and the like when in 1970 he wrote when in 1970 he wrote a musical tribute to a musical tribute to painter Vincent van painter Vincent van Gogh Gogh

Don McLeanDon McLean

"Vincent" was also a "Vincent" was also a smash, and Don smash, and Don McLean even became McLean even became the subject of the the subject of the Roberta Flack hit hit "Killing Me Softly With "Killing Me Softly With His Song" (later His Song" (later recorded by The recorded by The Fugees)Fugees)

Famous ArtistFamous Artist

Vincent van Gogh is well-regarded as one of Vincent van Gogh is well-regarded as one of the greatest and most famous artists, ever. the greatest and most famous artists, ever. His life and work have inspired and His life and work have inspired and influenced much of art history since his influenced much of art history since his tragic death in 1890. In fact, what many tragic death in 1890. In fact, what many people today consider to be the archetypal people today consider to be the archetypal "artist persona" is largely a result of his "artist persona" is largely a result of his influence. influence.

Self Portrait 1888Self Portrait 1888

van Gogh’s Famous Sunflowersvan Gogh’s Famous Sunflowers

BiographyBiography

Vincent van GoghVincent van Gogh was born in the was born in the Netherlands on March 30, 1853. His mother Netherlands on March 30, 1853. His mother had given birth to a stillborn baby one year had given birth to a stillborn baby one year earlier, also on March 30. That baby had earlier, also on March 30. That baby had also been named Vincent. Over the course also been named Vincent. Over the course of his 37 years, Vincent painted some of the of his 37 years, Vincent painted some of the most most renowned paintingsrenowned paintings of our time and of our time and went a little went a little crazycrazy in the process. in the process.

Potato EatersPotato Eaters

Vincent van Gogh's Early YearsVincent van Gogh's Early Years

Vincent van Gogh quit school when he was only 15 and Vincent van Gogh quit school when he was only 15 and headed off to England in 1869. There he began a career headed off to England in 1869. There he began a career not as a painter but as an art dealer with the firm not as a painter but as an art dealer with the firm Goupil & Goupil & CieCie. Van Gogh spent seven years with the firm, but . Van Gogh spent seven years with the firm, but became unhappy and decided to try his hand teaching at a became unhappy and decided to try his hand teaching at a Catholic schoolCatholic school for boys. In the following years, Vincent for boys. In the following years, Vincent went from went from job to jobjob to job, living in various cities in , living in various cities in EuropeEurope. .

Finally in 1880, van Gogh decided to head to Brussels to Finally in 1880, van Gogh decided to head to Brussels to begin studies in art. begin studies in art.

During the next ten years, Vincent van Gogh painted During the next ten years, Vincent van Gogh painted 872 872 paintingspaintings. .

The Famous Vincent van GoghThe Famous Vincent van Gogh

Although Vincent van Although Vincent van Gogh is a Gogh is a world-famous world-famous artistartist today, he did not get today, he did not get much much recognitionrecognition during during his lifetime. his lifetime.

Van Gogh only sold Van Gogh only sold one one paintingpainting while he was while he was alive, which was alive, which was Red Red Vineyard at ArlesVineyard at Arles. For . For most of his life he was very most of his life he was very poor, often spending poor, often spending money on art suppliesmoney on art supplies instead of food. instead of food.

Vincent van Gogh's Dark SideVincent van Gogh's Dark Side

Vincent also suffered from Vincent also suffered from severe depressionsevere depression and was and was admitted to an admitted to an asylumasylum in in December 1888, after chopping December 1888, after chopping off his own ear. He was in and off his own ear. He was in and out of asylums for the next year. out of asylums for the next year. It is now thought that Vincent It is now thought that Vincent van Gogh was actually van Gogh was actually epileptic epileptic but, but, throughout his life, people throughout his life, people thought he had thought he had fits of insanity.fits of insanity.

While in the asylum Vincent While in the asylum Vincent

painted one of his best-known painted one of his best-known paintings, paintings, Starry NightStarry Night

Self PortraitSelf Portrait

SuicideSuicide

In mid-May 1890, Vincent left the asylum In mid-May 1890, Vincent left the asylum and spent the last few months of his life in and spent the last few months of his life in Auvers, France. On July 27, 1890 Vincent Auvers, France. On July 27, 1890 Vincent van Gogh van Gogh shot himselfshot himself in the chest with a in the chest with a revolver. Two days later he died with his revolver. Two days later he died with his younger brotheryounger brother, Theo, by his side. , Theo, by his side.

Vincent’s BedroomVincent’s Bedroom

Portrait by Vincent van GoghPortrait by Vincent van Gogh

For the last few months of van Gogh's life, For the last few months of van Gogh's life, he was seeing Dr. Gachet about his he was seeing Dr. Gachet about his mental mental instabilityinstability. Van Gogh's . Van Gogh's Portrait of Dr. Portrait of Dr. GachetGachet remains one of the remains one of the most expensivemost expensive paintings in the world. In 1990 a Japanese paintings in the world. In 1990 a Japanese businessman paid $82.5 million for the businessman paid $82.5 million for the painting. Since his death in 1996, the painting. Since his death in 1996, the painting has not been seen. painting has not been seen.

Portrait of Dr GachetPortrait of Dr Gachet

Vincent by Don McLeanVincent by Don McLean

Starry, starry night Starry, starry night Paint your palette blue and grey Paint your palette blue and grey

Look out on a summer's day Look out on a summer's day With eyes that know the darkness in my soul With eyes that know the darkness in my soul

Shadows on the hills Shadows on the hills Sketch the trees and daffodils Sketch the trees and daffodils

Catch the breeze and the winter chills Catch the breeze and the winter chills In colours on the snowy linen land In colours on the snowy linen land