The Starry Night — Questions and answers

Read the full story

Why did Vincent van Gogh go to the Saint-Paul-de-Mausole asylum?

Choices

  1. To learn how to paint better
  2. To visit Dr. Théophile Peyron
  3. To find a new place to live
  4. To get help with his mental anguish ✓

Answer: To get help with his mental anguish

From page 2

What did Van Gogh see from his barred window at night that inspired him?

Choices

  1. Only a field of wheat
  2. Sunrise with villagers
  3. The moon, stars, and cypress trees ✓
  4. A quiet, sleeping village

Answer: The moon, stars, and cypress trees

From page 3

What did the cypress trees represent to Van Gogh?

Choices

  1. A bridge between earth and heavens ✓
  2. Just tall, dark trees
  3. A scary, dark flame
  4. A place to hide and sketch

Answer: A bridge between earth and heavens

From page 4

How did Van Gogh want his colors to be used in his painting?

Choices

  1. To look exactly like what he saw
  2. To convey feeling and emotion ✓
  3. To be very light and airy
  4. To be mixed perfectly smooth

Answer: To convey feeling and emotion

From page 5

What was Van Gogh's big breakthrough with "The Starry Night"?

Choices

  1. To paint the sky exactly as it looked
  2. To make the invisible landscape of the soul visible ✓
  3. To use only blue and yellow colors
  4. To paint a perfect village below the stars

Answer: To make the invisible landscape of the soul visible

From page 6

Was the village in "The Starry Night" an exact picture of Saint-Rémy?

Choices

  1. Yes, it was a perfect copy.
  2. No, it was an idealized village from his memories. ✓
  3. Yes, he painted it exactly as he saw it every night.
  4. No, it was a village he visited on vacation.

Answer: No, it was an idealized village from his memories.

From page 7

How was "The Starry Night" received right after Van Gogh painted it?

Choices

  1. It was an immediate success.
  2. It became famous overnight.
  3. It was not an immediate success. ✓
  4. Everyone loved it right away.

Answer: It was not an immediate success.

From page 8

Who was Theo to Vincent van Gogh?

Choices

  1. His art teacher
  2. His helpful brother and confidant ✓
  3. His best friend from the asylum
  4. His imaginary interlocutor

Answer: His helpful brother and confidant

From page 9

Where can you see "The Starry Night" today?

Choices

  1. In a quiet French village museum
  2. At the Museum of Modern Art in New York City ✓
  3. In the Saint-Paul-de-Mausole asylum
  4. In a private art collection in Paris

Answer: At the Museum of Modern Art in New York City

From page 10