The painting Starry Night was painted by which artist?

• A. Claude Monet
• B. Vincent van Gogh
• C. Paul Cezanne
• D. Salvador Dali

Answer: (B)

Starry Night shows Vincent van Gogh’s distinctive style: a swirling, luminous night sky filled with bright stars and a glowing moon, bold color contrasts, and thick, textured brushstrokes (impasto) that give the scene a sense of movement and emotion. Painted in 1889 during his stay at an asylum in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, the work also features a tall, dark cypress tree and a quiet village below, elements van Gogh used to merge the earthly with the dreamlike. This combination—expressive line work, vibrant yellows and blues, and a textured surface—embodies van Gogh’s approach to conveying feeling rather than exact likeness. The other artists listed are known for different styles: Monet emphasizes light and atmosphere with softer, more delicate brushwork; Cézanne focuses on solid forms and structure; Dalí is linked to surreal, dreamlike imagery. Starry Night clearly aligns with van Gogh’s expressive, post-impressionist approach.