Who painted Starry Night?

Starry Night was painted by Edvard Munch in 1922.

Where can I see Starry Night?

Starry Night is held by Munch Museum.

What movement is Starry Night?

Starry Night is associated with Post-Impressionism.

Can I buy a print of Starry Night?

Museum-quality prints of Starry Night are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Starry Night

Edvard Munch , 1922

Starry Night is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Edvard Munch. It dates from 1922 and is held in the collection of the Munch Museum.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1922, this oil painting by Norwegian artist Edvard Munch presents a nocturnal landscape dominated by a turbulent sky. The composition balances a dark, swirling heavens with a quiet waterfront scene, where a bridge spans water and distant structures emit a faint glow. The work resides in the collection of the Munch Museum in Oslo.

Subject & Meaning

The canvas depicts a night setting in which the sky appears almost alive, its restless brushwork suggesting emotional turbulence. A solitary tree and jagged shoreline silhouettes frame the scene, while the illuminated buildings across the water hint at distant human presence, inviting contemplation of isolation and inner unrest.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil, the painting employs thick, uneven strokes characteristic of post‑impressionist vigor. Munch’s application of impasto creates a textured surface, especially in the sky where blues and greens swirl in rough, tactile layers. The overall effect emphasizes movement and psychological intensity.

History & Provenance

Munch produced the work during a period of intense exploration of psychological states, following his formal training at the Royal School of Art and Design in Kristiania (now Oslo). Influenced by contemporary nihilist thought, he integrated these ideas into his visual language. The piece has remained in the Munch Museum’s holdings since its acquisition.

Context

The painting belongs to Munch’s later oeuvre, when he revisited landscape motifs to convey inner experience rather than external realism. Its nocturnal atmosphere and turbulent sky echo the artist’s ongoing preoccupation with existential themes, aligning with broader post‑impressionist trends toward expressive color and form.