10 Nocturnal Paintings: From Elsheimer's Constellations to Magritte's Moons
DailyArtMagazine highlighted ten significant artworks that portray the night sky, spanning from the early 17th century to the mid-20th century. Featured pieces include Adam Elsheimer's 'The Flight into Egypt' (1609, Alte Pinakothek, Munich), Joseph Wright of Derby's 'Vesuvius in Eruption' (c. 1776–1780, Tate, London), and J. M. W. Turner's 'Fishermen at Sea' (exhibited 1796, Tate, London). Also included are Francisco Goya's 'Witches' Sabbath' (1797–1798, Museo Lázaro Galdiano, Madrid) and James Whistler's 'Nocturne in Black and Gold—The Falling Rocket' (1875, Detroit Institute of Arts). Additional works are Vincent van Gogh's 'Starry Night over the Rhône' (1888), Harald Sohlberg's 'Summer Night' (1899, National Museum of Norway, Oslo), Camille Pissarro's 'The Boulevard Montmartre at Night' (1897, National Gallery, London), Tarsila do Amaral's 'The Moon', and René Magritte's 'The Mysteries of the Horizon'.
Key facts
- The article highlights 10 paintings featuring the night sky, from 1609 to the 1950s.
- Adam Elsheimer's 'The Flight into Egypt' (1609) is one of the first naturalistic night sky paintings in Renaissance art.
- Joseph Wright of Derby's 'Vesuvius in Eruption' is held at Tate, London.
- J. M. W. Turner exhibited 'Fishermen at Sea' at the Royal Academy in 1796.
- James Whistler sued art critic John Ruskin for libel over a review of 'Nocturne in Black and Gold—The Falling Rocket'.
- Vincent van Gogh wrote a letter to his sister in September 1888 stating the night is often more richly colored than the day.
- Harald Sohlberg painted 'Summer Night' in 1899 to celebrate his recent engagement.
- René Magritte's 'The Mysteries of the Horizon' features three identical men with crescent moons.
- Tarsila do Amaral was a member of the Brazilian Modernist Grupo dos Cinco.
Entities
Artists
- Adam Elsheimer
- Joseph Wright of Derby
- J. M. W. Turner
- Francisco Goya
- James Whistler
- Vincent van Gogh
- Harald Sohlberg
- Camille Pissarro
- Tarsila do Amaral
- René Magritte
- Rembrandt
- Peter Paul Rubens
- Philip de Loutherbourg
- Eugène Delacroix
- John Ruskin
- Anita Malfatti
- Menotti del Picchi
- Oswald Andrade
- Maria de Andrade
Institutions
- Alte Pinakothek
- Tate
- Museo Lázaro Galdiano
- Detroit Institute of Arts
- National Museum of Norway
- National Gallery, London
- Royal Academy
- Grosvenor Gallery
- Grupo dos Cinco
Locations
- Munich
- Germany
- London
- United Kingdom
- Madrid
- Spain
- Detroit
- United States
- Oslo
- Norway
- Arles
- France
- Saint-Rémy-de-Provence
- Rome
- Italy
- Naples
- Bay of Naples
- Ischia
- Procida
- Isle of Wight
- River Thames
- Cremorne Gardens
- Kristianiafjord
- Bærum
- Netherlands
- Belgium
- Paris