About This Lesson
Learn about the art and artists that inspired Vincent van Gogh’s The Starry Night and how the painting in turn inspired ekphrastic poetry and music.
In addition to exploring van Gogh’s ambitions and inspirations, the interactive gallery walk analyzes how The Starry Night inspired the poet W.D. Snodgrass and the musician Don McLean 100 years later. This includes detailed teaching strategies and models for analyzing ekphrastic poetry. In this inquiry-based teaching resource you will have an opportunity to:
- Analyze 23 of van Gogh’s most acclaimed paintings
- Study excerpts from 33 letters that reveal van Gogh’s aspirations and challenges
- Read excerpts from 18 van Gogh biographies
- Savor an in-depth analysis of W.D. Snodgrass’ poem The Starry Night
- Close read the lyrics to Don McLean’s Vincent (Starry Starry Night)
