The Spanish-born artist Miguel Sopena abstracts the concept of a landscape in his series 'Starry Night', which consists of a group of monochrome paintings in black, white, and grey. He applies layer upon layer of oil paint and marble dust in horizontal bands across the canvas of his painting 'Starry Night I'. The impasto and varying textures create dimension and perspective, suggestive of a landscape referencing van Gogh’s 'Starry Night'.
Both artists restrict their use of tone; Sopena employing a monochrome palette, and Van Gogh using cool tones. Shape and form dominate their abstracted vistas. Sopena’s layered strong horizontal black lines evoke space and direction, while van Gogh’s bold outlines imply energy and movement. In both paintings, the crescent moon takes centre stage at the top of the canvas, providing a focal point for the viewer. Sopena’s muted colour palette implies serenity, and the glimmer of his marble dust gives way to the title 'Starry Night'.
Image: Miguel Sopena, 'Starry Night I’, 2016, oil on canvas, H900 mm x W1200 mm x D50 mm.
Courtesy and © Miguel Sopena, Georgina McConnell and Renee Pfister Art & Gallery Consultancy, 2023.
#miguelsopena #vanGogh #starrynight #oiloncanvas #impasto #reneepfisterartandgalleryconsultancy #powerofart #vangogh #iconicpainting #music #poem #inspiration #nature