Residents of Ottawa were treated to a rare spectacle last week, reminiscent of a Vincent Van Gogh masterpiece. The swirling clouds and colours of the morning sky resembled the iconic “Starry Night," delighting art lovers and spectators alike in the Canadian capital.
The breathtaking display, first captured and shared by an Ottawa resident on Facebook on October 8, quickly went viral across social media platforms. The post’s caption read, “Earlier this evening in Byward… felt like I was in a Van Gogh painting." Commenters also eagerly drew comparisons to the famous painting, expressing their awe.
A user commented saying, “Maybe he wasn’t tripping after all", referencing the fact that the painting was created while Van Gogh was in an asylum.
Another said, “It looks like the starry night painting minus the stars."
“So amazing! Maybe this is what sort of clouds inspired him," read a comment.
People also claimed that the snap triggered different emotions. “This picture triggers something in me. I don’t know if it’s fear or fascination".
“It’s both scary and beautiful at the same time", read a comment
Meanwhile, the majority of the users highlighted that these were “Mammatus clouds."
The Met Office states that Mammatus clouds, which have a succession of bulges or pouches protruding from the underside of a cloud, are among the most peculiar and distinctive cloud forms. Cumulonimbus clouds, which produce thunderstorms because of their massive quantity of unstable air, are frequently associated with Mammatus clouds. In addition to the possibility of hail, severe rain and lightning in the area, Mammatus clouds tend to develop in a highly unstable cumulonimbus. If the air is sufficiently cold during the winter, they may also produce snow.
The Starry Night is an oil-on-canvas painting created by Dutch Post-Impressionist artist Vincent van Gogh in June 1889. Considered one of his most famous works, it depicts a swirling night sky filled with dark clouds, bright stars, and a half-moon rising over a tranquil village. The painting has been a permanent exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City since 1941.
Van Gogh painted The Starry Night while staying at the Saint-Paul-de-Mausole asylum in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, France, following a severe mental breakdown that led to his admission to the facility. During his time at the asylum, he observed the views from his barred window. However, he created this iconic piece from memory and imagination, as he was not free to roam outside.
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