The painting became a cliché by the mid 20th century – "the ultimate biscuit tin image of Scotland", in the words of one journalist. The image was used to advertise products from Glenfiddich whiskey to McVitie's shortbread.

The painting depicts a twelve-point red deer stag, named so because of the twelve tines, or points, on his antlers. One of the most popular paintings of the 19th century, it's a romantic evocation of the Scottish Highlands, with the majestic stag a symbol of their wildness and grandeur.

The painter, Edwin Landseer, was renowned for his depictions of animals. Aside from the "Monarch", he's best known for the lion sculptures at the base of Nelson's Column in Trafalgar Square.

Imagined village

Below the exploding stars is an imagined village. The church spire might have been inspired by Van Gogh's native land, the Netherlands.

Flaming tree

Connecting earth and sky is the flamelike cypress, a tree traditionally associated with graveyards and mourning.

Expressionist sky

Van Gogh's night sky is painting in his classic Expressionist style using intense colors.

Morning star

Van Gogh wrote to his brother Theo: "This morning I saw the country from my window a long time before sunrise, with nothing but the morning star, which looked very big." This morning star may be this large white star.