Café Terrace at Night

“Café Terrace at Night” (1888) by Vincent van Gogh
In Café Terrace at Night, Vincent van Gogh captures the vibrant nighttime atmosphere of a café in Arles, France, on the Place du Forum. The brightly lit yellow café dominates the left side, casting a warm glow over patrons seated at tables. This warm light contrasts sharply with the deep, rich blues of the night sky, which is dotted with stars. Van Gogh’s energetic, expressive brushstrokes bring a sense of movement to the scene, from the glowing windows and gaslights to the cobbled streets. The painting is immersive, placing viewers on the street with a glimpse into the lively night scene around the café​

Van Gogh created Café Terrace at Night during his time in Arles, where he was inspired by the colors and vibrant light of southern France. Painted in September 1888, this work is part of Van Gogh’s exploration of nocturnal scenes without the use of black. At the time, depicting night scenes in color was unconventional, but Van Gogh believed that “the night is more alive and more richly colored than the day.” This painting marks the first in his trilogy of starry night scenes, preceding Starry Night Over the Rhône and his iconic The Starry Night​

Van Gogh used oil on canvas, employing bold, thick brushstrokes that define the forms and create texture. His palette includes vivid yellows, greens, and oranges for the café, set against deep blues and purples for the sky and surrounding buildings. Remarkably, Van Gogh avoided using black entirely, instead relying on contrasting colors to convey shadows and depth. His dynamic composition creates a sense of depth through foreshortening, with smaller, distant figures and objects that lead the viewer’s gaze deeper into the street scene​

Café Terrace at Night is often interpreted as more than a simple café scene. Some scholars have noted its possible allusion to The Last Supper, with the café waiter resembling Christ and the café patrons symbolizing the apostles. The choice of colors and the interplay of artificial and celestial light evoke a sense of harmony between the human-made and natural worlds. This painting reflects Van Gogh’s fascination with capturing the spiritual beauty of ordinary settings and his belief in finding divinity in everyday life​

This painting has become one of Van Gogh’s most iconic works and a hallmark of Post-Impressionism. Café Terrace at Night stands out for its pioneering use of color in depicting night scenes, which has inspired countless artists to experiment with light and color in new ways. Today, it is celebrated for its unique composition, emotional depth, and the way it invites viewers to experience the beauty of an ordinary evening. The café depicted in the painting, now called Café Van Gogh, still operates in Arles, allowing visitors to connect with the artist’s legacy​

Add a touch of artistic ambiance to your home with “Café Terrace at Night” (1888) by Vincent van Gogh. This gallery-wrapped canvas print brings to life the vibrancy of Van Gogh’s night scene, capturing the iconic starry sky, warm café lights, and the lively café-goers. Available in multiple sizes and framed in walnut or black, this piece allows you to experience Van Gogh’s world from your own space. Perfect for creating a dynamic focal point, this artwork celebrates the beauty of color and light in the everyday.