Café Terrace at Night by Vincent van Gogh

“Café Terrace at Night” by Vincent van Gogh – A Quick Look

Café Terrace at Night by Vincent van Gogh was painted in 1888 in mid-September in Arles, France. The exact Café Terrace at Night’s real location in the painting is the Place du Forum. This location in real life was changed in 1991 so that it looked more like the scene in the Café Terrace at Night painting. Join us below as we found out more about this famous painting of this café in Arles!

 

 

Exploring the Café Terrace at Night by Vincent van Gogh

ArtistVincent van Gogh
Date Completed1888
MediumOil on canvas
Dimensions (cm)80 x 65
LocationKröller-Müller Museum, Otterlo, the Netherlands

Van Gogh expressed his delight in a letter to his sister after the painting’s completion. In it, he said that for the previous few days, a fresh painting of the exterior of a café in the evening had kept him quite occupied. He recounted how there were little figures of individuals drinking on the balcony. A massive yellow lantern illuminated the terrace, the façade, the sidewalk, and even cast light into the street’s cobblestones, giving them a violet-pink hue.

The homes on a street that branched off beneath a star-studded blue sky had violet or dark blue gables, and there was a green tree in the middle of the street.

He imagined a night scene painted without the color black. This can be seen in the artwork. The color black is not utilized to represent the night sky or even shaded structures. Instead, it is employed to construct the cobblestones and some of the characters in the picture, reducing them to minor elements. Van Gogh discovered that he could only capture the genuine colors he observed at the moment by being there in person.

Who Painted the Terrace at Night PaintingSelf-portrait with grey felt hat (1887) by Vincent van Gogh; Vincent van Gogh, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

With nothing but stunning violet, blue, and green, and in this setting, the illuminated square was painted a delicate lemon and green. He continued by saying how much he loved painting outside at night. They used to sketch and paint the image from the drawing during the daylight in the past. But he discovered that painting the object right soon was to his advantage.

Since it’s difficult to distinguish the tone properly in the dark, he said that frequently he would mistake a green for a blue and a pink lilac for a blue lilac.

 

Background of the Café Terrace at Night Painting

The work of art is significant not just for its visual merit, but also for representing a watershed moment in van Gogh’s life and creative approach. It was painted during Vincent van Gogh’s stay in Arles, a town in southern France. The Place du Forum, a plaza in Arles, is the precise site shown in the masterpiece. Van Gogh often visited Café Terrace, which appears with its distinctive outside dining area and lit façade.

The café was situated at the square’s eastern end. Van Gogh was attracted to the brilliant colors and energetic atmosphere of Arles during his time there.

He wanted to convey his fascination with the combination of artificial light and darkness by capturing the atmosphere of the night scene in Café Terrace. The artwork contrasts the bright blue of the night sky and the buildings that surround it with warm, golden tones that depict the café’s interior. A café terrace at night, Van Gogh’s choice of subject matter, corresponds to his desire to capture images from ordinary life. It also demonstrates his desire to investigate his subjects’ psychological and emotional characteristics.

Drawing for the Terrace at Night PaintingA sketch of Café Terrace at Night by Vincent van Gogh, September 1888; Vincent van Gogh, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Café Terrace at Night by Vincent van Gogh was made during the artist’s busy and emotionally turbulent spell in Arles. He arrived in February 1888, looking for a break from the frantic pace of Paris. The Dutch artist was inspired by the landscapes and local culture at Arles.

This period in his life saw the emergence of his particular style, which was distinguished by aggressive brushwork, brilliant colors, and expressive shapes.

 

 

Description of Café Terrace at Night by Vincent van Gogh

This vibrant outdoor view painting is a gorgeous work, offering an image of a relaxed observer who appreciates the pleasure of his surroundings without any concern. It echoes Van Gogh’s sentiment when he stated, “The night seems more alive and brilliantly colored than the day”. The color is more vibrant, and the eye is drawn to the dove-tailed edges of adjoining regions – irregular patterns that fit together like a jigsaw puzzle. Dividing this area into foreground and backdrop themes is challenging for the eyes; the faraway and closer sections are equally distinct.

The yellow of the café contrasts with the foreground door’s violet blue, and the distant street’s blue-black tones, in a compositional paradox that serves to unify the piece, the awning’s corner closest to us brushes the distant dark-blue sky.

Lines that are foreshortened and forced into depth, such as the entrance lintel, are perfectly parallel to those that are positioned perpendicular to the first, such as the yellow awning’s slope and the house’s roof above. The starry sky silhouette is crucial to the overall patterning; the lyrical theme of the artwork – the contrast of the night sky and cafe, and the double illumination, is created through this jagged framework.

Café Terrace at Night Real LocationTerrace of the café on the Place du Forum in Arles in the evening or Café Terrace at Night (1888) by Vincent van Gogh; Vincent van Gogh, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The inverted form of the blue sky is shown in the shadow of the orange café floor and the surrounding doors and window; the distributed disks of stars correspond to the elliptical tables beneath. The striking contrast between the warm green, yellow, and orange colors under the awning and the starry sky’s deep blues, which is enhanced by the dark blue of the homes in the distance, is the painting’s most eye-catching feature.

Van Gogh was satisfied with the result: “I am of the opinion that an abundance of gaslight, which, after all, is orange and yellow, enhances the blue”.

 

Analysis of the Café Terrace at Night Painting

According to Jared Baxter’s scholarly presentation of Café Terrace at Night by Vincent van Gogh, which he presented at the 2013 European Conference on Arts and Humanities, Van Gogh’s artwork has similarities to Da Vinci’s The Last Supper. A detailed examination of the picture reveals that the major characters comprise one center person with long hair encircled by 12 people, a cross glows in the composition’s backdrop, and Van Gogh has placed more cross-like forms throughout the work of art.

A dark figure sneaking through the threshold might be Judas. A religious reference would not be out of style for Van Gogh.

Prior to becoming a painter, the famed Dutch artist desired to “preach the gospel everywhere”, and Theodorus van Gogh, the artist’s father, was a Dutch Reformed church pastor. Van Gogh wrote to Theo van Gogh, his brother, around the time he began working on the work of art, stating that he felt a “huge need for religion”, directly referencing the painting.

 

Use of Contrasting Colors

The artwork is filled with vibrant hues, as one would expect from van Gogh. A bold blend of bright oranges and yellows against deep greens and blues. The colors aren’t exactly realistic, but they get the job done. Vincent van Gogh had a talent for combining vibrant colors without making them look gaudy or overbearing. Rather than depending just on observation, he painted from passion and instinct.

He paid great attention but was not constrained by what he saw. Look at the stars: he placed them exactly while exaggerating the way they appeared. That is maybe why his art is so unique and distinctive. He documented his perceptions, interpretations, and experiences of the world.

The use of color gradation softens the stark contrast between blue and yellow. Take note of how the yellow light on the wall gradually changes to green. The green eventually changes to blue near the peak of the structure. That pale blue gives way to the deep blue of the sky. Color is used by Van Gogh to guide us through the picture. Van Gogh used black to outline the painting and to highlight the dark structures in the distance. By contrast, the choice of black makes the sky appear alive and full of color.

Colors in the Terrace at Night PaintingUse of color in Café Terrace at Night (1888) by Vincent van Gogh; Vincent van Gogh, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The contrast between the lantern-lit café and the sky is the true focal point for the eyes. The vivid yellow that Vincent van Gogh dedicated to the lantern’s illumination makes it as bright and welcoming as sunlight. The light is so brilliant that it is impossible to see the shape of the lantern from whence it emanates, similar to staring straight at the sun. Its vibrancy draws the people in the artwork in. The dark blue-greens on the buildings in the backdrop only serve to emphasize how people are drawn into the café’s light.

He takes particular care to mix the yellow into the surrounding walls, the chairs’ cushions, the tables, and the ground. It evokes balmy Southern France summer evenings, enjoying a drink and relaxing as time passes. The deep blue of the sky contrasts rather sharply with the vivid yellow and white stars. It replicates the contrast between the bright orange and yellow café in the front and the calm green and blue environment.

As previously said, van Gogh worked on location at night. If you’ve ever attempted to paint at night, then you know it’s an almost impossible task. It’s difficult to see what you’re creating. Your palette’s colors appear to be different. Yellows don’t really look like normal yellows, and reds don’t look like they usually do either. You’re navigating the dark, both metaphorically and literally. In a letter to his sister, Van Gogh accepted the task and emphasized that it was the only way he could authentically represent the night’s splendor.

 

Use of Light and Shadow

When viewed in grayscale, the values of the painting become more apparent. The lively café stands out from the rest of the artwork. As a result, there is a contrast in both color (yellow vs blue) and value (bright versus shadow).  The sky seems darker in grayscale when compared to the full-color version. The grayscale also reveals an intriguing pattern: the lower left corner is bright with dark accents, whereas the top right corner is dark with lighter accents.

Although certain paintings, particularly van Gogh’s, are best seen in color, grayscale viewing often exposes value patterns that would otherwise be missed.

 

Outlining and Brushwork

Van Gogh’s brushwork was blocky and linear. This produces intriguing textures and patterns. Take note of how his brushwork adheres to the curves of the subjects. He painted the walls with vertical brushwork, the café ceiling with diagonal brushwork, the sky with a tiling pattern, and the ground with horizontal dabs.

Aside from that, his brushwork is the same regardless of the topic (he utilized the same linear brushstrokes for the buildings as he used for the sky).

Brushwork in the Terrace at Night PaintingBrushwork in Café Terrace at Night (1888) by Vincent van Gogh; Vincent van Gogh, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

He used outlining to reinforce shapes. Take a look at the seats and tables, the edges and decoration of the structures, and the individuals who are strolling along the streets. Edgar Degas utilized a similar method to convey shape by painting with flat planes of color and sharp edges.

 

Composition

The composition of this painting offers a great feeling of perspective. Take note of how the margins of the horizon line converge towards a vanishing point (which is obscured behind the buildings). These cityscapes are ideal for portraying a linear perspective. It’s more difficult with landscapes because you’re usually working with organic shapes. The painting’s sides are framed by the dark entryway on the left and the dark structures on the right. They focus our attention on the glowing spots in the center.

The busy café serves as the main focal point, yet it does not overpower the image. It competes against the deep blues and dazzling stars of the night sky.

 

Textures

With his deft brushstrokes, Vincent van Gogh portrays the nuances of the night environment. The cobblestones are bumps on the ground waiting to catch the carriage nearing the café from behind. The strokes on the awning and walls are smooth and leisurely. The tree fronds in the foreground almost bristle off the painting into the observer’s space. He paints swirls of white paint over the margins of the sky and buildings to simulate clouds. He portrays a moment, a story about a night in an Arlesian café, through his skillful manipulation of the paintbrush.

Texture in the Terrace at Night PaintingTexture in Café Terrace at Night (1888) by Vincent van Gogh; Vincent van Gogh, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

 

 

The Lasting Legacy of the Café Terrace at Night Painting

This famous painting exemplifies Vincent van Gogh’s particular style, which can be identified by aggressive brushwork, vivid colors, and emotional intensity. The Café Terrace at Night painting, along with several others from his Arles period, contributed to his reputation as one of the most prominent post-impressionist painters in the world. The representation of a night landscape in the painting, as well as its combination of warm artificial dark and light blue colors, exemplifies van Gogh’s interest in color and light.

This color exploration, as well as Vincent van Gogh’s creative use of complementary hues, impacted future generations of painters. The painting has become a symbol of van Gogh’s oeuvre, often considered one of his most identifiable and revered works.

Terrace at Night PaintingThe Yellow House or The Street (1888) by Vincent van Gogh; Vincent van Gogh, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

It is often replicated and referred to in popular culture, establishing its significant position in art history. It has influenced innumerable artists and continues to captivate modern viewers. Its impact may be observed in a variety of subsequent artistic styles, notably those focusing on color theory, expressionism, and expressing a scene’s emotional essence.

 

The Café Terrace at Night painting is one of a series of great artworks created by Vincent van Gogh, a prominent Dutch artist. Van Gogh suffered from a string of disastrous love failures, which exacerbated his lifelong mental condition. His sole solace used to be soaking in the environment around him and transferring it to canvas. During one of his rare periods of being able to paint, he made Café Terrace at Night, one of his most stunning works of art produced during his short life. An interesting fact is that this artwork was titled Coffee House, in the Evening during its first official exhibition in 1891.

 

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Where Is the Café Terrace at Night’s Real Location?

The scene in the painting is a cafe in Arles, France. Today, the actual painting can be found in the Kröller-Müller Museum in Otterlo, Netherlands. The real café terrace that inspired the artwork may still be found in Place du Forum in Arles, just next to where Van Gogh created this masterpiece. However, it is now known as Café Van Gogh and has become something of a mecca for Van Gogh enthusiasts. The numerous subjects in the painting’s arrangement are painted flat, and exquisite outlines in black define the artwork in a characteristic Cloissonist manner.

 

Did Stars Appear Often in Van Gogh’s Paintings?

This was the first in a sequence of paintings in which he employed starry backgrounds, which required a night sky. Van Gogh’s renewed interest in religion led to his stargazing. Religion seems to fill the void left by love. There were many other paintings that followed that also featured stars, but his most famous was most likely the Starry Night (1889).  

 

Cite this Article

Jordan, Anthony, ““Café Terrace at Night” by Vincent van Gogh – A Quick Look.” artfilemagazine – Your Online Art Source. June 1, 2023. URL: https://artfilemagazine.com/cafe-terrace-at-night-by-vincent-van-gogh/

Anthony, J. (2023, 1 June). “Café Terrace at Night” by Vincent van Gogh – A Quick Look. artfilemagazine – Your Online Art Source. https://artfilemagazine.com/cafe-terrace-at-night-by-vincent-van-gogh/

Anthony, Jordan. ““Café Terrace at Night” by Vincent van Gogh – A Quick Look.” artfilemagazine – Your Online Art Source, June 1, 2023. https://artfilemagazine.com/cafe-terrace-at-night-by-vincent-van-gogh/.

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