Cafe Terrace at Night 1888 By Vincent van Gogh

Cafe Terrace at Night by Vincent van Gogh (1888)

Café Terrace at Night, titled initially Coffeehouse in the Evening, is one of Vincent van Gogh’s most famous paintings. Created in 1888 in Arles, France, this oil painting is a defining example of Post Impressionism, celebrated for its expressive color, nocturnal setting, and innovative depiction of artificial light.

Although the painting is unsigned, scholars have verified its authenticity and date through multiple letters written by van Gogh, making it one of the best-documented works of his Arles period.

Where Is Café Terrace at Night Located?

Also known as The Café Terrace on the Place du Forum, the painting depicts a real café in Arles, southern France, where van Gogh lived from 1888 to 1889.

• The café stood on the northeast corner of the Place du Forum
• The site was refurbished in 1991
• Rue du Palais appears in the background, fading into darkness

Today, visitors can stand at the exact location where van Gogh painted the scene directly from life.

How did Arles Influence Van Gogh’s Art?

During his stay in Arles, Vincent van Gogh created over 300 paintings and drawings, marking one of the most productive periods of his career. Major works from this time include:

• Bedroom in Arles (1888)
• Wheat Stacks in Provence (1888)
• Portrait of Doctor Félix Rey (1889)

Van Gogh invited Paul Gauguin to join him in Arles in the hope of establishing an artists’ community, but the experiment ultimately ended in personal and emotional turmoil.

Van Gogh’s Mental Health During the Arles Period?

Despite his artistic success, van Gogh’s mental health declined significantly during his time in Arles. His increasingly unstable behavior culminated in the self-mutilation of his ear, after which he received treatment at the Old Hospital of Arles, located close to the café depicted in the painting.

When his condition failed to improve, residents petitioned for his removal, leading to his admission to the Saint-Paul-de-Mausole asylum in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, where he later painted The Starry Night.

Why Did van Gogh paint Café Terrace at Night?

Van Gogh painted Café Terrace at Night during a period of emotional and spiritual crisis. In letters to his brother Theo, he expressed a “terrible need for religion,” which influenced his focus on night scenes, stars, and illuminated public spaces.

The café was a familiar place. In October 1888, van Gogh wrote to Belgian painter Eugène Boch that he had painted “the café where we used to go together,” grounding the work in everyday life rather than imagination.

Artificial Light and Modern Life

The painting also reflects technological progress in 19th-century France. Van Gogh was fascinated by new gas-powered street lighting, which allowed him to explore how artificial light transformed color, shadow, and atmosphere after dark.

What Did Van Gogh Write About Café Terrace at Night?

Van Gogh discussed the painting in three surviving letters. He described:

• The small figures drinking at tables
• The large yellow streetlamp
• The cobblestones, pavement, and building façades

He also wrote of how he “enormously enjoyed painting on the spot at night,” emphasizing his desire to capture the true colors of darkness rather than relying on black paint.

Literary and Astronomical References

In one letter, van Gogh referenced Henri Maupassant’s novel Bel-Ami, noting similarities in descriptions of illuminated cafés, while emphasizing that Maupassant never included a starry sky, a central feature of his own painting.

Modern astronomical research has confirmed that the stars depicted match the Arles night sky of mid-September 1888, allowing scholars to date the painting to September 16–17, 1888.

Museum Collection and Legacy of Café Terrace at Night

Selected by collectors and art enthusiasts alike, Café Terrace at Night stands among the most popular works in our curated collection. The original painting by Vincent van Gogh is held in the Kröller-Müller Museum in the Netherlands, one of the world’s most respected institutions for Post-Impressionist art, further underscoring the artwork’s enduring cultural and historical significance.

Museum-Quality Oil Painting Reproductions

Famous paintings by Vincent van Gogh are available in our extensive catalog of oil painting reproductions. Our paintings are created with careful attention to brushwork, color harmony, and historical accuracy.