Vincent van Gogh Print, Café Terrace at Night (1888)

Café Terrace at Night by Vincent van Gogh

Café Terrace at Night is one of Vincent van Gogh’s most celebrated paintings of Arles and an early masterpiece of his fascination with painting the night through colour rather than darkness. Created in September 1888, the scene shows a brightly illuminated café terrace on the Place du Forum beneath a deep blue, star-filled sky.

Van Gogh painted the scene outdoors at night, observing how artificial gaslight transformed the colours around him. Brilliant yellows and oranges illuminate the café and pavement, while dark blue buildings lead the eye towards the starry sky beyond.

Painting the Night without Black

Rather than treating night as a predominantly black or grey subject, Van Gogh built the composition around contrasting warm and cool colours. Golden light from the café becomes even more intense when placed against the surrounding blues, while green and orange accents enliven the terrace.

The perspective of the street draws the viewer deep into the composition, yet the glowing café remains the dominant focal point. Small figures seated beneath the awning bring everyday urban life into one of Van Gogh’s most atmospheric night scenes.

The Place du Forum in Arles

The painting records an identifiable location in central Arles. Van Gogh set up his easel on the Place du Forum and worked directly from the scene, combining careful observation with the heightened colour that increasingly defined his mature style.

The stars are not merely decorative additions. Their placement reflects Van Gogh’s close observation of the actual September night sky.

Café Terrace at Night Prints for Interiors

A Vincent van Gogh Café Terrace at Night print combines rich blue with luminous yellow, making it a striking choice for living rooms, dining rooms, kitchens and hallways. The palette works especially well with navy, teal, ochre, mustard, warm timber and neutral interiors.

Choose the artwork as a fine art print, professionally framed print or canvas panel for a colourful city scene that works as a standalone statement piece or as part of a wider Van Gogh gallery wall.

About Vincent van Gogh

Vincent van Gogh (1853–1890) was a Dutch Post-Impressionist painter whose use of colour and visible brushwork transformed landscape, portraiture, still life and scenes of everyday life. His move to Arles in 1888 produced an exceptionally creative period that included several of his most famous landscapes and night paintings.

Vincent van Gogh’s Painting Style

Van Gogh increasingly used colour for expressive effect rather than simply reproducing natural appearance. In Café Terrace at Night, complementary blues and yellows create luminosity and atmosphere, while directional brushwork gives texture to the street, buildings and night sky.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did Van Gogh paint Café Terrace at Night?

Van Gogh painted the work in Arles in September 1888.

Where is the café in the painting?

The scene is on the Place du Forum in Arles, southern France.

Where is the original Café Terrace at Night?

The original painting belongs to the Kröller-Müller Museum in the Netherlands.

What formats are available?

GalleryThane offers the artwork as a fine art print, framed print and canvas panel in a choice of sizes.

All orders for unframed fine art prints and original paintings are dispatched within 2 working days of receipt of payment.

Orders for custom framed prints are dispatched within 4 working days.

All orders are fully tracked from dispatch to delivery at your home or business.

All print and original painting orders are fully insured against loss or damage in transit. We refund or replace any damaged or lost orders.

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Fine art papers are printed without any additional white border Please let us know at the time of ordering if you would like a small additional white border.

Rolled canvas options have an additional white border of approximately 2.5 inches (7cm) on all 4 sides to aid stretching.

Ready to hang canvas panels are stretched on 1.5 inch deep solid pine frames from sustainable forestry sources. The image is mirrored on all 4 sides to give an aesthetically pleasing finish.

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