STARRY NIGHT OVER THE RHONE

Starry Night over the Rhone by Vincent Van Gogh was painted in September 1888.

Van Gogh painted Starry Night over the Rhone on the river bank only a few minutes walk from the Yellow House on the Place Lamartine, Arles where Vincent lived. The effects and memories of the area provided Van Gogh the subject matter for some of his other paintings including Cafe Terrace at Night and The Starry Night.

It must be remembered that artificial lighting was basically still a new thing at that time. The challenge of the night sky and artificial lighting intrigued Vincent. The gas lamps of the era in the distance cast a pale yellow reflection across the water towards the spot where Vincent chose to paint Starry Night over the Rhone. The sky is illuminated by the constellation Ursa Major (the Great Bear). Vincent paints the bright illumination of the stars with their citron-yellow. Van Gogh must have been intrigued by two lovers strolling by the banks of the river and included them in the painting.


Starry Night over the Rhone, c.1888
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Vincent Gogh