Café Terrace at Night (Place du Forum, Arles)
Original: Painting on oil-primed canvas. Image shown: Mass-produced reproduction (likely a poster or puzzle box). • Vincent van Gogh (Dutch, 1853–1890)
Style & Movement
Post-Impressionism
Medium & Technique
Original: Oil on canvas using thick impasto brushwork, vibrant color theory, and no black paint for the night sky (utilizing violet, blue, and green). Technique involves wet-on-wet application.
Creation Period
Original created in September 1888. Image shown: Contemporary 21st-century commercial reproduction.
Dimensions & Format
Original: 80.7 cm × 65.3 cm (31.8 in × 25.7 in). Format: Vertical portrait.
Subject Description
A view of the lighted terrace of the coffee house at the Place du Forum in Arles at night. To the left is the glowing yellow café under a starry blue sky; to the right are the dark façades of old houses and a green tree. The composition uses a strong diagonal perspective leading into the street.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair (as a reproduction). The image is a low-resolution photographic print on a glossy commercial substrate with visible blurring and cropping.
Estimated Market Value
Original: Inestimable/Museum-owned (estimated $200M+ if sold). Reproduction shown: $5 – $30 USD.
Auction Estimate
Reproduction shown: Not applicable for fine art auction (thrift value only).
Provenance History
Original is held in the Kröller-Müller Museum, Otterlo, Netherlands. The specific item pictured appears to be from a retail collection or puzzle packaging (labeled 'MASTERPIECES').
Art Historical Significance
One of Van Gogh's most famous works, it is notable for being the first time he painted a starry background. It marks a transition in his style toward the expressive use of color and light as psychological tools rather than purely representative ones.
Notable Features
Features the 'Starry Night' motif before the 1889 painting of that name; lacks any black paint for the night sky; utilizes complementary colors (yellow/orange vs. blue/violet) to create visual vibration.
Condition Issues
Reproduction shown has chromatic aberration, low resolution, possible surface scuffing from handling, and is part of a non-archival commercial print run.
Conservation Recommendations
For the reproduction: Keep out of direct sunlight to prevent ink fading. For the original: Strictly regulated light levels (50 lux), climate control (20°C, 50% RH), and UV-filtering glaze.