Starry Night Over the Rhône
Painting, Oil on Canvas • Vincent van Gogh
Style & Movement
Post-Impressionism
Medium & Technique
Oil paint using heavy impasto, wet-on-wet technique, and short, rhythmic brushstrokes characteristic of Post-Impressionism.
Creation Period
September 1888
Dimensions & Format
72.5 cm × 92 cm (28.5 in × 36.2 in); Landscape format
Subject Description
A night landscape of the Rhône river in Arles under a gaslit sky. The Big Dipper (Ursa Major) is visible in the starry sky, which is reflected in the water. In the foreground, a couple strolls along the bank. The composition focuses on the contrast between the artificial golden gaslights of the town and the natural light of the stars.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Excellent (Museum Grade); well-preserved with typical age-related craquelure.
Estimated Market Value
Inestimable (Cultural Heritage); if sold, likely exceeding $250 million-$350 million.
Auction Estimate
$200 million - $400 million+ (theoretical)
Provenance History
First exhibited at the Salon des Indépendants in 1889. Passed through the hands of Theo van Gogh, Jo van Gogh-Bonger, and later acquired by the French state. Now part of the permanent collection of the Musée d'Orsay, Paris.
Art Historical Significance
A masterpiece of Van Gogh's Arles period, demonstrating his fascination with the night sky prior to the more turbulent 'The Starry Night' (1889). It shows his evolving color theory and use of light as a carrier of emotion.
Notable Features
Distinguished by the use of Prussian blue and ultramarine; the presence of the Great Bear constellation; visible thick ridges of paint that catch the light, adding physical texture to the water's reflection.
Condition Issues
Stable craquelure throughout the impasto areas; minor yellowing of the original varnish which is managed by museum climate control.
Conservation Recommendations
Maintain strict museum environmental controls (20°C, 50% RH). Low-UV lighting (max 50 lux) is required to prevent pigment degradation.