Café Terrace at Night - Vincent Van Gogh, 1888
Café Terrace at Night - Vincent Van Gogh, 1888
Couldn't load pickup availability
The Story Behind Café Terrace at Night
By Vincent van Gogh, 1888
Painted in Arles, France, in September 1888, Café Terrace at Night is one of Vincent van Gogh’s most beloved and atmospheric works. The painting captures a quiet, glowing café on the Place du Forum under a starlit sky—Van Gogh’s first known work to depict a nocturnal scene without using black paint.
Inspired by the charm of Arles’ warm southern nights and driven by a fascination with color, Van Gogh wrote to his sister describing this piece as a study in contrasting light: the golden glow of the café lamps against the deep blues of the night sky. There is no darkness in his night—only color and vibrancy, turning the mundane into something dreamlike.
The perspective draws the eye into the cobblestone street, past the café terrace and into the mysterious shadows beyond. It’s a scene full of quiet life, of conversations just out of earshot, of time suspended between night and morning. It’s a love letter to simplicity, solitude, and the comfort of warm light.
This painting is often considered a spiritual precursor to Starry Night, capturing Van Gogh’s belief that night, too, held as much beauty and brilliance as day.
Information
Print Details
All our artworks are printed on premium, museum-grade paper using the Giclée technique — a fine art printing process known for its stunning color accuracy and longevity.
Printed on 200gsm FSC-certified matte fine art paper
Packaging
We package each print with care and the planet in mind.
A4 and smaller: shipped flat in sturdy, recyclable envelopes.
Larger sizes: rolled in durable, eco-friendly tubes.
Your art arrives safely and sustainably.
Shipping & Delivery
We ship worldwide, and always free.
Each artwork is made to order and shipped locally — reducing waste and minimizing carbon footprint.
Your print will be processed within 1 day, and delivered straight to your door in 3–6 days (max) depending on your location.
Return & Refund Policy
Each poster is made especially for you once your order is placed. Because of this, we can only accept returns if your item arrives damaged or with a clear production issue.
If something’s wrong with your order, don’t worry—we’re here to help. Just reach out to us at contact@thewallartjournal.com within 14 days of delivery with your order number and a photo of the issue.
Support
For questions, please visit our FAQ page or send us an email at info@wallartjournal.com
We aim to answer all customer inquiries within 24 hours.
Want to work with us?
We believe creativity thrives when new voices come together. If you’re an artist or creative ready to share your vision and inspire, let’s connect. Together, we can bring ideas to life.
Read more
