Question

Research and review the painting by Vincent van Gogh entitled, Café Terrace at Night. It is interesting to note that the spot he painted in Arles, France still looks similar today. In a couple of sentences describe what is unique about this painting, what you feel when you see it, and how you think van Gogh felt about this place.

Answer 1

It gives a sense of warm summertime season nights in Southern France, sipping at a drink and enjoyable because of the hours while away. It even brightens up the sky, colored wealthy indigo, pocked by yellow globules of paint for stars. The yellow from the café and the stars make the night appear alive, mixing the two together.

Answer 2

What's unique is the warmth that Van Gogh brings to the outdoor space of the patio. The rest of the building, above the awning, and into the street and sky the colors are primarily blue. This cool, and darker, atmosphere really makes the table and chairs stand out with a familiar warmth. It feels like Van Gogh liked this place and was comfortable there, that he might have seen it as somewhere welcoming, familar, and worth shining a metaphorical (and literal in the painting) light on as a space to go in the city.