Starry Night Over the Rhône
Vincent van Gogh · 1888
Why it's great
Gas lamps shimmer in long golden reflections on the river as the Big Dipper glitters overhead and a couple strolls on the shore. Van Gogh painted it outdoors at night in Arles, perhaps with candles on his hat for light. It's calmer and more peaceful than his later Starry Night, and many people consider it just as beautiful. It shows his love of the night sky.
👀 Look closer!
Look for the Big Dipper in the sky and the lights shining on the water.
Where to see it
📍 Musée d'OrsayParis, France
Open in Maps ↗ About this museum →Hang it on your wall
Three places to look for a print of this painting, from budget to museum-grade:
These links open search results on each shop's own website; we don't sell anything or earn a commission, and print quality varies by seller. Ask a grown-up before you buy anything.
Vincent van Gogh was born in a small village in the Netherlands and worked as a teacher and art dealer before becoming a painter at age 27. He lived in the Netherlands, Belgium, Paris, and finally the sunny south of France, where his colors grew brighter and bolder. He painted more than 800 paintings in about a decade, yet sold almost none while alive. After his death at 37, his brother's family helped make him one of the most loved artists in history.
