Starry Night Over the Rhône
Vincent van Gogh · 1888
Oil on canvas
Quick answer
Starry Night Over the Rhône (1888) by Vincent van Gogh is in Musée d'Orsay, Paris. Starry Night Over the Rhône is an oil painting by Dutch artist Vincent van Gogh, created in September 1888 in Arles, southern France. It depicts the gas lights of the town of Arles reflecting in the River Rhône on a clear night, with the Great Bear constellation (Ursa Major) visible in the starry sky. The painting is displayed at the Musée d'Orsay in Paris and is considered one of Van Gogh's greatest achievements in nocturnal painting. World Museum Guide explains what you're looking at and how to see it.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Starry Night Over the Rhône?
The painting is on Level 5 of the Musée d'Orsay in Paris, in the Post-Impressionist galleries alongside many other major Van Gogh and Gauguin works. The Musée d'Orsay is at 1 Rue de la Légion d'Honneur, Paris 7th arrondissement.
What is the difference between Starry Night Over the Rhône and The Starry Night?
Starry Night Over the Rhône (Musée d'Orsay, Paris) was painted in Arles in September 1888, when Van Gogh was mentally stable and working directly from observation. The Starry Night (MoMA, New York) was painted in Saint-Rémy in June 1889, while Van Gogh was in the asylum — from memory and imagination rather than direct observation. The Orsay version is more grounded and literal; the MoMA version is more expressionistic and visionary.
What stars did Van Gogh paint in Starry Night Over the Rhône?
Van Gogh depicted the Great Bear constellation (Ursa Major) prominently in the upper left of the painting. He was interested in astronomy and deliberately chose to paint specific, identifiable stars rather than generic points of light. The exact constellations visible on a clear September night from the banks of the Rhône in 1888 have been confirmed by astronomical analysis of the painting.
When was Starry Night Over the Rhône painted?
The painting was created in September 1888, during Van Gogh's first year living in Arles, southern France. He had moved to Arles in February 1888 hoping the bright southern light would invigorate his painting. September 1888 was one of his most productive periods — he also painted Café Terrace at Night and several bedroom pictures during this time.
How does Van Gogh depict light in Starry Night Over the Rhône?
Van Gogh contrasted deep, saturated blues and violets for the sky and river water with intense, warm yellows and oranges for the gas street lamps and their reflections. This complementary colour contrast — blue/orange — creates an almost electric quality of light in the reflections. He applied the paint in directional strokes that follow the movement of water and the patterns of light on its surface.