This iconic post-impressionist oil painting depicts a tranquil evening scene along the Rhone River. The composition is horizontally divided between the expansive, star-filled night sky and the dark, undulating water below. A distant city skyline lines the horizon, its glowing lights mirroring the celestial bodies above.
In the foreground, a sandy bank anchors the composition. To the right, a couple strolls arm-in-arm along the shoreline, silhouetted against the dark landscape. Two small sailboats are moored near the center, their masts rising toward the sky, breaking the calm rhythm of the river surface. The artist's signature technique is evident in the thick, visible brushstrokes that create a sense of movement and texture throughout the entire scene.
The color palette is dominated by deep, rich blues, indigos, and teals, which serve as a stark contrast to the brilliant, warm yellows and golds of the stars and their reflections. These vibrant streaks of light dance across the dark water, creating vertical golden pillars that ripple with the current. The overall mood is one of serene introspection, capturing the quiet beauty of a night under the stars.