This iconic post-impressionist masterpiece depicts a dramatic night sky filled with swirling, energetic brushstrokes. The composition is dominated by a turbulent, deep blue and violet sky, punctuated by glowing, radiant orbs representing stars and a vibrant, crescent-shaped moon in the upper right. The thick, rhythmic application of paint creates a sense of constant movement across the heavens.
In the foreground on the left, a tall, dark, flame-like cypress tree rises prominently, acting as a vertical anchor that connects the earth to the sky. Below the expansive horizon, a quiet village nestles into the landscape, featuring a church with a slender steeple that mirrors the verticality of the cypress tree. Rolling, dark blue mountains create a gentle undulating line that separates the village from the chaotic beauty of the celestial display above.
The colour palette is focused on rich contrasts between cool blues, indigos, and teals, balanced against warm, luminous yellows and oranges used for the stars and moon. The light seems to emanate from within the celestial bodies, casting a soft, flickering glow over the darkened hills and small houses below. The painting is characterized by Van Gogh's signature impasto technique, where thick, visible brushstrokes lend a tactile, expressive texture to every element of the scene.