This artwork is a famous post-impressionist oil painting depicting a night scene along the Rhone River. The composition is horizontally divided between a vast, deep blue sky filled with glowing stars and the dark, reflective surface of the water below. A couple stands in the foreground on a grassy bank, looking out toward the river, while silhouettes of small boats bob in the gentle current.
Across the river, the lights of Arles are captured as horizontal streaks of golden and orange paint. These warm, luminous reflections contrast sharply with the cool, dark tones of the night. The sky is punctuated by clusters of radiant, circular stars that appear to pulsate against the textured, dark blue background, created with the artist's signature thick, expressive brushstrokes.
The entire scene is rendered in an impressionistic style, emphasizing the movement of light and the emotional atmosphere of the night. The interplay between the deep shadows of the riverbanks and the brilliant yellow gaslight reflections creates a sense of tranquil serenity. The heavy application of paint gives the entire image a tactile, vibrant quality that captures the unique ambiance of the French night.