This iconic post-impressionist masterpiece depicts a dramatic night sky above a quiet, sleeping village. The primary focal point is a massive, dark, flame-like cypress tree that towers in the left foreground, reaching from the bottom edge nearly to the top of the frame. Below the rolling hills of the horizon sits a small town with a prominent church steeple, rendered in muted tones that contrast with the vibrant sky above.
The composition is dominated by a turbulent, swirling atmosphere. Large, luminous yellow orbs representing stars and a crescent moon punctuate the deep blue and indigo heavens. Broad, rhythmic brushstrokes create a sense of constant movement, with white and pale blue currents flowing across the sky like wind or waves. The hills in the background are painted in undulating, layered shades of dark blue, separating the celestial chaos from the structured grid of the houses below.
The colour palette is a striking study in contrasts, primarily utilizing cool blues and violets against warm, glowing yellows and oranges. The application of paint is thick and expressive, characteristic of impasto technique, where distinct, visible brushstrokes provide texture and energy to the entire scene. The overall mood is one of intense, visionary emotion, blending the stillness of the midnight village with the kinetic, swirling power of the cosmos.