As soon as Vincent Van Gogh arrived in Arles for a period of recuperation after the effects of Paris and his fraught personal life took their toll, the artist was captivated by the night sky of the Southern French region.This period of experimentation with the nature of night and the representation of its dark canopy led to the creation of some of his most recognizable pieces.
The starry night sky was both a motor for his increased artistic output and a method of self-treatment, notably during his time in a sanatorium after a massive breakdown. Starry Night Over the Rhone, painted a year before Starry Night, is a huge accomplishment, and an experiential reproduction of a nighttime so paradoxically full of light. Following Cafe Terrace on the Place du Forum in the artist's chronology, the night depicted in Starry Night Over the Rhone translates the seemingly unavoidable black hues for royal blues, Prussian blues, and ultramarine. Many see violence and anguish expressed in the tumultuous brushstrokes, while others detect serenity in the cosmic vortex of the sky.
Van Gogh painted two other versions of the starry night, one currently housed at the New York MoMA and the other housed in the Musee d'Orsay. Although the artist only sold one painting during his short and troubled life, the influence of his night visions is immense. Starry Night Over the Rhone is remarkable in its depiction of the tiny figures of a couple walking along the river, facing the viewer as if in a pose. The crisscross brush strokes give a still effect to the blue sky. The yellow light coming from the stars is slightly greener than the lights coming from the city - which reflect on the water. Van Gogh is able to represent the fluidity of the water with his beautiful color pallet and wavy brush strokes.
Both anchoring and off-setting the dream- like qualities of the piece, this reproduction of a seemingly gentle scene takes on chameleonic qualities - molding and flattening itself to the psychological state of the viewer. More than anything else, Starry Night Over the Rhone is a work that demands experiencing, and re-experiencing, securing its place as one of the world's great cultural treasures.
All our artists have at least 15 years of experience. We only hire qualified artists with advanced degrees in Fine Arts who have completed a dissertation in European or American art.
We only use the highest quality oil paint and finest available canvas. We insist on sourcing our materials from brands that have been in business for at least a century or more.
Some companies claim to be selling handmade paintings when in fact they use printing presses and screening methods to speed-up the reproduction process and lower costs. Only buy from a trusted US or European company that has been in business for many year
Some companies claim to be selling handmade paintings when in fact they use printing presses and screening methods to speed-up the reproduction process and lower costs. Only buy from a trusted US or European company that has been in business for many year
An excellent service. which I can heartily recommend. The painting arrived earlier than expected and I can only say I am delighted with the result. Excellent finished product. Incredibly happy with my painting. Responsive customer service and multiple opportunities to church in during process. No final payment until I was certain that I would love the end result
Dottie Di Liddo
21 days ago
We have had four portraits done by GFM Painting, each one is perfect! Amazing company! I ordered a painting of my wife with her late mother, the last great memory they had together , and the artist captured the moment along with every detail. Spectacular job and I would order again.
Ginger Trickett
21 days ago
They did an excellent job reproducing my photo into an oil painting. I actually changed my mind and used a different photo than the one I originally sent. They made all the changes that I requested and it turned out beautifully.
Federico Maldonado
21 days ago
The paintings are almost acute as the original photos themselves. The paintings gives the room a classy look that can be used as heirloom. Everything was great I wish their was a chart that showed the progress of the painting and to it being finished to arriving to my door step
Sophia
14 days ago
An excellent service. which I can heartily recommend. The painting arrived earlier than expected and I can only say I am delighted with the result. Excellent finished product. Incredibly happy with my painting. Responsive customer service and multiple opportunities to church in during process. No final payment until I was certain that I would love the end result
Jazz
14 days ago
An excellent service. which I can heartily recommend. The painting arrived earlier than expected and I can only say I am delighted with the result. Excellent finished product. Incredibly happy with my painting. Responsive customer service and multiple opportunities to church in during process. No final payment until I was certain that I would love the end result
An excellent service. which I can heartily recommend. The painting arrived earlier than expected and I can only say I am delighted with the result. Excellent finished product. Incredibly happy with my painting. Responsive customer service and multiple opportunities to church in during process. No final payment until I was certain that I would love the end result
Dottie Di Liddo
21 days ago
We have had four portraits done by GFM Painting, each one is perfect! Amazing company! I ordered a painting of my wife with her late mother, the last great memory they had together , and the artist captured the moment along with every detail. Spectacular job and I would order again.
Ginger Trickett
21 days ago
They did an excellent job reproducing my photo into an oil painting. I actually changed my mind and used a different photo than the one I originally sent. They made all the changes that I requested and it turned out beautifully.
Federico Maldonado
21 days ago
The paintings are almost acute as the original photos themselves. The paintings gives the room a classy look that can be used as heirloom. Everything was great I wish their was a chart that showed the progress of the painting and to it being finished to arriving to my door step
Sophia
14 days ago
An excellent service. which I can heartily recommend. The painting arrived earlier than expected and I can only say I am delighted with the result. Excellent finished product. Incredibly happy with my painting. Responsive customer service and multiple opportunities to church in during process. No final payment until I was certain that I would love the end result
Jazz
14 days ago
An excellent service. which I can heartily recommend. The painting arrived earlier than expected and I can only say I am delighted with the result. Excellent finished product. Incredibly happy with my painting. Responsive customer service and multiple opportunities to church in during process. No final payment until I was certain that I would love the end result
All our artists have at least 15 years of experience. We only hire qualified artists with advanced degrees in Fine Arts who have completed a dissertation in European or American art.
We only use the highest quality oil paint and finest available canvas. We insist on sourcing our materials from brands that have been in business for at least a century or more.
Our most senior artists, those who have at least 25 years experience, carefully examine each and every painting that comes out of our studio. No order is shipped before it meets our standards, which are the highest in the industry.
Some companies claim to be selling handmade paintings when in fact they use printing presses and screening methods to speed-up the reproduction process and lower costs. Only buy from a trusted US or European company that has been in business for many year
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don't use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on GFM Paintings. It also analyses reviews to verify trustworthiness.