Van Gogh, Vincent – The White House at night Hermitage ~ part 02
Hermitage ~ part 02 – Van Gogh, Vincent - The White House at night
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The painting was painted by the eminent Dutch artist Vincent Van Gogh shortly before his tragic death. Moreover, the exact date of the painting’s creation is known: June 16, 1890, around eight o’clock in the evening. Such precision was established thanks to astronomical scientists who explained that the star and the lights around it depicted in the painting are none other than Venus. At the aforementioned time it was shining particularly bright, which attracted the attention of the artist, who depicted Venus in a small French commune. The masterpiece was lost from the sight of artists, scientists, critics and culture experts for a long time, and was only discovered at the end of the 20th century: it was exhibited in the Hermitage in St.
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Description of Vincent van Gogh’s "White House at Night
The painting was painted by the eminent Dutch artist Vincent Van Gogh shortly before his tragic death. Moreover, the exact date of the painting’s creation is known: June 16, 1890, around eight o’clock in the evening. Such precision was established thanks to astronomical scientists who explained that the star and the lights around it depicted in the painting are none other than Venus. At the aforementioned time it was shining particularly bright, which attracted the attention of the artist, who depicted Venus in a small French commune.
The masterpiece was lost from the sight of artists, scientists, critics and culture experts for a long time, and was only discovered at the end of the 20th century: it was exhibited in the Hermitage in St. Petersburg and belongs to this museum to this day.
In 1890, the artist paints quite often at home. The latter represent for the master a bastion of security, peace, warmth, coziness. But apparently, already sensing his imminent death, Van Gogh often adds to the pleasant shades of gloomy, symbolizing the anxiety and restlessness.
The technique of the masterpiece is voluminous enough to immerse the viewer, whether amateur or professional, in the events taking place in the depicted town.
In this painting we can observe this anxiety: a seemingly pretty white house, twilight, and a shining star are depicted, in the creation of which the artist does not deviate from his handwriting; the pastel colors also lend tranquility; in general the atmosphere of a provincial town at night is conveyed very precisely and pacifically.
But in the woman wandering restlessly along the night road from her house, and in the painting style itself, we can sense a kind of numbness and immobility, which gives the painting shades of anxiety and even nervousness. This is what Van Gogh felt emotionally shortly before the tragedy.
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The sky dominates the upper portion of the canvas. Swirling brushstrokes in deep blues and purples convey a palpable energy, while a large, luminous orb – likely representing the moon – radiates an intense light that illuminates the scene below. This celestial body is not depicted realistically; instead, it appears as a concentrated burst of luminescence, almost overwhelming in its intensity.
In the foreground, a solitary figure stands near the buildings entrance. Dressed in dark clothing and seemingly engaged in some domestic task – perhaps hanging laundry – the individual’s posture conveys a sense of quiet solitude. The figure is small in scale relative to the house and sky, emphasizing their isolation within this expansive landscape.
The artist employed an expressive application of paint, with thick impasto that creates texture and movement across the surface. This technique contributes to the overall feeling of emotional intensity. The color palette, while predominantly cool, is punctuated by warmer tones in the roof tiles and the glow emanating from the moon, creating a visual contrast that draws the eye.
Beyond the literal depiction of a house at night, the painting evokes themes of isolation, domesticity, and the power of nature. The vastness of the sky contrasts sharply with the confines of the dwelling, suggesting a tension between human existence and the immensity of the cosmos. The solitary figure’s presence hints at a narrative – a life lived quietly within this rural setting – while the dramatic lighting imbues the scene with an almost dreamlike quality. The work seems to explore the intersection of personal experience and the broader forces that shape our lives, rendered through a highly subjective and emotionally charged visual language.