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Gary Radice - Premium Member

Notes About The Poem

Poem published 2nd July 2022

Poetry Soup's POEM OF THE DAY (4th July 2022)

This poem was placed 1st in the "Your Choice N" contest sponsored by Brian Strand (Judged 11th April 2025)

Vincent Van Gogh's "Café Terrace at Night" (Arles, France 1888 Oil on Canvas)

Vincent Van Gogh: Cafe Terrace At Night

from beyond his
vibrant palette
that bore all his 
lifelong scars

is what I see
beneath his sky
and myriad
of stars

a scene of shades
and silhouettes
formed by the
yellow light

that hints at
The Last Supper
at that café 
in the night?

Copyright © Gary Radice | Year Posted 2022

appreciationartsymbolismekphrasis

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May 18, 2026 at 2:10 PM

Stars, scars and yellow point to the Last Supper. Tortured as Van Gogh was, could the white figure be Christ? Religion influenced Van Gogh importantly. In Leonardo's Last Supper there are no halos intentionally. All the diners are at the same height. Bilious yellow is the iconic choice symbol for the insane. So, I conclude the painting is a precis to how Van Gogh ended his life. Regardless, you, as always Gary, have captured my interest. My musings may be on point or off but nonetheless you captured me. And that is one of the great things about good poetry. Don't ya think?

May 18, 2026 at 10:03 PM

What I love about art and indeed poetry more than anything is how people’s interpretations of a work can differ. There are no right or wrong answers. Sometimes I like the ideas behind why a picture was painted more than the picture itself. I’m leaning towards the idea that Van Gogh was referring to The Last Supper here. I think I count 11 people sitting at tables along with that one shadowy Judas like figure leaving the scene. I’m loving your musings. Thanks so much Greg for your great comments. Cheers - Gary

Marikate Kingston

December 7, 2023 at 7:44 PM

Wow. I wrote a poem about this artist as well. Such a troubled soul wasn't he? but simultaneouly also such an artistic genius. He threw out so may of his paintings, how sad that they were not accepted then and now today are sold for millions. This poem was beautiful, just beautiful.

December 8, 2023 at 10:10 PM

Thank you Marikate. Yes, he was a troubled soul - a brilliant yet troubled soul. I'm currently away from home but I'll have a read of your poem about Van Gogh when I'm back in the next day or two. Cheers - Gary

Mrs. Yolanda Nicholsen

August 14, 2023 at 2:35 AM

lovely write adored reading your work and the images are simply awesome.

August 14, 2023 at 7:13 AM

Thanks Yolanda! I'm glad you enjoyed the read. I find van Gogh's works, van Gogh himself and van Gogh's reasons for painting what, why and how he did, all very fascinating. Cheers - Gary

January 25, 2023 at 11:17 AM

well penned ~ that last stanza gives pause for reflection ~

January 26, 2023 at 1:45 AM

The more I examine the painting Line the more I'm convinced that 'The Last Supper' reference was intentional. I note too a cross in the window frame right behind where the individual dressed in white is standing?? Curiouser and curiouser.. :) EDIT: Actually Line..I've just noticed something else..near the top of the left hand curtain in the window behind the figure in white..is that an image of someone (Jesus) on the cross..with what looks like a halo above? And the curtain to the right..is that a sideways image of someone on a cross?? Am I thinking and / or seeing too much?? I'm not sure?? Cheers - Gary

January 8, 2023 at 1:51 PM

I wonder how that brilliant, lonely mind would have enjoyed your beautiful captioning. I am most happy to have found your writing this eve Gary :)

January 9, 2023 at 2:36 AM

Thank you FJ. I appreciate your visit, read and lovely comments. I'll take a look at your own poems soon. Thanks again. Cheers - Gary

September 26, 2022 at 2:43 AM

Lovely indeed.... both the painting and the poem.

September 26, 2022 at 1:53 PM

Thank you Valsa. Much appreciated. Cheers - Gary

August 24, 2022 at 5:53 AM

Read again and enjoyed it as much!

August 24, 2022 at 2:59 PM

Thanks again Kim! Appreciated. Cheers - Gary

Linda Alice Fowler

August 15, 2022 at 6:32 AM

Intriguing interpretation of Van Gogh's painting Gary. I enjoy your poems. Linda

August 15, 2022 at 11:23 AM

Thank you for your lovely comments. I'll catch up on my PS reading in the next couple of days. Cheers - Gary

August 10, 2022 at 8:54 AM

That's really cool, Gary. I never would have noticed. Your poem is quite nice, one to keep and cherish. I always enjoy your themes, and your considerable talent. Don't stop, Bryan

August 11, 2022 at 3:20 AM

Hi Bryan! I've taken an interest in paintings with secrets since I first read about this particular painting. Check out Flemish artist Clara Peeters': "Still Life with Cheeses, Almonds and Pretzels" - I read that she included a hidden micro portrait of herself somewhere in the painting. I found it only after being directed to where it is and even then I had some trouble seeing it. (I sense another ekphrasis coming on) I digress..Thanks for your generous praise and comments. :) Cheers - Gary

Robert Gorelick

July 27, 2022 at 4:50 PM

In his own lifetime Van Gogh was generally just the butt of jokes. Kids followed just to torment him. Adults to whom he gave his painting used them to cover holes in walls! Last Supper? Don't know, he did have a strong theological background. An intriguing notion. Robert

July 28, 2022 at 1:11 AM

Hi Robert. Thanks for your visit and your comments. I'm at a point whereby I'm tending to believe 'The Last Supper' reference was intended. I did read too that there is a cross behind the person dressed in white in the picture which is 'further evidence'. That I'm not too sure about at all but you are correct. The whole thing is intriguing. Cheers - Gary

July 26, 2022 at 3:47 AM

Lovely description. Thanks, Gary.

July 26, 2022 at 11:44 AM

Thank YOU Andrew. Your comment is very much appreciated. Cheers - Gary

July 23, 2022 at 4:53 PM

as i read the comments and returned to painting....i zero in large on the standing figure it draws me into almost like a "Christ" like cynosure...fascinating take indeed...good job

July 24, 2022 at 1:40 AM

Thanks Timothy. Yes, the standing figure does command a certain centre of attention. A waiter? Jesus? Is that a cross behind him in the window? I love the questions the picture poses. Hope you are now free from Covid and feeling better. Read you soon. Cheers - Gary

July 20, 2022 at 6:08 AM

Your striking poem throws more than a yellow light on Van Gogh's life and work, Gary. The suggestion about the Last Supper is very worth following through. Congrats on p.o.t.d. award. // paul

July 20, 2022 at 12:37 PM

Thank you Paul. This from independent art researcher (Jared Baxter) ".. around the time that van Gogh crafted Café Terrace at Night, he wrote to his brother Theo, referencing the painting and claiming that he had a... 'tremendous need for, shall I say the word—for religion.' " I think the whole idea is intriguing and now want to read more. Thanks again Paul. Cheers - Gary

July 14, 2022 at 2:05 PM

Hi Gary, John Watt referred this particular poem for me to read today. I have to agree that it is both stunning and intriguing! Love the idea of the hidden message of The Last Supper being subtly referred to here..Excellent poetry (a fave!)

July 14, 2022 at 9:41 PM

Thank you Laura. I appreciate your great comments and your fave. ..and John, if you are reading this thank you too. :) Cheers - Gary

July 13, 2022 at 10:31 AM

I have a print of this, but I do not see all you do here. Very Good!

July 13, 2022 at 11:37 AM

Hi Kim. Thanks for your visit and comments. They are very much appreciated. I need to point out that I'm certainly no art expert or historian but an article I read last year - written by an 'art researcher' - gave credence to the idea that van Gogh may have been referring to the The Last Supper. It drew my attention but in all honesty I'm not 100% convinced - hence my questioning stance in the poem. It's an interesting theory nonetheless and I thought it may make a good basis for a poem. Thanks again. Cheers - Gary

July 12, 2022 at 9:32 AM

Good

July 12, 2022 at 9:39 PM

Thanks Crossarms. I'll take a look at your poems once you publish here at Poetry Soup. Cheers - Gary

July 12, 2022 at 3:59 AM

Back with congrats. Sara

July 12, 2022 at 6:55 AM

Thank you Sara. It was a nice surprise. Cheers - Gary

Andrea Dietrich

July 10, 2022 at 1:25 PM

Love that picture and how you interpreted it poetically. WELL done!

July 11, 2022 at 10:21 AM

Thanks Andrea. I might try my hand at describing a song next. Then again.. Cheers - Gary

July 9, 2022 at 9:40 PM

Congratulations on a beautiful Gary Radice poem being picked for POTD….happy for you Gary…well done! Debx

July 9, 2022 at 10:55 PM

Hi Deb. Thanks for the kind comments. I still don't know after almost 3 years at Poetry Soup how on earth a poem is chosen for POTD (or POTW for that matter) but I'll keep on trying to do whatever it is that I don't know what I'm supposed to do :) Cheers - Gary

Michelle Faulkner

July 8, 2022 at 10:39 AM

So brief but so layered, your first stanza of his lifelong scars, perhaps that led to the beauty of his stars? I don't know very much about Van Gogh but his paintings are captivating, as is this marvelous ode to his work~

July 9, 2022 at 11:05 PM

Thanks so much Michelle. I find the shorter poems so much harder to write than the longer ones as I'm always trying to fit so much information in there in a way that it doesn't look or read 'shoehorned in'..if you get my drift. Cheers - Gary

July 5, 2022 at 4:51 PM

Gary, I've been reading this one over and over since Saturday and still struggling to put into words what power it has over me. For one, this Van Gogh is in my top 10 paintings, a poster of which decorates my work office wall. Secondly, the Last Supper theory is new and intriguing to me. It just seems too coincidental to NOT be true, but I'm wondering if any mention was ever made in his letters to Theo? I'm inclined to agree with the theory, knowing his religious background. Lastly, your poetry simply shines as a finely honed and distilled ekphrasis in the hands of a skilled poet, art aficionado, and sensitive soul. A Fav for all these reasons, and my warm congratulations for the worthy POTD acknowledgment ~ John

July 7, 2022 at 10:32 PM

Gary, have you seen the film "Loving Vincent"? Here's an article about it. I highly recommend seeing the film ~ John https://news.artnet.com/art-world/loving-vincent-oscar-nomination-1205504

July 6, 2022 at 1:53 AM

Hi John. First, thanks so much for the fave and your lovely comments. I've yet to read vanGogh's letters to his brother Leo but certainly intend to. When searching the net I think the page that initially caught my attention a year back (and made for fascinating reading for me) was here: https://news.artnet.com/art-world/vincent-van-gogh-last-supper-cafe-terrace-at-night-275282 I'm not into conspiracy theories so much but this managed to hold my attention. Not that long ago a painting was just a painting to me and I either liked it or passed on it. Now it seems, I'm interested in the who, what, where, how and whys too. Thanks again. Cheers - Gary

July 5, 2022 at 10:09 AM

Congratulations on POTD! i’m going to an art event this weekend. Should be fun!

July 5, 2022 at 12:07 PM

Enjoy Kim and thank you for your comments. Cheers - Gary

Unseeking Seeker

July 4, 2022 at 9:37 PM

Interesting, with allusion to The Last Supper. Congrats on POTD, Gary

July 5, 2022 at 1:47 AM

Hi Unseeking. It is fascinating. I'm going to try and find the article I read about the theory and re-read it...and perhaps look for other symbolism and references in his other works. I know that when he was ill, many of his pictures had a visually distorted perspective. Whether this was a deliberate ploy or whether it was his mental illness that dictated here, I don't know. I'm digressing..thanks so much for your comments. :) Cheers - Gary

July 4, 2022 at 8:41 PM

Dear Gary, such a beautiful poem. You capture the tragic, ingenious spirit of Van Gogh and his exquisite painting with creative elegance. Congratulations for receiving the worthy and well deserved honor of POTD for this brilliant piece. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

July 5, 2022 at 1:41 AM

Susan, thank you. Your words are like a painting themselves. :) I truly appreciate your valued comments. Cheers - Gary

July 4, 2022 at 4:09 PM

Hmm. That's very interesting. I'll have to look at that painting again. I wrote one about Vincent also. Such a tragic man. Your poem is lovely, Gary. Congratulations on POTD!

July 5, 2022 at 1:39 AM

I have to admit Ann that I too let out a loud 'Hmm' when I first read about the alluding to biblical references. The fact that you are going to look at the painting again is, perhaps, the best compliment you could have given me for my poem. For that, I am very grateful. Ann, what is the title of your poem about VvG? Cheers - Gary

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