Home » Poems » Gary Radice » Vincent Van Gogh: Cafe Terrace At Night

Gary Radice | + Follow Poet |

Vincent Van Gogh: Cafe Terrace At Night

Poet's Notes

(Show)

Become a Premium Member and post notes and photos about your poem like Gary Radice.

Originally 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)

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

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?

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Di11y Da11y

Date: 4/14/2025 8:26:00 AM

I remember this one! Wow you modelled how to do ekphrasis well when I'd barely heard of it :) I went through your back catalogue like a masterclass and still love how you approach ekphrasis. Congratulations on your placement :)

Gary Radice
Date: 4/14/2025 1:10:00 PM

Hi D D. Thanks so much. The ekphrases I write are basically just me questioning what I see. I tend to be intrigued by the who, what, where, how and why behind the painting more than the actual painting itself. I don’t tend to attach myself to the painting or step inside it and become part of it like you so skilfully manage to achieve in your writing. Thanks again. Cheers - Gary

Marikate Kingston

Date: 12/7/2023 7:44:00 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.

Gary Radice
Date: 12/8/2023 10:10:00 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

Yolanda Nicholsen

Date: 8/14/2023 2:35:00 AM

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

Gary Radice
Date: 8/14/2023 7:13:00 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

Di11y Da11y

Date: 3/4/2023 10:39:00 AM

I'm blown away by your poems! I read so many that aren't my style but your poems literally drag me into the painting and the times. I've done a few of the Van Gogh's, so got into the mood of the paintings and painter very recently and you capture the lot. Perfection! (I only give glowing reviews when they deserve it by the way, I've just loved every poem I've read that you've done haha)

Gary Radice
Date: 3/4/2023 12:21:00 PM

Thank you D D! I'm blown away by your lovely comments! :) My wife and I have been to the VG museum in Amsterdam and went to the V G Experience when it was on at Media City Manchester. Love his work. Cheers - Gary

Line Gauthier

Date: 1/25/2023 11:17:00 AM

well penned ~ that last stanza gives pause for reflection ~

Gary Radice
Date: 1/26/2023 1:45:00 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

FJ Thomas

Date: 1/8/2023 1:51:00 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 :)

Gary Radice
Date: 1/9/2023 2:36:00 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

Valsa George

Date: 9/26/2022 2:43:00 AM

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

Gary Radice
Date: 9/26/2022 1:53:00 PM

Thank you Valsa. Much appreciated. Cheers - Gary

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 8/24/2022 5:53:00 AM

Read again and enjoyed it as much!

Gary Radice
Date: 8/24/2022 2:59:00 PM

Thanks again Kim! Appreciated. Cheers - Gary

Linda Alice Fowler

Date: 8/15/2022 6:32:00 AM

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

Gary Radice
Date: 8/15/2022 11:23:00 AM

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

Bryan Norton

Date: 8/10/2022 8:54:00 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

Gary Radice
Date: 8/11/2022 3:20:00 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

Date: 7/27/2022 4:50:00 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

Gary Radice
Date: 7/28/2022 1:11:00 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

Andrew John

Date: 7/26/2022 3:47:00 AM

Lovely description. Thanks, Gary.

Gary Radice
Date: 7/26/2022 11:44:00 AM

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

Timothy Ray

Date: 7/23/2022 4:53:00 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

Gary Radice
Date: 7/24/2022 1:40:00 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

Paul Callus

Date: 7/20/2022 6:08:00 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

Gary Radice
Date: 7/20/2022 12:37:00 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

Laura Leiser

Date: 7/14/2022 2:05:00 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!)

Gary Radice
Date: 7/14/2022 9:41:00 PM

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

Kim Morrison

Date: 7/13/2022 10:31:00 AM

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

Gary Radice
Date: 7/13/2022 11:37:00 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

Crossarms Xyz

Date: 7/12/2022 9:32:00 AM

Good

Gary Radice
Date: 7/12/2022 9:39:00 PM

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

Sara Kendrick

Date: 7/12/2022 3:59:00 AM

Back with congrats. Sara

Gary Radice
Date: 7/12/2022 6:55:00 AM

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

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 7/10/2022 1:25:00 PM

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

Gary Radice
Date: 7/11/2022 10:21:00 AM

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

Deb M

Date: 7/9/2022 9:40:00 PM

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

Gary Radice
Date: 7/9/2022 10:55:00 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

Date: 7/8/2022 10:39:00 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~

Gary Radice
Date: 7/9/2022 11:05:00 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

John Watt

Date: 7/5/2022 4:51:00 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

John Watt
Date: 7/7/2022 10:32:00 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

Gary Radice
Date: 7/6/2022 1:53:00 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

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 7/5/2022 10:09:00 AM

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

Gary Radice
Date: 7/5/2022 12:07:00 PM

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

Unseeking Seeker

Date: 7/4/2022 9:37:00 PM

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

Gary Radice
Date: 7/5/2022 1:47:00 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

Susan Ashley

Date: 7/4/2022 8:41:00 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

Gary Radice
Date: 7/5/2022 1:41:00 AM

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