Van Gogh communicates the charged energy and oppressive atmosphere in The Night Cafe through his use of color, line, and composition. The painting features a dominant use of warm colors such as yellow, orange, and red, which create a sense of heat and intensity. The use of contrasting cool blues and greens in the floor and walls creates a feeling of confinement and claustrophobia.
The composition of the painting also adds to the sense of unease, as the room appears to tilt and warp around the central figure. The skewed perspective and distorted angles create a disorienting effect, as if the viewer is being pulled into the painting itself.
Furthermore, the use of strong, dark lines throughout the painting adds to the sense of tension and agitation. The lines are used to delineate the various objects and figures in the room, but they also seem to vibrate and pulse with energy.
Taken together, these elements create a charged and unsettling atmosphere, as if the scene is on the verge of boiling over into chaos.