Variational　Retinex　model-based　methods　for　low-light　image　enhancement　have　been　popularly　studied　in　recent　years.　In　this　paper,　we　present　an　enhanced　variational　Retinex　method　for　low-light　natural　image　enhancement,　based　on　the　initial　smoother　illumination　component　with　a　structure　extraction　technique.　The　Bergman　splitting　algorithm　is　then　introduced　to　estimate　the　illuminance　component　and　reflectance　component.　The　de-block　processing　and　illuminance　component　correction　are　used　for　the　enhanced　reflectance　as　the　ultimate　enhanced　image.　Moreover,　the　estimated　smoother　illumination　component　can　make　enhanced　images　preserve　edge　details.　Experimental　results　with　a　comparison　demonstrate　the　present　variational　Retinex　method　can　effectively　enhance　image　quality　and　maintain　image　color.　©　2020,　Springer　Nature　Switzerland　AG.