Van Gogh ‘Vase with Twelve Sunflowers’

In 1888, Van Gogh started a series of paintings that have brought him worldwide fame. Very often, they are actually the only works he is identified with. Of course, we are talking about ‘Sunflowers.’ The artist planned to create at least a dozen of sunflower paintings for decorating his studio. The idea came to him as he was waiting for the arrival of his friend, Paul Gauguin, who happened to be another French artist. Together, they planned to work in the Yellow House in Arles, a place that must have inspired the palette of the series. Here is the story of this legendary series.

How the ‘Sunflowers’ were born

In a letter to Gauguin, Van Gogh mentioned beautiful flower decorations in the restaurant window next door. ‘That big sunflower still stands before my eyes,’ he wrote.  He envisioned his floral series as a mix of ‘broken yellows’ that clash with a variety of blue backgrounds. The effect had to resemble stained-glass windows of Gothic churches. Thrilled by the upcoming meeting with his fellow artist, Van Gogh set to work with great diligence and enthusiasm. He spent most of his mornings painting, in a hurry to capture the vivid colors of the sunflowers before they wither. However, he only managed to complete four pictures:

• - Three Sunflowers in a Vase
• - Still Life: Vase with Five Sunflowers
• - Still Life: Vase with Twelve Sunflowers
• - Still Life: Vase with Fourteen Sunflowers

Two of them are located in various museums; another belongs to a private collection; and finally, the second was painted on a panel rather than a canvas and destroyed by the fire. ‘Twelve Sunflowers’ strike us with their simple, yet powerful vivacity. Warm yellow hues, set off by inclusions of green and brown, glow marvelously against the gentle pale blue background. Differences in petal structure, irregular angles and meandering stems create a very genuine impression and, despite obvious distortion of shape, Van Gogh’s sunflowers look incredibly natural and alive. Bright, joyful and eye-catching, they are definitely attention-worthy!

Make your home bloom!

Whether you ever make it to the Munich museum where the painting is displayed to see it with your own eyes is questionable. But you can still have it on your wall by ordering our oil reproduction of ‘Sunflowers’ by Van Gogh! Saturated colors, carefully replicated strokes and the jubilant mood of the original will add a stylish dash to your interior and attest your flawless taste in art!