Sunflowers
Van Gogh’s inspiration for painting his series of sunflowers came from the gardens of Montmartre in Paris. The colors – shades of yellow and brown – and the technique express a beautiful world of hope and sunlight.
Arles, 1888, Oil on canvas, 92.1 x 73 cm
Self-portrait with Bandaged Ear
Arles, 1889, Oil on canvas, 60.5 cm x 50 cm
In the summer of 1888, Van Gogh commenced work on a series of paintings of sunflowers to decorate his house in Arles in readiness for the arrival of his friend Paul Gauguin. In a letter to his brother Theo, he wrote: “The sunflower is mine in a way.” Van Gogh’s ability to reduce his composition to basic elements and colors, primarily his favorite, yellow, resulted in great simplicity without loss of realism.
Shown In exhibit
