Sunflowers. Vincent van Gogh. Vincent Willem van Gogh, Dutch - Sunflowers - Google Art Project.jpg (source). Public domain — PD-Art.
Sunflowers
Vincent van Gogh · 1889, January
- Catalog
- F455
- Date
- 1889, January
- Place painted
- Arles
- Museum
- Philadelphia Museum of Art
- Medium
- Oil on canvas
About the painting
This iconic version of Sunflowers from Arles is a powerful testament to Van Gogh's belief in the expressive potential of color. The painting depicts a vibrant bouquet of sunflowers, rendered with his characteristic thick, swirling impasto. Each bloom, from budding to wilting, seems to pulse with an inner life, set against a dazzling yellow background. For Van Gogh, sunflowers symbolized gratitude and the warmth of Provence, and he hoped to create a "studio of the south" filled with them. This work is a triumph of color and texture, exuding an almost palpable energy and joy, making it one of his most beloved and recognizable creations.
Collection: Philadelphia Museum of Art. Whether it is currently on view should be confirmed with the museum before visiting.
Research note: this entry is based on an evolving catalog. Dates, attribution, location and visitor information should be verified against the institution’s current records.