Sunflowers

In August 1888, Vincent van Gogh was preparing for the arrival of Paul Gauguin in Arles and wanted to decorate the yellow house they would share. He decided to paint a series of sunflower pictures to hang in his guest's room. This version, now in London, shows fifteen sunflowers arranged in a simple earthenware vase against a pale yellow background, their heavy heads drooping at various stages from full bloom to wilting decay.

Van Gogh was obsessed with yellow. He associated it with happiness, friendship, and the warm southern light he had come to Arles to find. The Sunflowers paintings push this obsession to its limit: yellow flowers in a yellow vase against a yellow background, differentiated only by subtle shifts in hue and the texture of the paint itself. Van Gogh applied the pigment thickly, building up the petals in ridges and whorls that catch light and create an almost sculptural surface.

The Post-Impressionist master painted multiple versions of the sunflower composition during his time in Arles. He considered them among his best work and signed this one prominently on the vase. The friendship with Gauguin ended badly after just nine weeks, culminating in Van Gogh's breakdown and self-mutilation. But the Sunflowers endured as symbols of hope and creative vitality. This painting now hangs at The National Gallery in London, where its radiant yellows continue to lift the spirits of visitors. The image remains a beloved choice for floral wall art and home decor.