Irises by Vincent van Gogh
A beautiful field of Irises comes to life
"Irises", by Vincent van Gogh, is a vibrant painting of a garden of irises. The dominant colors in the piece are varying shades of purple, blue, and green, which are used to create a sense of depth and movement on the canvas. In the background are splashes of orange coming from a sprinkling of marigolds. The white flower in the foreground, on the left, stands out against the other colors, drawing the viewer's attention and adding a sense of solitude to the scene.
The painting showcased Van Gogh's talent and his ability to mimic the beauty he saw in nature. The thick, short strokes give the flowers a sense of dimension, while the lively color palette seems to bring the outdoors alive. Van Gogh was known for using this expressive brushstroke style and bold colors, and this technique is apparent in "Irises".
"Irises" is a perplexing painting within van Gogh's oeuvre, as it was created during a time of personal and artistic reflection for the artist. It was painted while Van Gogh was a patient at the Saint-Paul-de-Mausole asylum in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, France, where he spent a year recovering from a mental breakdown. While recovering, van Gogh arguably produced his most famous works, including "Starry Night" and "Irises".
About the "Irises" Painting
| Painting Name | Irises |
|---|---|
| Artist | Vincent van Gogh |
| Paint Type | Oil on Canvas |
| Year Completed | May 1889 |
| Painting Period(s) | Post Impresssionism, Modern Art |
| Location it was Painted | Southern France (Saint-Rémy) |
| Where it is Now | J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles, California. |
| What it's Worth Now | Irises was sold to the Museum in 1987 for $54 milllion, which is approximately $100 million in today's dollars. |
| Interesting Facts |
|