Roses

In May 1890, on the eve of leaving the asylum at Saint-Rémy, Van Gogh created a remarkable series of four still lifes—among them Roses that we present today. Together with three related works—two versions of Irises and a horizontal Roses—they were conceived as a unified ensemble. Vincent at the time felt he was coming to terms with his illness—and himself. In this healing process, painting was all-important. During those final three weeks of his recovery, he wrote his brother Theo, he had "worked as in a frenzy. Great bunches of flowers, violet irises, big bouquets of roses..."

Please take a closer look at the very thick paint—so thick that both rose paintings were left behind when Van Gogh left Saint-Rémy on May 16, 1890. As he explained to Theo, "these canvases will take a whole month to dry, but the attendant here will undertake to send them off after my departure." They arrived in Auvers by June 24.

P.S. Explore Van Gogh's marvelous flower paintings! Which one is your favorite? 

P.P.S. Few artists painted flowers with such emotion as Van Gogh. Discover his (and many others’) breathtaking blossoms in our Flowers in Art 50 Postcards Set; share a little sunshine with someone you love.