Image: public domain, courtesy of Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
Roses
Van Gogh painted this big bouquet in 1890 in Saint-Rémy, in the south of France, just before leaving the town. Even the green wall behind the flowers is full of lively, swirling brushstrokes.
🎧 Audio guide available in the 3D museum
Did you know?
- The roses were painted pink, but the colour has faded over time, so today they look almost white.
- It is one of two large rose paintings he made at that time; the other hangs in the Metropolitan Museum in New York.
- At about 71 by 90 cm, it is one of the largest still lifes Van Gogh ever painted.
- The paint was so thick that he left the picture in Saint-Rémy to dry, and it was sent on to him later.
- Writing to his sister about his last weeks there, he mentioned great bouquets of violet irises and great bouquets of roses.
- Pamela Harriman gave it to the National Gallery in memory of her husband, the American diplomat Averell Harriman.
About the artist
Vincent van Gogh (1853–1890) was born in the Netherlands and worked there, in Paris, in the south of France at Arles and Saint-Rémy, and finally at Auvers-sur-Oise.
In only about ten years as an artist he created hundreds of vibrant paintings, among them Sunflowers, The Starry Night, Irises and The Bedroom.
He wrote more than 800 letters, most of them to his beloved brother Theo, full of warmth and of his joy in color and nature.
More works
The BedroomVincent van Gogh, 1889
Fishing in Spring, the Pont de Clichy (Asnières)Vincent van Gogh, 1887
Self-PortraitVincent van Gogh, 1889
Wheat Field with CypressesVincent van Gogh, 1889
IrisesVincent van Gogh, 1890
Self-Portrait with a Straw HatVincent van Gogh, 1887
A Sunday on La Grande JatteGeorges Seurat, 1884–86
At the Moulin RougeHenri de Toulouse-Lautrec, 1892–95
The museum is free for everyone. If you enjoy it, you can help us add new paintings and audio guides.
Secure payment via PayPal · any amount