Van Gogh painted a series of sunflowers to decorate the room where Paul Gauguin would stay when he arrived in Arles. He chose this subject because his friend had previously admired his paintings of sunflowers run to seed.

"I am working with the enthusiasm of a man from Marseilles eating bouillabaisse, which shouldn't come as a surprise to you because I am busy painting huge sunflowers." (letter to brother Theo)

It was August, the sunflowers were blooming, and Van Gogh desperately wanted to capture them in a series of 12 pictures. Because the flowers wilted so quickly, he worked on his canvases every day.

• Database of paintings, watercolors, letters and sketches:
http://www.vangoghgallery.com
• Features pictures of works along with discussion:
http://www.vangoghmuseum.nl
• A virtual tour of Van Gogh exibition with audio commentary:
http://www.nga.gov/exhibitions/vgwel.htm



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The Paintings

     
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