Iris
1889 National Gallery of Canada
About this artwork
This oil painting depicts a single blue iris amidst a field of green foliage, characterized by Vincent van Gogh's signature impasto brushwork and vibrant color palette. It is part of a series of iris studies he undertook during his time at the asylum.
Did you know?
Vincent van Gogh painted 'Iris' and other floral studies during his voluntary stay at the asylum of Saint-Paul-de-Mausole in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence in 1889. He believed that engaging in painting helped maintain his sanity, famously writing to his brother Theo that his work served as 'the lightning conductor for my illness,' finding profound solace in capturing the natural beauty around him.
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Iris
Vincent van Gogh, 1889
