Vase van Gogh “The Irises”

The Irises (1889)

Van Gogh painted The Irises shortly after he had voluntarily admitted himself to the Saint Paul-de-Mausole psychiatric institution. He called the painting ‘the lightning rod for my illness’, because he hoped to escape complete madness by continuing to paint.

The Irises show the influence of the Japanese Ukiyo-e block print art that Van Gogh, and other artists of his time, admired. Vincent considered the painting merely a study, but his brother Theo loved it and immediately submitted it for the annual exhibition of the ‘Société des Artistes Indépendants’.

Height: 25cm
Diameter: 8cm