Van Gogh's Sunflowers: A Symphony in Blue and Yellow

Vincent van Gogh (Dutch, 1853–1890) was a Post-Impressionist master whose work emphasized emotional expression through bold color and dynamic brushwork. Beginning in August 1888 while living in Arles, France, Van Gogh created a series of sunflower paintings using oil on canvas, applying thick, gestural strokes to build luminous yellows and blues. He worked rapidly and intuitively, layering pigment to create textural depth and visual energy. Van Gogh's sunflower paintings were initially conceived as decorations but evolved into meditations on color harmony, nature's vitality, and his own psychological state. His technique—combining vivid hues with expressive mark-making—established him as a foundational figure in modern art.