Two Cut Sunflowers Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890)
Vincent van Gogh – Two Cut Sunflowers
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Painter: Vincent van Gogh
Location: Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam.
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"Two Cut Sunflowers" are three paintings in the first series of Van Gogh’s Parisian Sunflower series, painted in August and September 1887. In all, there were four paintings in the first series (the first depicted four sunflowers, the next three depicted two). They all depicted cut sunflowers, but the backgrounds were of different colors. It was as if the artist was looking for harmony in the combination of the huge yellow flowers and the background. In the first picture Van Gogh paints two cut sunflowers like a sketch, sharp strokes, the mixing of different colors only structurally distinguish the sunflowers on a dark green background, they do not have their inherent yellowing. The color scheme of the entire painting is dull and dark, which is characteristic of Van Gogh before the Paris period. The second representative of the series "Two cut sunflowers" is already full of a riot of colors, mainly yellow and red palette, sunflowers are already fully deployed their "soul" to the viewer.
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Description of the series of paintings by Vincent Willem van Gogh "Two cut sunflowers"
"Two Cut Sunflowers" are three paintings in the first series of Van Gogh’s Parisian Sunflower series, painted in August and September 1887.
In all, there were four paintings in the first series (the first depicted four sunflowers, the next three depicted two). They all depicted cut sunflowers, but the backgrounds were of different colors. It was as if the artist was looking for harmony in the combination of the huge yellow flowers and the background.
In the first picture Van Gogh paints two cut sunflowers like a sketch, sharp strokes, the mixing of different colors only structurally distinguish the sunflowers on a dark green background, they do not have their inherent yellowing.
The color scheme of the entire painting is dull and dark, which is characteristic of Van Gogh before the Paris period.
The second representative of the series "Two cut sunflowers" is already full of a riot of colors, mainly yellow and red palette, sunflowers are already fully deployed their "soul" to the viewer. The outlines have become clear and constructive, the dark core of the sunflower and its yellow fading petals are clearly distinguished. The background has also changed, there is practically no dark colors and bright colors have taken possession of the entire canvas. And the last painting of the series acquired a completely different manner of painting. The composition is as if transferred from the first painting "Two cut sunflowers" and changed from a fuzzy sketch to a bright, shouting portrait of sunflowers. Harmony has been achieved - bright yellow flowers on a bright blue background. The sunflowers seem to come alive and strive to meet the viewer’s gaze, foregrounding the sadness of their withering.
Van Gogh associated himself with sunflowers, which live in harmony with the cosmic rhythms.
The "Two Cut Sunflowers" paintings are preserved in various countries:
In the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam.
In the Art Museum of Bern.
At the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
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The painting Two Cut Sunflowers by Vincent van Gogh depicts two dried or wilting sunflowers against a background of dark green and brown foliage, rendered in thick, energetic brushstrokes. The sunflowers are presented in a close-up view, emphasizing their textures and forms. The petals are a mix of yellows, whites, and subtle pinks, with some appearing curled and faded. The centers of the flowers are dark, textured masses, conveying a sense of decay and the passage of time. The background is a jumble of dark greens and browns, with some areas of lighter green suggesting leaves or grass, but rendered in Van Goghs characteristic impasto style, creating a sense of movement and depth. A dark, diagonal form, likely a branch or stem, cuts across the lower portion of the painting, anchoring the composition.
The subtext of Two Cut Sunflowers is rich and multifaceted, deeply intertwined with Van Goghs emotional state and artistic evolution.
Mortality and Decay: The most evident subtext is the theme of mortality and the transient nature of beauty. Unlike his earlier, vibrant sunflower paintings, these sunflowers are explicitly cut and appear to be drying. This suggests a contemplation of lifes ephemeral qualities, the fading of youth and vitality, and the inevitability of death. This reflects Van Goghs own struggles with his mental and physical health, and his awareness of his own mortality.
Subjectivity of Perception: Van Goghs distinctive style, with its bold brushwork and subjective color choices, emphasizes his unique way of experiencing and interpreting the world. The sunflowers are not rendered with photographic accuracy but are instead filtered through his emotional and psychological lens. This highlights the idea that reality is not an objective, fixed entity but is experienced and shaped by the individual observer.
Inner Turmoil and Hope: Despite the theme of decay, the energetic application of paint and the lingering presence of yellow hues can also be interpreted as a testament to Van Goghs enduring spirit and his quest for light and beauty even in the face of darkness. The sunflowers, even in their dried state, still possess a certain dignity and resilience. This can be seen as a reflection of his internal struggle, his moments of profound despair juxtaposed with his persistent hope and creative drive.
Spiritual Symbolism: Sunflowers themselves have often been associated with adoration, loyalty, and spiritual enlightenment, as they turn towards the sun. In their cut and dried state, this symbolism can be reinterpreted. It might suggest a fading of faith, a broken devotion, or a spiritual struggle. Alternatively, it could represent a more internalized spirituality, where light and meaning are found not in external sources but within oneself, even amidst decline.
Artistic Statement: The painting is also an artistic statement about the nature of still life and representation. By choosing to depict these wilting flowers, Van Gogh challenges conventional notions of beauty and subject matter, suggesting that even in decay, there is profound artistic and emotional content worth exploring. It signals a move towards a more expressive and less conventionally beautiful aesthetic in his later work.