Vincent Willem van Gogh, Dutch, 1853-1890 – Sunflowers Philadelphia Museum of Art

The composition presents a still life arrangement dominated by sunflowers in various stages of bloom and decay. They are densely packed within a roughly cylindrical vase, which sits upon a low table or ledge. The background is rendered with broad strokes of muted green, creating a sense of depth while simultaneously flattening the perspective.
Here we see an intense focus on color; yellows – ranging from pale lemon to deep ochre – are the primary visual element. These are juxtaposed against the cooler greens and browns that define the stems, leaves, and vase itself. The artist employed thick impasto application throughout, giving the surface a tactile quality and emphasizing the materiality of the paint. Brushstrokes are visible and directional, contributing to a dynamic energy within the scene.
The sunflowers themselves exhibit a range of expressions. Some appear vibrant and fully open, their petals radiating outwards in a display of vitality. Others droop, with wilting petals suggesting a process of decline. This duality introduces an element of melancholy into what might otherwise be considered a purely celebratory depiction of nature’s beauty.
The vase itself is not rendered with meticulous detail; it serves primarily as a vessel to contain the floral arrangement. The signature appears hastily inscribed on its surface, further emphasizing the immediacy and spontaneity of the work.
Subtly, the painting conveys themes of transience and the cyclical nature of life. The contrast between flourishing and fading sunflowers speaks to the ephemeral quality of beauty and the inevitability of decay. The intense color palette and energetic brushwork suggest a passionate engagement with the subject matter, hinting at an emotional intensity underlying the seemingly simple depiction of flowers.