There are numerous paintings that have been drifting from one gallery to another and each of them is synonymous with Vincent Van Gogh’s name and techniques. The artist is one of the most famous post-impressionist painters of the 19th century. 

Even though he lived a very troubled life, his artworks later rose to popularity and wide critical acclaim for his ideas and techniques.

The Sunflower Series

The Sunflower series of Van Gogh is one of the perfect examples of this. Many scholars suggest that Van Gogh became well known around the world, not because of his other paintings, but because of his sunflower series.

One can make a mental connection with the artist once one starts to observe the painting carefully. Van Gogh’s Sunflower series has been duplicated by numerous artists around the world.

However talented the artists may be, the originality and the subtlety of Van Gogh’s techniques were never achieved. We’ve put together some of the most asked questions about Van Gogh’s sunflower paintings.
  vase with three Sunflowers One of the versions of Sunflowers (hand-painted reproduction in oil on canvas)

When did Van Gogh paint the Sunflower Series?

Van Gogh painted the Sunflower series between the years of 1887 to 1889.

How many paintings are there in the Sunflower Series?

There are a total 11 paintings in this series.

Where did he paint them?

Van Gogh painted four of the paintings in Paris, and he painted the remaining seven in Arles.

What is the current location of the Paris sunflowers?

All the Paris paintings were created during August to September 1887. The Four Cut Sunflowers are in Otterlo, at the Kroller-Muller Museum. The Two Cut Sunflowers are in Amsterdam, at the Van Gogh Museum. The other Two Cut Sunflowers is in Bern, at the Kunstmuseum and another Two Cut Sunflowers is at the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What is the current location of the Arles sunflowers?

One Vase With Fifteen Sunflowers is located in the Sompo Japan Museum of Art in Tokyo, another Vase With Fifteen Sunflowers at the National Gallery of London and another Vase With Fifteen Sunflowers the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam.
One Vase with Twelve Sunflowers is located in Munich, in the Neue Pinakothek and another Vase with Twelve Sunflowers in the Philadelphia Museum of Art respectively.

Vase With Three Sunflowers is currently in a private collection in the United States. And unfortunately, Vase With Five Sunflowers was destroyed in a fire.
  Vase with Five Sunflowers One of the versions of Sunflowers (hand-painted reproduction in oil on canvas)

Was one Sunflower painting destroyed?

Well, did you know that in among 2000 of Van Gogh’s works, only 6 of them are known to be destroyed?

In 1945, one of Van Gogh’s Arles painting Vase with Five Sunflowers was destroyed by a fire. This happened during the American air attack on Japan during the second World War. It was a part of the private collection of Koyata Yamamoto. Also, it was said that since the painting had a very large frame, it was difficult to take it from the wall during the bombing.

The Sunflower Paintings are indeed one of Van Gogh’s most famous works. Although one of the paintings was unfortunately destroyed, the other Sunflower paintings are indeed well-guarded, in secure places around the world.

Would you like to brighten up your home with one of Van Gogh's Sunflowers?

Check out this page for interior inspiration. You'll see several of our hand-painted replicas perfectly matching with modern homes.  

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      07-09-2017 16:47     Comments ( 2 )
Comments (2)
 Brad Buchsbaum -  16-03-2024

Isn't one of the Sunflowers located at the Philadelphia Museum of Art?

 jim -  09-12-2017

wow!