The floral series of Irises paintings was inspired by the beautiful iris flowers in the gardens of the asylum Vincent van Gogh was admitted to. He was influenced by the nature that surrounded him every day during his isolation. Each flower has its unique movements and shapes that van Gogh tried to portray as detailed as he could using different patterns of brush strokes.
He painted it on the same easel used for the Starry Night paint by numbers. He used a gradient of blue and violet that brings the petals to life and green tones to match the leaves. Only one white Iris stands in the middle with a bush of poppies in shades of orange behind. There is some yellow touch here and there materializing the center of the Irises and shades of the flowers behind the irises flowerbed.
Irises symbolize wiseness and courage and the white one represents pureness and innocence. Being alone in this painting emphasizes this meaning.
Vincent VanGogh is a Dutch painter known for his dramatic, impressionist artworks. His bold and unconventional technique was inspired by his stay in Paris where he was drawn to the colors and light that represents emotions and feelings. In 1888, Van Gogh was placed in an asylum because of his depression.
Known to have had Bipolar Disorder, he used painting as his escape to his uncontrollable emotions and a way to help with his illness. Van Gogh was fond of painting places he visited and claimed that he does not paint what he sees, but what he feels. The key to creating such dreamy imagery of his point of view.
