Works Featuring Van Gogh’s Favorite Sunflowers

Vincent van Gogh clearly had a deep affection for sunflowers. These artworks showcase his favorite blooms throughout his career.

Between 1887 and 1889, the Dutch post-impressionist artist created an extensive series of sunflower paintings, inspired in part by Japanese woodblock prints. While many people know Van Gogh’s Sunflowers as iconic pieces, few realize they are part of a larger group of works. Van Gogh first painted the flowers in Paris, then revisited the theme after moving to Arles in 1888. He often considered how these sunflower paintings would harmonize with his other compositions.

The Painter of Sunflowers, Paul Gauguin, 1888

Although the sunflower paintings are closely associated with Van Gogh, the first piece on this list, The Painter of Sunflowers (1888), was painted by his roommate Paul Gauguin. It depicts Van Gogh at work on his sunflowers. In 1888, the two artists lived together in Arles in the Yellow House, until a severe argument in December ended with Van Gogh cutting off part of his ear, prompting Gauguin to leave for Paris. For Van Gogh, sunflowers symbolized gratitude and optimism, qualities he expressed through his vibrant, hopeful style.

Two Cut Sunflowers, Paris, 1887 (F375)

Van Gogh’s initial sunflower paintings were created in Paris in 1887, showing cut and fading flowers rather than the lush blooms he later depicted. Two Cut Sunflowers is one of four still lifes of this type from that year. Paul Gauguin admired this particular painting and displayed it above his bed for years.

Sunflowers Gone to Seed, Paris, 1887 (F377)

Sunflowers Gone to Seed is another Paris work from 1887, featuring trimmed and withering flowers against a green background. Van Gogh left this piece at his brother Theo’s apartment in Paris between mid-August and mid-September. The contrast of the fading sunflowers with the green backdrop creates a poignant, striking effect.

Four Sunflowers Gone to Seed, Paris, 1887 (F452)

This still life presents four cut sunflowers in a life-size arrangement. Van Gogh uses a subtly multicolored background to emphasize the flowers themselves. The composition has a quiet, almost otherworldly quality, letting the sunflowers dominate the viewer’s attention.

Three Sunflowers in a Vase, Arles, 1888 (F453)

In Arles, Van Gogh’s sunflowers became more iconic. Three Sunflowers in a Vase marks this shift, presenting three vibrant yellow sunflowers in a green vase against a turquoise wall. This lively color contrast brightens the painting and departs from the muted, cut flowers of his Paris works.

Vase with Six Sunflowers, Arles, 1888 (F459)

Van Gogh’s second Arles vase painting shows six jagged sunflowers, some drooping, against a deep blue background. The contrast between the flowers and the backdrop makes the blooms visually striking. Sadly, this painting was destroyed in 1945 during a World War II air raid in Ashiya, Japan.

Vase with Twelve Sunflowers, Arles, 1888 (F456)

The third version of the Arles sunflower series was painted for Van Gogh’s studio, shared with Gauguin. Vase with Twelve Sunflowers features more blooms in a slightly less vivid palette. Van Gogh paired this work with La Berceuse to create what is now known as the Berceuse Triptych.

Vase with Twelve Sunflowers, Arles, 1888 (F455)

During the winter of 1889, Van Gogh made copies of some favorite sunflower paintings, including this version of Vase with Twelve Sunflowers. Painted from memory, these replicas show subtle differences from the originals.

Vase with Fifteen Sunflowers, Arles, 1888 (F454)

Vase with Fifteen Sunflowers is one of the most famous of Van Gogh’s sunflower works. Not only celebrated for its beauty, it became the target of a 2022 climate protest at London’s National Gallery. Van Gogh used mostly yellows with hints of green and blue, creating a cohesive, luminous composition. This work was also part of the Berceuse Triptych.

La Berceuse, 1889

Van Gogh often considered how his sunflower paintings would complement other works. La Berceuse depicts Augustine Roulin holding a cradle rope, with floral wallpaper in the background. While not sunflowers, the flowers in this painting contribute to the thematic connection with the sunflower series.

The Berceuse Triptych, 1888–1889

The Berceuse Triptych pairs La Berceuse with the third and fourth versions of Sunflowers. Van Gogh envisioned the sunflowers as “torches or candelabra” flanking the central painting. These arrangements show his careful consideration of color, composition, and the relationship between his works.

Allotment with Sunflower, Paris, 1887

Before the famous Arles series, Van Gogh painted sunflowers growing in Montmartre’s hills. Allotment with Sunflower shows a single tall flower, rooted in the earth rather than cut. The painting reflects Van Gogh’s admiration for the vitality, gratitude, and life cycle represented by sunflowers.

Shed with Sunflowers, Paris, 1887

Shed with Sunflowers captures a wider scene of sunflowers in Montmartre, showing the setting where Van Gogh first encountered the flowers. These early works laid the foundation for the celebrated sunflower paintings he later created in Arles.