Artwork
Oleanders
Oleanders is an oil painting by Vincent van Gogh. It is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
As a still-life, the work conveys a quiet, contemplative arrangement that underscores Van Gogh's interest in everyday objects and their expressive potential.
The painting titled Oleanders is classified as a still-life work by Vincent van Gogh, created in 1888 using oil on canvas. According to the documented description, the composition depicts a flower arrangement within a broader still-life setting, suggesting an emphasis on botanical subjects. The subject consists of oleander blossoms rendered with vibrant brushwork, reflecting the artist's focus on natural forms and color exploration.
As a still-life, the work conveys a quiet, contemplative arrangement that underscores Van Gogh's interest in everyday objects and their expressive potential. The painting's creation in Arles aligns with a period when the artist produced numerous still-life studies emphasizing floral motifs.
Technique & Style
Created in 1888 in Arles, Oleanders is an oil-on-canvas painting by Vincent van Gogh. The work measures 60.3 by 73.7 centimeters and belongs to the still-life genre, depicting flowers alongside a book. Executed in the artist's characteristic style during his time in the south of France, the painting utilizes oil paint applied to a canvas support.
The composition centers on the floral subject matter, reflecting van Gogh's engagement with still-life arrangements during this period. The piece is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, having passed through the hands of Johanna van Gogh-Bonger and other collectors.
History & Provenance
Oleanders was painted by Vincent van Gogh in Arles in 1888. The work passed through several owners, including the dealer Carl Reininghaus, the collector Josef Redlich, Johanna van Gogh-Bonger, and Elizabeth Workman, before entering the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, where it remains. Executed in oil on canvas, it measures 60.3 cm in height by 73.7 cm in width.
A specific museum accession number is not provided in the available records, and no exhibition dates or catalogue raisonné entry are listed in the supplied sources.
Overview
Vincent van Gogh's oil painting, Oleanders, created in 1894, presents a vibrant still life. It features a bouquet of pink oleander flowers in a blue vase, positioned on a white-clothed table. An open yellow book rests beside the vase, all set against a luminous yellow background. This work is part of the collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Vincent Willem van Gogh was a Dutch Post-Impressionist painter who is among the most famous and influential figures in the history of Western art.
