Vincent van Gogh Print, Sunflowers (Fourth Version, 1888)

Sunflowers – Fourth Version by Vincent van Gogh

Vincent van Gogh’s Sunflowers is one of the defining still lifes of modern art. This fourth version, painted in Arles in August 1888, presents fifteen sunflowers against a yellow background, creating the celebrated “yellow on yellow” effect now closely associated with Van Gogh’s work.

Van Gogh produced the Arles sunflower series while preparing the Yellow House for the arrival of fellow artist Paul Gauguin. He intended the flower paintings partly as decoration for the house, but the subject quickly became something much more important within his own artistic identity.

Van Gogh’s Yellow Sunflowers

Earlier versions of the composition used contrasting blue or turquoise backgrounds. In this fourth painting Van Gogh radically reduced that contrast, placing yellow flowers, a yellow vase and a yellow background within the same composition.

The result is far from monochrome. Lemon, ochre, orange, brown and green create subtle distinctions between flowers at different stages of life, from fresh petals to heavy seed heads.

Flowers with Individual Character

The bouquet is deliberately irregular. Some sunflowers face forward, others turn sideways or droop, while several have lost much of their outer ring of petals.

Van Gogh uses thick and varied brushwork to differentiate petals, leaves and textured centres. Rather than presenting an idealised floral arrangement, he celebrates the changing physical character of the flowers themselves.

Sunflowers Prints for Warm, Colourful Interiors

A Vincent van Gogh Sunflowers print brings immediate warmth to a room. Its rich yellows and ochres work beautifully in kitchens, dining rooms, living rooms and bedrooms and complement cream, putty, navy, teal, sage, terracotta and natural timber.

The upright composition makes it particularly effective above console tables, fireplaces and narrow furniture, either as a single focal point or combined with other Van Gogh flower paintings.

About Vincent van Gogh

Vincent van Gogh (1853–1890) was one of the defining painters of Post-Impressionism. His years in southern France transformed his use of colour and produced many of his most recognisable paintings, including landscapes, portraits, night scenes and the famous Arles sunflower series.

Vincent van Gogh’s Painting Style

Van Gogh used visible brushwork, simplified shapes and increasingly independent colour to intensify ordinary subjects. In Sunflowers, closely related yellows are varied through tone, texture and paint thickness, turning a traditional flower still life into a highly distinctive modern composition.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did Van Gogh paint this version of Sunflowers?

This fourth version was painted in Arles in August 1888.

How many sunflowers are shown?

The National Gallery version contains fifteen sunflowers, although Van Gogh initially referred to it in correspondence as a bouquet of fourteen.

Where is this Sunflowers painting today?

The original fourth version is in the National Gallery in London.

Did Van Gogh paint more than one Sunflowers?

Yes. He created seven related Arles sunflower paintings between 1888 and 1889, including several different compositions and later repetitions.

All orders for unframed fine art prints and original paintings are dispatched within 2 working days of receipt of payment.

Orders for custom framed prints are dispatched within 4 working days.

All orders are fully tracked from dispatch to delivery at your home or business.

All print and original painting orders are fully insured against loss or damage in transit. We refund or replace any damaged or lost orders.

Buy with confidence - read what our satisfied customers have to say - Reviews

Fine art papers are printed without any additional white border Please let us know at the time of ordering if you would like a small additional white border.

Rolled canvas options have an additional white border of approximately 2.5 inches (7cm) on all 4 sides to aid stretching.

Ready to hang canvas panels are stretched on 1.5 inch deep solid pine frames from sustainable forestry sources. The image is mirrored on all 4 sides to give an aesthetically pleasing finish.

Why not have us gift wrap your order and attach a personalised message to the recipient. Available for all orders. Each order is hand wrapped in high quality gift wrap with meatllic ribbon and bow. Your personalised message is printed on a card which is included with your order.

Have your hand wrapped gift delivered directly to the recipient.

Full tracking and insurance included with every order.

Please note design may vary depending upon availability

Just purchase the gift wrap option HERE