Van Gogh | Irises | MET Museum

Vincent van Gogh – Irises
Van Gogh’s Irises (1889), painted during his stay at the Saint-Paul-de-Mausole asylum, is a symphony of swirling blues and greens, each flower vibrating with individual life. Unlike the turbulent energy of his later works, Irises has a rhythmic, almost meditative quality—though the lone white iris, isolated amid the blue, hints at his loneliness. A poignant detail: Van Gogh considered this a study, not a finished piece, yet it’s one of his most beloved works. The thick impasto and claw-like leaves reveal his innovative technique, where paint itself becomes part of the subject’s emotional weight.

Van Gogh’s Life During This Period
Van Gogh created Irises in the first week at the asylum, where he had voluntarily committed himself after the infamous ear incident. Though plagued by hallucinations and depression, he entered a rare period of clarity here, writing to Theo that painting was his "only distraction." The asylum’s garden became his sanctuary, and Irises—with its restrained palette—shows his tentative hope for recovery. Tragically, this stability was fleeting; within a year, he would paint Wheatfield with Crows and take his own life. Irises remains a fragile beacon of beauty amid his turmoil.

Product features
- 100% ring-spun cotton for softness and durability
- Shoulder-to-shoulder tape for added stability
- Trendy boxy fit with a slight crop
- Vintage look from pigment dye colors
- Heavy fabric ensures quality and longevity

Care instructions
- Machine wash: cold (max 30C or 90F)
- Non-chlorine: bleach as needed
- Tumble dry: low heat
- Iron, steam or dry: low heat
- Do not dryclean