Published 30/10/2023
The Almond Blossom is one of Vincent van Gogh's most famous paintings. Created in 1890, this vibrant and colourful work depicts blooming almond tree branches set against a bright blue sky. Though a relatively simple composition, the painting encapsulates key aspects of van Gogh's unique style and conveys a sense of vitality and hope. In this article, we will explore the background behind this celebrated work, analysing why it has come to be regarded as a masterpiece of post-impressionist art.
Who Painted the Almond Blossom?
The Almond Blossom was painted by Vincent van Gogh, one of history's most renowned and influential artists. Born in 1853, van Gogh was a Dutch painter known for his emotive use of colour and bold style. Though he went largely unrecognised during his lifetime, he is now celebrated as an artistic genius whose works had a profound impact on 20th century art.
Van Gogh painted some of his most famous works, including The Starry Night and Sunflowers, during the last two years of his life. The Almond Blossom was created in 1890, during a period when he was living in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence in the south of France. Though plagued by mental illness, these final years saw van Gogh produce a stunning body of work characterised by vivid colour and thick, energetic paint application.
When Was the Almond Blossom Painted?
Van Gogh painted The Almond Blossom in February 1890, while living in a psychiatric hospital in Saint-Rémy. He had admitted himself to the asylum in May 1889, following a breakdown in his mental health. Though he found life at the hospital difficult at times, it was during this period that he produced some of his most iconic works.
The exact date that Van Gogh crafted the Almond Blossom painting is not known. However, based on letters he sent his brother Theo in early February mentioning the blossoming almond trees, it is believed he painted it between the 5th and 20th of February 1890. This places the work in the final year of Van Gogh's life, as he died by suicide in July 1890.
Where Was the Almond Blossom Painted?
Van Gogh created the Almond Blossom painting while a patient at the Saint-Paul-de-Mausole asylum in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence in the south of France. Located just outside the town of Saint-Rémy, the psychiatric hospital provided a retreat where Van Gogh voluntarily admitted himself in 1889 after suffering a breakdown.
Though confined within the hospital grounds, Van Gogh was afforded some freedoms. He was able to lodge in an adjacent cell and had access to an enclosed wheat field he used as a subject for his work. The blossoming almond trees that inspired Almond Blossom would have been located just outside the hospital in nearby orchards. Van Gogh likely painted the work outdoors before finishing it in his studio.
Description of the Almond Blossom Painting
The Almond Blossom painting depicts several almond tree branches in full bloom set against a sky of thick, swirling blue brushstrokes. The flowers range from white to pink and capture the delicate beauty of the blossoms. The branches twist and turn, mimicking the natural movement of tree limbs blowing in the wind.
Van Gogh painted the blossoms in varying stages - some are tightly closed buds just beginning to emerge, while others are fully open with delicate petals. The flowers almost seem to flutter, conveying the ephemeral beauty of the spring blooms. Van Gogh used short, rhythmic brushstrokes in shades of pink, white, and green to bring the almond blossoms to life.
Below the flowers, the branches split off in different directions with gnarled, knobby textures. Their outlines waver, creating an organic sense of flow. Van Gogh used tan and brown hues to depict the branches and dark green for the leaves. Some branches extend beyond the boundaries of the canvas, increasing the painting's sense of movement.
In the background, Van Gogh painted thick swirls of vivid blue with visible, layered brushstrokes that lend astonishing depth. The contrasting hues of blue and orange-pink create a vibrant, energetic effect. Some scholars believe the blue background was added last to balance the composition. Van Gogh frames the almond branches to the right of centre, creating an asymmetrical arrangement that dynamizes the scene.
Almond Trees as a Motif
Almond trees were a frequently occurring motif in Van Gogh's works. During his highly prolific period in Arles from 1888-1889, he painted several blossoming almond trees including Blossoming Almond Branch and Blossoming Almond Tree. For Van Gogh, the delicate white and pink blooms were a symbol of new life in early spring.
After the cold, barren winter, the emergence of almond blossoms signalled renewal and hope - a prospect that would have carried profound meaning for Van Gogh in terms of his mental state during this period of recovery. Though he suffered from anxiety and depression, painting the flowering branches in February 1890 may have represented his own sense of guarded optimism that mental stability could return anew.
Beyond symbolism, Van Gogh was also captivated by the visual aesthetics of almond blossoms. The delicate flowers allowed him to experiment with colour combinations and angular lines to create a balanced composition. In Japanese woodblock prints, Van Gogh likely saw almond branches depicted against abstract backgrounds which influenced his imaginative settings. Almond Blossom encapsulates the creative possibilities the motif offered Van Gogh.
Why is the Painting of Almond Blossom Famous?
Van Gogh's Almond Blossom painting is considered a masterwork for several reasons:
· Vibrant use of colour - The painting dazzles with its vivid shades of blue, pink, and white. Van Gogh used contrasting hues to create a sense of visual intensity.
· Thick, expressive brushwork - Van Gogh's rapid, gestural strokes infuse the work with emotion and dynamism. The paint seems to swirl with energy.
· Unique composition - Centring the focus on the almond branches was unusual for the time. The asymmetrical composition created a bold, striking effect.
· Symbolism - The blossoms represent new life and hope. Van Gogh saw them as a celebration of the natural world's renewal amid his personal struggles.
· Historical importance - The work is considered an iconic post-impressionist piece that influenced modern art with its expressive style.
The painting captures Van Gogh's innovative artistic vision at its height. Both avant-garde and accessible, it endures as a quintessential Van Gogh that exemplifies his creative genius.
Almond Blossom Painting Price
While Van Gogh sold only one painting during his lifetime, today his works are valued in the multi-millions. Almond Blossom has been held by the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam since 1973. Though its current value is not publicly disclosed, estimates place it at over $50 million given the history of other Van Gogh paintings at auction.
In 1990, Van Gogh's Portrait of Dr. Gachet sold for $82.5 million, the highest price ever paid for a painting at the time. Works such as Irises and Self-Portrait Without Beard have also commanded prices upwards of $50 million at auction. Almond Blossom is considered the equal of these iconic pieces. Given its enormous art-historical significance, if it was ever sold, it would likely fetch a similar record-setting sum.
How Long Did It Take to Paint Almond Blossom?
Van Gogh typically painted rapidly, completing many works in single sessions or over the course of a few days. However, he also spent more time on larger or more complicated compositions. There is no definitive record of how long it took Van Gogh to complete Almond Blossom. Based on his letters, he began the painting soon after noticing the almond trees blooming in early February. He likely worked on the painting outdoors before finishing it in his studio.
Many art scholars estimate it may have taken him between one or two weeks to complete the work. Van Gogh’s rendition of the almond branches and flowers would have required close observation of his subject. The blue background, which does not attempt to capture a realistic sky, was probably added toward the end of the process. Given the large size of the painting (29 x 36 1⁄4 inches), the harmonious composition, vibrancy of colour, and thick application of paint, it is likely that Van Gogh worked on Almond Blossom for at least one week or longer. This is a typical timeframe for Van Gogh works of similar size and detail.
Later Ownership and Exhibitions
After Van Gogh's death in July 1890, Almond Blossom was inherited by his brother Theo, an art dealer who had supported Vincent's career. Theo died just six months later, leaving the painting to his widow, Johanna.
In the early 20th century, Almond Blossom entered the renowned collection of Jacob Baart de la Faille, who compiled the first catalogue raisonné of Van Gogh's works in 1928. De la Faille loaned the painting to major exhibitions like the Van Gogh retrospective at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1935.
In 1973, the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam acquired Almond Blossom. As one of the most visited museums in the Netherlands, it has allowed millions of visitors to view this iconic Van Gogh painting over the past five decades. Additionally, Almond Blossom has been loaned for prominent international exhibitions including a Van Gogh retrospective at the Art Institute of Chicago (1986). It also toured Japan in 1958, exposing Van Gogh's admirers there to a work clearly influenced by Japanese ukiyo-e woodblock prints. Almond Blossom's presence in these shows cemented its reputation as a true Van Gogh masterwork.
Van Gogh's Legacy
Though he sold only one painting during his lifetime, Van Gogh's legacy as a seminal artist in the Western canon is assured. His influence can be seen across modern art with his bold colours, emotive brushwork, and imaginative interpretations of nature. Van Gogh inspired Expressionism, Fauvism, and early abstraction. Expressionists like Emil Nolde channelled his use of colour and brushstrokes to convey inner emotion. Fauvists such as Henri Matisse built upon his vibrant palette. Abstract painters were guided by the imaginative worlds he created.
The bandages covering Van Gogh's severed ear appear in symbolic self-portraits that profoundly influenced modern interpretations of identity. His existential musings and mental health struggles make him an icon for tormented creativity. Van Gogh's life story became as impactful as his visionary paintings.
Van Gogh also brought new vitality to landscapes and still life. His energetic cypresses and wheat fields showed nature in its raw power. Vibrant sunflower and iris paintings uplifted everyday objects into iconic images. Van Gogh looked at the world in a radically fresh way.
His embedment in mainstream culture is immense. Van Gogh images adorn mugs, posters, bags, and more. His story has been portrayed in songs, films, and books. Van Gogh remains the quintessential image of the starving yet brilliant artist.
Van Gogh single-handedly created the idea of the modern art masterpiece tied to the vision of one individual. The astronomical prices his works command confirm his unique status in the art marketplace. Owning a Van Gogh puts one in an exclusive club of the ultra-wealthy.
The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam welcomes over two million visitors annually, making it one of Western Europe's most-visited museums. Exhibitions of his work continue to draw record crowds as new generations fall under the spell of his creative genius.
Over 150 years after his death, Van Gogh's ability to touch our emotions through his works endures. The vibrancy and lifeforce of paintings like Almond Blossom seem as fresh and bold as the day they were painted. Van Gogh's legacy lives on as he continues to inspire artists and move art lovers around the world.
Created near the end of Vincent van Gogh’s life, Almond Blossom has endured as one of his most famous and impactful paintings. Its uniquely vibrant colours, bold composition, and thick, expressive brushwork exemplify Van Gogh’s post-impressionist genius. Both visually dazzling and emotionally resonant, the painting stands as a testament to the artist’s technical mastery and innovative vision, which profoundly influenced modern art. Almond Blossom represents both a beautiful flower study as well as Van Gogh’s hopeful spirit in the face of adversity. Revered for its artistic brilliance, it will continue to be regarded as a quintessential Van Gogh for generations to come.
A selection of our Post-Impressionistic works
