by Vincent Willem van Gogh
Learn more from on the Philadelphia Art Museum's page.
Location: Second Floor, Gallery 261 (On the second floor, walk through the European Art 1850-1900 Impressionism wing and stop in the large open space with seating. Look for the Sunflowers at 10 o'clock.)
On your way to locate this famous treasure, you'll spot a number of other famous artists: from Monet to Manet, Pissaro to Degas. Look left to right as you walk, make mental notes about what you'd like to return to and revisit.
Van Gogh. What do you think of when you hear this name? Maybe an artist who suffered from a mental illness? Maybe a missing ear? Maybe there's even a portrait in your mind:
Did you know that there are many different paintings that Van Gogh completed with the title "Sunflower"?
As you approach the painting, we'd recommend you think of two things:
Friendship
The different shades of the color yellow
Van Gogh's many paintings of sunflowers are interwoven in his friendship with Paul Gauguin.
To the many shades of yellow you'll notice, Van Gogh's sunflowers are considered innovative for their use of the various shades and pigments of yellow which were new at the time.
Once you have taken in the fullness of this painting, take a step back to the center of the room. Slowly take in the other painting in the space.
Can you identify other Van Gogh's?
To the language of FIMS, what about these other pieces have IMPACTED you or INFLUENCED you? Why?
View this supplementary video produced by the Philadelphia Art Museum.
Which of the following images are painted by Van Gogh? Why?
