Irises is one of several paintings of the flower by the Dutch Post-Impressionist artist Vincent van Gogh. It is widely considered one of his most renowned and striking works.
Key Facts:
Year Created: 1889
Style: Post-Impressionism
Background & Significance:
The Asylum at Saint-Rémy: Van Gogh painted Irises in May 1889, within a week of checking himself into the asylum at Saint-Paul-de-Mausole in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, France. He painted it working from nature in the hospital's garden.
"The Lightning Conductor": Van Gogh referred to this painting as "the lightning conductor for my illness." He believed that continuing to paint and focusing on his work was the only way to keep himself from going completely insane.
