Vincent Van Gogh - Irises

Here is a reproduction of one of Vincent van Gogh's most famous works, "Irises", painted in May 1889.

It is a highly popular subject for art prints and museum posters. Here is the background on the original masterpiece and what to know about this specific version.

The Original Painting

• Context: Van Gogh painted this during his first week at the Saint-Paul-de-Mausole asylum in Saint-Rémy, France. He referred to it as a "lightning conductor for my illness" because he felt that continuing to paint was his best hope for recovery.

• Style: The composition was heavily influenced by Japanese ukiyo-e woodblock prints, seen in the strong outlines, unusual angles, and the way the flowers "overflow" the frame.

• Fun Fact (Color Change): Scientists at the Getty Museum recently discovered that the irises were originally a vibrant violet. Over time, a light-sensitive red pigment (Geranium Lake) faded, leaving the flowers looking blue, as they appear in your print today.

• Current Home: The original oil on canvas is a centerpiece of the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles.

About Your Print

• Format: This is a classic exhibition-style poster. The clean, modern typography at the bottom ("VINCENT VAN GOGH") is characteristic of prints sold in museum gift shops (like the Getty or the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam).

• Composition: Note the single white iris on the left. It stands out as a unique focal point amidst the sea of blue and purple, often interpreted as a symbol of the artist himself—solitary but resilient.

• Authenticity: At the very bottom left and right of your print, there is small fine print. This usually contains the copyright information, the name of the publisher (such as Graphique de France or a museum press), and the year of the print run.