Irises
Vincent van Gogh · 1889
Why it's great
Van Gogh painted these irises in the garden of the hospital where he was staying. The purple blooms rise and bend across a sea of green, with one lonely white flower standing out. The bold outlines were inspired by Japanese woodblock prints, which he adored. It sold for a record-setting price in 1987 and remains one of the most beloved flower paintings ever.
👀 Look closer!
Find the one white flower among all the purple irises.
Where to see it
📍 Getty CenterLos Angeles, United States
Open in Maps ↗ About this museum →Hang it on your wall
Three places to look for a print of this painting, from budget to museum-grade:
These links open search results on each shop's own website; we don't sell anything or earn a commission, and print quality varies by seller. Ask a grown-up before you buy anything.
Vincent van Gogh was born in a small village in the Netherlands and worked as a teacher and art dealer before becoming a painter at age 27. He lived in the Netherlands, Belgium, Paris, and finally the sunny south of France, where his colors grew brighter and bolder. He painted more than 800 paintings in about a decade, yet sold almost none while alive. After his death at 37, his brother's family helped make him one of the most loved artists in history.
