Irises by Vincent van Gogh Canvas Print

Van Gogh began painting "Irises" shortly after arriving at the asylum in May 1889, working from the hospital garden. This piece lacks the intense emotion present in his later works. Van Gogh described painting as "the lightning conductor for my illness," believing it helped him stave off madness. The painting was likely influenced by Japanese ukiyo-e woodblock prints, as were many of his and other contemporary artists' works. The influence is evident in the strong outlines, unusual perspectives, including close-ups, and the flat, local colour that doesn't follow the light's fall. "Irises" exudes a sense of softness and lightness, brimming with life but free from tragedy.