Irises
Oil painting on canvas • Vincent van Gogh
Style & Movement
Post-Impressionism
Medium & Technique
Oil on canvas employing impasto technique with heavy, rhythmic brushstrokes, strong contours, and vibrant glazing typical of the artist's late style.
Creation Period
May 1889
Dimensions & Format
Original dimensions are 71 cm × 93 cm (28 in × 36 5/8 in); landscape format.
Subject Description
A field of purple irises with a single white iris standing out in the upper left. The composition features a high horizon line and focuses on the intricate, twisted shapes of the flowers and leaves, influenced by Japanese ukiyo-e woodblock prints.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Excellent (Museum Grade). The original is housed in the J. Paul Getty Museum under climate-controlled conditions.
Estimated Market Value
In excess of $150,000,000. Sold in 1987 for $53.9 million (then a record).
Auction Estimate
$100,000,000 - $200,000,000+ (Estimated, given current market rarity for masterworks).
Provenance History
Originally owned by Julien 'Père' Tanguy; later acquired by Octave Mirbeau. It passed through various private hands including Joan Whitney Payson before being purchased by the J. Paul Getty Museum in 1990.
Art Historical Significance
One of Van Gogh's most renowned works, painted during his first month at the asylum of Saint-Paul-de-Mausole. It demonstrates his ability to find beauty and vitality in nature during his periods of mental struggle and is a cornerstone of Post-Impressionist art.
Notable Features
The unique inclusion of a single white iris acts as a focal point. The lack of a sky and the dense, floral foreground create an immersive, wall-like decorative effect highly characteristic of Japonisme.
Condition Issues
The original shows some natural age-related craquelure and slight fading of certain red pigments (lake pigments) typical of 19th-century materials.
Conservation Recommendations
Maintain strict UV protection and stable relative humidity. The original requires specialized museum monitoring. Professional cleaning was previously performed to remove aged varnish.