Roses

Roses is a significant oil on canvas painting created by Vincent van Gogh in 1890, near the end of his life. Executed in the spring of that year just before the artist left the asylum in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, this vibrant work is characteristic of the Post-Impressionist movement flourishing across Europe during the period of 1876 to 1900.

Gogh utilized thick, pronounced impasto and dramatic, swirling brushstrokes that give the floral subject a sense of dynamic energy. The composition features a voluminous bouquet of blooming pink roses set against a subtle, pale greenish background that nearly matches the stems. As a master of Dutch origin working primarily in France, Gogh employed color not merely for realistic representation but for emotional intensity, seeking to express a subjective view of the natural world.

The choice of flowers and the expressive palette suggest themes of renewal and vitality, motifs frequently present in the artist’s still life paintings from this phase. The density of the flowers emphasizes the lush abundance of the subject matter, with the entire canvas surface filled by the overwhelming presence of nature.

Alongside the companion piece Irises, the painting Roses exemplifies Gogh’s intensely expressive final style. This oil on canvas is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art, where it serves as a cornerstone of their late nineteenth-century European holdings.

Due to the renown of the artist and the historical importance of this specific work, the imagery derived from Roses is widely studied and reproduced globally. Though the original canvas resides in Washington D.C., high-quality prints reflecting the dynamic texture and coloration of the piece are often sought after by collectors. Given the age and prominence of the work, its imagery has entered the public domain, ensuring broad accessibility for scholars and art enthusiasts alike.