Vase of Gladioli by Vincent van Gogh corresponds to the 1886 floral still life officially known as Vase with Chinese Asters and Gladioli. Painted in Paris in August–September 1886, the work combines brightly coloured gladioli and asters against a cool background and shows Van Gogh experimenting with thicker paint, stronger colour contrasts and a looser modern style. The historic oil-on-canvas painting measures approximately 46.5 × 38.4 cm and belongs to the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. Alpha Art Gallery offers reproductions as canvas prints, fine art prints, framed prints and 100% hand-painted oil paintings.

About Vase of Gladioli by Vincent van Gogh

Van Gogh painted more than thirty flower still lifes during his first Paris summer. Flowers were relatively accessible subjects, but more importantly they gave him a convenient way to practise colour.

This composition combines tall gladioli with Chinese asters. Their varied flower shapes allow Van Gogh to move between long vertical stems, broad blossoms and smaller clustered forms.

The Van Gogh Museum dates the work to August–September 1886. Its museum object number is s0144V1962, and the historical painting is catalogued as F 248a / JH 1148.

Influence of Adolphe Monticelli

The Van Gogh Museum connects the painting with Van Gogh’s discovery of the French painter Adolphe Monticelli. Van Gogh admired Monticelli’s unpolished surfaces and lavish use of paint.

That influence encouraged him to apply paint more generously. Rather than hiding the physical material, Van Gogh increasingly allowed ridges, loaded strokes and visible texture to remain part of the finished work.

This experiment would become extremely important later. The heavy, expressive surfaces now associated with Van Gogh’s mature paintings developed through works such as these Paris flower studies.

A Cool Background for Warm Flowers

The bouquet gains much of its impact from the contrast between its warmer blossoms and the cooler background. Van Gogh was becoming increasingly interested in complementary and near-complementary colour relationships during this period.

The background is not simply empty space. Its brushwork and colour actively support the flowers, making the reds, pinks, whites and warmer tones appear stronger.

From Dark Dutch Painting to Modern Paris Colour

The difference between this still life and Van Gogh’s earlier Dutch work is considerable. In the Netherlands he often relied on browns, dark greens and muted earth colours.

Paris exposed him directly to Impressionism, Neo-Impressionism and contemporary flower painting. His palette became brighter, and he increasingly treated brushwork and colour as independent elements of a composition.

Vase with Chinese Asters and Gladioli belongs to this period of transition and helps explain how the artist of Sunflowers and Irises developed.

Historical Artwork Details

The historical original belongs to the Van Gogh Museum. Alpha Art Gallery offers reproductions rather than the original artwork and does not imply museum affiliation or endorsement.

Choose Your Vase of Gladioli Reproduction

Alpha Art Gallery’s canvas prints use 400–450 GSM museum-quality canvas. Its hand-painted oil reproductions are individually created by professional artists using oil on canvas.

Frequently Asked Questions

What flowers are shown in Vase of Gladioli?

The bouquet includes gladioli and Chinese asters. The Van Gogh Museum uses the title Vase with Chinese Asters and Gladioli.

When was it painted?

Van Gogh painted the work in Paris in August–September 1886.

Where is the original?

The original belongs to the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam.

How large is it?

The historical oil painting measures approximately 46.5 × 38.4 cm.

Why is the brushwork important?

Van Gogh was experimenting with thicker applications of paint after discovering the work of Adolphe Monticelli, whose richly worked surfaces strongly appealed to him.

Can I buy a canvas print?

Yes. Multiple sizes are available on Alpha Art Gallery’s 400–450 GSM museum-quality canvas.

Can I order a hand-painted version?

Yes. Professional artists individually paint 100% oil-on-canvas reproductions.

Does Alpha Art Gallery ship worldwide?

Yes. Free worldwide shipping is included on all orders.

Bring Van Gogh’s Paris Gladioli Into Your Space

This colourful 1886 still life records Van Gogh at a crucial point in his development, experimenting with thicker paint and stronger colour relationships. Choose canvas, fine art, framed or hand-painted oil presentation in the size that works best for your wall.