Sprig of Flowering Almond in a Vase by Vincent van Gogh corresponds to the small 1888 still life officially known as Sprig of Flowering Almond in a Glass. Van Gogh painted the delicate branch in Arles in March 1888, shortly after arriving in southern France during an unexpected period of snow and cold. Catalogued as F 392 / JH 1361, the historic oil-on-canvas painting measures only about 24 × 19 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 Sprig of Flowering Almond in a Glass

This intimate still life is one of Van Gogh’s earliest paintings from Arles. He arrived in February 1888 expecting the warmer climate of Provence but instead encountered unusually cold weather and snow.

An almond tree had nevertheless begun to blossom. Van Gogh brought a small flowering branch indoors and painted it standing in a simple glass.

The Van Gogh Museum dates the work to March 1888. The original is only approximately 24 × 19 cm, making it dramatically smaller than the large Almond Blossom canvas Van Gogh would paint two years later.

Glass, Not a Decorative Vase

The historical museum title identifies the container as a glass rather than an ornamental vase. This distinction is useful for accurate product information.

The simplicity of the vessel keeps attention on the branch itself. A few blossoms and buds occupy an otherwise relatively open composition, creating a very different experience from Van Gogh’s dense bouquets of sunflowers, irises and roses.

One of Two Almond-Sprig Still Lifes

Van Gogh painted two closely related almond-branch still lifes during this period. The Van Gogh Museum work is F 392 / JH 1361.

A second composition, F 393 / JH 1362, includes a flowering almond branch with a book and is a separate historical painting. Accurate catalogue identification therefore prevents two very similar works from being accidentally merged.

A Prelude to the Arles Orchards

The almond sprig appeared shortly before Van Gogh began his celebrated campaign of flowering-orchard paintings. As spring advanced in Arles, he worked rapidly among peach, pear, plum and apricot trees in bloom.

This tiny indoor still life can therefore be understood as an early announcement of the blossom theme that would occupy him intensively over the following weeks.

The subject also contrasts strongly with the snowy landscapes he painted immediately after arriving in Arles: winter weather and new spring growth existed almost simultaneously.

Japanese-Inspired Simplicity

Van Gogh’s sustained interest in Japanese prints had already transformed his approach to composition by 1888. In this small still life, the branch’s asymmetrical shape and the generous amount of open space differ from a conventional crowded European bouquet.

The result has a striking economy. A single branch becomes sufficient to organize the entire painting.

Not the Famous 1890 Almond Blossom

This painting should not be confused with Almond Blossom, the large 1890 Van Gogh Museum work painted at Saint-Rémy to celebrate the birth of Van Gogh’s nephew Vincent Willem.

The 1888 painting is much smaller, was created in Arles and shows a cut branch standing in a glass. The 1890 work depicts flowering branches spreading across a large blue field.

Historical Artwork Details

The historical original is held by the Van Gogh Museum. Alpha Art Gallery offers reproductions rather than Van Gogh’s original and does not imply museum affiliation or endorsement.

Choose Your Flowering Almond Reproduction

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

Frequently Asked Questions

When did Van Gogh paint the flowering almond sprig?

Van Gogh painted it in March 1888 soon after arriving in Arles.

Is the flower in a vase or a glass?

The Van Gogh Museum’s official title identifies the simple container as a glass.

Where is the original?

The F392/JH1361 painting belongs to the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam.

How large is the original?

It measures approximately 24 × 19 cm.

Is this the same as Almond Blossom from 1890?

No. The famous 1890 Almond Blossom is a separate, much larger Saint-Rémy painting.

Did Van Gogh make another almond sprig still life?

Yes. F393/JH1362 is a separate composition that also incorporates a book.

Can I buy a hand-painted reproduction?

Yes. Alpha Art Gallery offers individually painted oil-on-canvas reproductions.

Is shipping free worldwide?

Yes. Free worldwide shipping is included on all orders.

Bring Van Gogh’s First Arles Blossoms Into Your Space

Small in original scale but remarkably distinctive, Sprig of Flowering Almond in a Glass captures the meeting of winter cold and new spring growth at the beginning of Van Gogh’s Arles period. Choose canvas, fine art, framed or hand-painted oil presentation for your space.