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Iconic Sunflowers

For many, the image of sunflowers is synonymous with the Dutch master, Vincent van Gogh. The artist himself is said to have claimed: “The sunflower is mine in a way.”

Born on March 30, 1853 in the Netherlands, Van Gogh lead a turbulent life before shooting himself in July 1890 at the age of 37.

Van Gogh produced over 1,000 paintings many of which are considered masterpieces. Although his reputation as a remarkably talented artist was well-established, Van Gogh was able to sell only one painting during his lifetime.

A year before his death van Gogh painted his famous Sunflowers. He painted several versions of the flowers in 1888 and 1889 at Arles, France at a time when he did not have enough money to buy paints. “I am now on the fourth picture of sunflowers,” he wrote in a letter to his brother and art dealer, Theo in August 1888. Almost a hundred years later, the largest of the Sunflowers he painted — a glowing still life of blossoms in a vase measuring 39 by 30 inches — was put on auction by Christie’s in London on March 30, 1987. It was expected to fetch $11 million, a figure that would make it the most expensive painting ever sold at auction.

The next day, The New York Times reported how the dramatic still life in thick swirls of chrome yellow and yellow ochre carried forth by nervous, white-gloved guards became a focus of excitement under ten spot lamps; how a spectacular bidding duel ensued; and how two anonymous telephone competitors had driven the price to an auction record of $39.9 million! When he died, the parish priest refused to provide a funeral service because Van Gogh had committed suicide. Finally, Theo led the funeral procession of a small group of friends covering Van Gogh’s coffin with sunflowers.

BBC World is presenting The Sunflowers this weekend as part of its series titled Imagination. The programme which promises to bring out the hidden history of Van Gogh’s painting will be telecast at 1.40 p.m. today with a repeat telecast at 10.40 p.m. and 7.40 p.m. tomorrow.

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