Oleanders

Oleanders, painted in 1888 in Arles, is a vibrant still life that reflects Vincent van Gogh’s deep appreciation for the beauty and symbolism of nature. The painting features a lush bouquet of blooming oleander branches arranged in a green vase, set on a table beside a book—a quiet contrast between the vitality of flowers and the calm of contemplation.

With bold brushstrokes and a radiant palette of greens, pinks, and warm earth tones, Van Gogh brings the scene to life, emphasizing the joyful, enduring quality of the oleander plant. He considered oleanders “joyful and life-affirming,” and this work captures that spirit—expressing energy, resilience, and the comforting presence of art and nature in everyday life.