Sunflowers are the theme of twelve paintings by Vincent van Gogh, which were executed in two series of still lifes. The first sunflower series was painted 1887 in Paris, while the second sunflower series was executed in Arles, 1888.

The Paris sunflowers are laying on the ground, the Arles sunflower series however features a bouquet of the flowers in a vase. Famous is the painting »Twelve sunflowers in a vase«, which was painted in August 1888 in Arles (France), together with the other paintings »Five Sunflowers«, »Fifteen Sunflowers« or »Three Sunflowers in a Vase«.

Van Gogh’s Sunflower paintings were executed for the arrival of his fellow painter Paul Gauguin. As Vincent wrote in Letter 526 to his brother Theo van Gogh hoped to live together with Paul Gauguin in the studio and prepared the paintings this for. “Nothing but pure big sunflowers … If I execute this plan, there will be a dozen pictures. Everything will be a symphony in blue and yellow. I’m working all day on it beginning at sunrise. As the flowers fade quickly, everything has to be done quickly.”