This is the story of one of the world s most iconic images. Martin Bailey explains why Van Gogh painted a series of sunflower still lifes in Provence. He then explores the subsequent adventures of the seven pictures, and their influence on modern art. Through the Sunflowers, we gain fresh insights into Van Gogh s life and his path to fame. Based on original research, the book is packed with discoveries throwing new light on the legendary artist.
Preface
Introduction: Nothing but large Sunflowers
part i: the artists lifetime
1. Montmartre
2. The Yellow House
3. Still Lifes
4. Encounter with Gauguin
5. The Painter of Sunflowers
6. Drama in Arles
7. Triptych
8. Final Canvas
part ii: subsequent adventures
9. Seeds to Tahiti
10. First Buyers
11. Munich
12. London
13. Tokyo
14. Lausanne, Ashiya, Philadelphia & Amsterdam
15. They are Ours The Seven Sunflower Paintings
Chronology
Endnotes
Bibliography
Index
Picture Credits
Acknowledgements
MARTIN BAILEY is a leading specialist on Van Gogh and an arts journalist. He is a London-based correspondent for The Art Newspaper. Bailey has curated several exhibitions on Van Gogh including one at Tate Britain in 2019. His books include The Sunflowers Are Mine: The Story of Van Goghs Masterpiece, Studio of the South: Van Gogh in Provence, Starry Night: Van Gogh at the Asylum and Van Gogh's Finale: Auvers and the Artist's Rise to Fame.
