Spring has been a source of inspiration to all artists throughout the ages. And nothing says Spring like the vibrant beauty of flowers. With their vibrant colors, and incredible variety of intricate patterns, Nature has designed the ultimate attraction in flowers. Whether outdoors in gardens, or indoors in vases, flowers have always been one of the most popular subjects for artists everywhere, hobbyists and professionals alike.
Here, we'll take a look at 3 artists who have often used flowers as inspiration for some of their best known paintings.
Claude Monet - 'Water Lilies'
Claude Monet’s series of 'water lily' paintings are among his most recognizable works. Monet produced more than 250 oil paintings of scenes from his flower garden in his home in Giverny, France. Many of his best know works were painted during the last 30 years of his life, while he suffered from cataracts. Doubtless, this condition may account for the 'Impressionistic style of his paintings that is a 'trademark' of his artistic output.
Inspired by the sheer beauty of Spring, the colors Monet used to create 'Water Lilies' are rich and vibrant. Impressionist artists often depicted an entire landscape vista. But here, Monet makes his water lilies the entire focus. Monet shows us that it's 'color' that matters!
Vincent Van Gogh - 'Sunflowers'
Vincent Van Gogh’s Sunflowers refers to two different series of still life paintings by the Dutch artist. The first depicts flowers lying on the ground, while the second, better-known series, depicts a bouquet of sunflowers in a vase.
The vivid yellow hues used in his 'Sunflower' series was only made possible by the invention of new pigments. An interesting aside, Van Gogh's friend, Paul Gaugin, created a portrait depicting Van Gogh at work painting his sunflowers. Van Gogh dismissed the portrait, claiming that he felt Gaugin had portrayed him as a 'madman'.
Andy Warhol Flowers
Andy Warhol’s series 'Flowers' includes ten screen-prints based on photographs taken (some might say 'appropriated') by Patricia Caulfield. Using Caulfield's photos, Warhol 'reimagines' her images to make his own artistic statement. Here, he has flattened the flowers to basic shapes and colors, and diminished all detail to basic graphic patterns. Warhol’s treatment of in 'Flowers' highlights their 'geometry' to create a 'graphic experience.
