Field with Flowers 1888

Vincent van Gogh created this drawing of a field with flowers with pen and ink. The field in the foreground is filled with flowers, perhaps irises, symbols of hope and faith, a concept inherited from the Virgin Mary and the goddess Iris of Greek antiquity. Notice how the artist's hand translates not just what he sees, but also what he feels: flowers are more than botanical details. The drawing is like an archetypal garden of the soul, with dark blooms in the foreground. These contrast with the tower rising in the background, a silent witness, a symbol of stability and endurance. Think of the medieval hortus conclusus, the enclosed garden, a sanctuary for contemplation and spiritual awakening. Now consider the artist's mental state: is this field a reflection of inner turmoil, a battle between darkness and light?