Vase with Zinnias and Other Flowers 1886

Vincent van Gogh created this oil on canvas painting, titled "Vase with Zinnias and Other Flowers," sometime before his death in 1890. While the artwork is a still life, we can still consider the social conditions that shaped its production. Van Gogh was famously part of the post-impressionist movement, which rejected the academic standards of the French Salon. These artists often sought to depict modern life and subjective experience, rather than adhering to traditional subjects and styles. Still life painting has long been associated with the academy. Flowers in particular evoke themes of temporality and beauty, and are a safe subject for artists seeking to gain acceptance. It’s interesting to consider, then, how Van Gogh’s choice of subject and style, while seemingly traditional, were actually quite radical in their time.