Butterflies and poppies

1889 Find this painting on the map

The influence of Japanese art on Vincent's work is clearly present in this work. The vivid red poppies and the pale yellow butterflies float on the surface against a yellow-gold background. Although composed of natural motifs, van Gogh's layering of pattern in Butterflies and Poppies suggests a decorative quality like that of a textile.

Vincent used a much thinner paint application in this painting than he normally did. The only thick areas are in the butterfly wings and flower petals. The left whole areas of the canvas were left unpainted.

Current location: Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam