What you are looking at
A bed of purple irises with twisting green leaves fills the canvas, with one white iris on the left and red earth below.
Why it is famous
Van Gogh painted it in May 1889 in the garden of the asylum at Saint-Rémy, in his first days there. In 1987 it sold at auction for a then record price for any painting, and the Getty Museum acquired it in 1990.
How big is Irises?
Irises measures 74.3 × 94.3 cm (29.3 × 37.1 in), without its frame. Its surface is about one and a half times the area of the Mona Lisa.
Compare it with other paintings
Where to see it
It is at the Getty Center in Los Angeles, which has free admission (parking is paid).
Museums move and lend paintings. Check the museum's website before you travel to see one work. See all famous paintings in Los Angeles.
More by Vincent van Gogh
SunflowersVincent van Gogh, 1888 LondonAll Vincent van Gogh paintings
Frequently asked questions
Who painted Irises?
Vincent van Gogh painted Irises in 1889.
Where is Irises?
Irises is in the J. Paul Getty Museum (Getty Center), Los Angeles, United States.
How big is Irises?
74.3 × 94.3 cm (29.3 × 37.1 in). Its surface is about one and a half times the area of the Mona Lisa.
What is Irises made with?
Oil on canvas.
Sources: Wikidata Q2282256; Wikipedia, "Irises". Checked October 17, 2026. How we check.