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SunflowersVincent van Gogh

Post-Impressionism

Sunflowers

by Vincent van Gogh, 1888

The National Gallery, London
Listed as not on display when we checked

Artist
Vincent van Gogh
Date
1888
Medium
Oil on canvas
Size
92.1 × 73 cm (36.3 × 28.7 in)
Period
Post-Impressionism

What you are looking at

A bunch of sunflowers, some in full bloom and some going to seed, stand in a yellow vase against a yellow background, painted in thick strokes of many yellows.

Why it is famous

Van Gogh painted his still lifes of sunflowers in Arles in 1888 to decorate the room of his friend Paul Gauguin, who was coming to stay, and made repetitions early in 1889. Versions hang in museums in London, Amsterdam, Munich, Philadelphia and Tokyo.

How big is Sunflowers?

Sunflowers measures 92.1 × 73 cm (36.3 × 28.7 in), without its frame. Its surface is about one and a half times the area of the Mona Lisa.

1.7 mSunflowersMona Lisa
Drawn to scale next to a person 1.7 m (5 ft 7 in) tall, with the bottom of each painting at floor level. Frames are not included.

Compare it with other paintings

Where to see it

The National Gallery in London has one of the August 1888 originals, and it is free to visit. The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam has a January 1889 repetition.

The National GalleryLondon, United KingdomListed as not on display when we checked
Museum website

Museums move and lend paintings. Check the museum's website before you travel to see one work. See all famous paintings in London.

More by Vincent van Gogh

The Potato Eaters by Vincent van GoghThe Potato EatersVincent van Gogh, 1885 AmsterdamSelf-Portrait with a Straw HatVincent van Gogh, 1887 New YorkCafé Terrace at Night by Vincent van GoghCafé Terrace at NightVincent van Gogh, 1888 OtterloThe Night Café by Vincent van GoghThe Night CaféVincent van Gogh, 1888 New Haven, ConnecticutThe Bedroom by Vincent van GoghThe BedroomVincent van Gogh, 1888 AmsterdamStarry Night Over the Rhône by Vincent van GoghStarry Night Over the RhôneVincent van Gogh, 1888 Paris

All Vincent van Gogh paintings

Also at The National Gallery

The Arnolfini Portrait by Jan van EyckThe Arnolfini PortraitJan van Eyck, 1434 LondonThe Ambassadors by Hans Holbein the YoungerThe AmbassadorsHans Holbein the Younger, 1533 LondonThe Hay Wain by John ConstableThe Hay WainJohn Constable, 1821 LondonThe Fighting Temeraire by J. M. W. TurnerThe Fighting TemeraireJ. M. W. Turner, 1839 LondonRain, Steam and Speed by J. M. W. TurnerRain, Steam and SpeedJ. M. W. Turner, 1844 London

Frequently asked questions

Who painted Sunflowers?

Vincent van Gogh painted Sunflowers in 1888.

Where is Sunflowers?

Sunflowers is in The National Gallery, London, United Kingdom. The museum listed it as not on display when we checked, so confirm before you travel.

How big is Sunflowers?

92.1 × 73 cm (36.3 × 28.7 in). Its surface is about one and a half times the area of the Mona Lisa.

What is Sunflowers made with?

Oil on canvas.

Sources: The National Gallery, "Sunflowers" (NG3863); Wikidata Q157541; Wikipedia, "Sunflowers". Checked October 17, 2026. How we check.

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