Wild Roses

Although this picture of wild roses may look very pleasant and peaceful, Vincent van Gogh was suffering a severe mental crisis at the time he made it. Vincent had entered the psychiatric clinic in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence as a voluntairy patient, hoping to find peace there. As soon as he could, he went out into the gardens to paint or draw.

The fragile blossoms are painted in a naturalistic manner. The grean leaves, however, are treated differently. Vincent has turned them into flat areas of plain colour, surrounded by heavy blue outlines.